Despite missing a number of their first team backline, the hosts began at a ferocious tempo. The pack were aggressive at the breakdown, giving clean ball to scrum half Ollie Hopkins and fly half Simon Bram whilst the set piece was as reliable as always. After a series of strong carries, Bram fed centre Ian Butcher who ghosted through the middle of the park to score under the posts. The extras were added, putting Watford 7-0 up with just over 5 minutes played.

From the restart, the hosts were almost immediately back on the attack. Andy Lee made a typically bullocking run through the middle of the park, before being hauled down. Isleworthians were guilty of infringing at the breakdown, and the subsequent penalty was rifled into the corner. From the resulting lineout, Captain Martin Lee crashed over the line for the home sides second score.

Unfortunately for Watford, they were guilty of easing up and Old Isleworthians gradually began to get a foothold in the game. The visitors enjoyed the majority of territory and possession for the last ten minutes of the half, Watford exhibiting the strong defence which ad been such a key part of their victory away at Thamesians the previous week. The half time whistle came, 12-0 Watford at the break.

The home side came out of the blocks strongly for the second half, and went back to the consistent and measured phase play which had served them so well in the opening salvos. Unfortunately for Watford, centre Andy Lee left the pitch with a recurrence of a knee injury, leading to second row James Powell moving out to the centres. Powell looked far from out of place in the back line, and was on hand to feed Scott Menzies for a simple finish. Extras added, Watford were 19-0 and within sight of a 4 try bonus point.

They almost had it in spectacular fashion immediately from the restart. The kick was gathered by Luke Hammill, who went on a barnstorming run up the pitch before being hauled down by the Isleoworthians cover defence. Unfortunately for Watford, they coughed up possession whilst in the visitors red zone and were almost immediately punished. A raking clearance kick found Watford on the back foot, hooker Laurence Philpott winning the race to gather possession.

The home side were perhaps guilty of attempting to over complicate things at times, and were not helped by injuries which disrupted the flow of the match. Isleworthians grew in confidence, and were rewarded with a score next to the posts. This roused Watford who reverted to all out attack for the final minutes, knowing that in such a tightly contested league a bonus point would be crucial. Desperate Isleworthians defence resulted in a Watford penalty, which was kicked to touch. From the resulting lineout, No 8 Lee peeled from the back and was just bundled into touch before dotting down. The referee announced that the next play was the be the last of the game, and Watford looked to have missed out on taking all 5 points. However, the visitors hooker overthrew the ball, Martin Lee winning possession and driving over the line to secure a dramatic fourth try.

Watford can be pleased with their efforts, especially considering the number of personnel unavailable. However, there must be a considerable improvement if they are to continue their push for a second successive promotion.

Watford 1st XV: Bees, Philpott, Nelson, Kingsford, Powell, Hancock, Hammill, M. Lee, Hopkins, Bram, Diston, Butcher, A. Lee, Bennett, Menzies

Subs: G. Wilson, Jenkins

Tries: M. Lee x 2, Butcher, Menzies

Cons: Bram x 2

Man of the Match: Laurence Philpott. Highly consistent in the set piece, always reliable throwing into the lineout. Showed up well in the loose, making a number of carries whilst typically strong at the breakdown. Showed great pace to cover kick over the top.