With both sides taking maximum points from their opening fixtures, the game was always going to be closely contested. Not only this, but Saracens professional side hosted Worcester in a pre season friendly beforehand meaning Watford had a large, hostile crowd to contend with – game on!

With the formalities over, a pumped up Sarries side came out all guns blazing. Watford were caught napping at the breakdown almost immediately, and were relieved to see a penalty for holding on drift narrowly wide.

The home side were a team possessed, clearly motivated by the excellent support they were receiving. Saracens soon went ahead, their full back showing quick feet to just dot down in the corner. In an impressive afternoons kicking display which ultimately won his side the game, he then scored a touchline conversion to leave Watford 7-0 down.

The home sides back three worked well together as a unit, always looking threatening with the ball in hand. With this in mind, Watford were attempting to push up quickly in defence in order to cut off their service. Unfortunately this tactic didn’t always work, a dogleg giving the Sarries full back the space to score in the corner and once more convert for 14-0. Watford’s cause was further damaged when Paul Dunlop had to leave the field due to a back injury in the build up to Saracens try.

The crowd were rocking, the scoreboard ticking over at an alarming rate and Watford’s shock was in danger of turning to despair when a third try was scored (and miraculously unconverted) to leave them in danger of being cut adrift at 19-0 down.

However, no Watford side has ever lacked heart or desire, and with their backs against the wall the visitors gritted their teeth and ground their way up the field. A much improved work rate at the breakdown ensured cleaner, quicker ball was generate with James Powell and Luke Hammill both carrying strongly. As always, the Watford scrum was in top form and the visiting sides pressure at the set piece began to tell.

A Saracens offside 5 metres out gave the visitors their first real sniff of the try line. After two resets, a third Saracens infringement was rewarded with a penalty try which was duly converted by Simon Bram for 19-7.

Watford’s power game was clearly unsettling the home side, and the visitors grew in stature as the first half went into the final five minutes. A storming break from Hammill saw him felled with a high tackle just short of the line earning a 10 minute break for the offender and a penalty for Watford. The red, white and blue scrum sparkled (not a word commonly associated with forwards) once again, skipper Martin Lee benefitting from a push over try on the stroke of half time.

So, 40 minutes gone and the scoreboard read 19-12 to the hosts. Two very contrasting styles making for an enthralling game which could have gone either way in the second period.

With their tails up and Saracens down to 14, it was crucial that Watford scored the first points of the second half. Unfortunately, a long range penalty was conceded and duly converted to extend the Saracens lead.

The theme of the game was clear. Saracens looked to work the ball wide at every opportunity, blitzing the breakdown and then looking to release their pacey back line. Watford, entirely dominant at the set piece looked to force penalties at the scrum or use their rolling maul to make ground. However, the visitors next scoring opportunity was generated after a fine break from Andy Lee saw him pulled down by his hair just short of the line. Fortunately he wasn’t scalped, and in a call which shocked no one the decision was made to take a 5 metre scrum. Once more Saracens folded, once more Martin Lee benefitted from the work of his tight five to score his second push over try of the game. A fine conversion from Simon Bram bought the visitors to within 3 points.

The home support had gone eerily silent, though the physicality of the game was taking its toll. Both sides had to ring the changes, players regularly down requiring treatment. With 15 minutes left, Watford once more forced a scrum penalty and the ball was fired to just outside the Saracens 22. In a supreme display of power and control, the Watford pack (and Sean Silver) mauled their way over the line, Martin Lee once more piggy backing off fine work from his forwards to score his hat trick. Bram nailed another conversion, and Watford were ahead by four points having been down and out at 19-0 earlier in the game.

With 10 minutes left, both sides were out on their feet. Rather than continuing to attack, Watford instead looked to hold onto their lead and invited Saracens to attack them – something which ultimately cost them. The home side twice came close, the supporters finding their voice and exhorting their side to greater efforts. The visitors defended valiantly, exhausted and battered players dragging themselves off the floor to make one more tackle, desperately looking for the final whistle. With minutes left, Saracens back line once more clicked into gear to score a well worked try and break Watford hearts. The closing minute was played out in the middle of the park, a knock on ending an absolute stormer of a game.

MotM – James Braun. Shifted around in the back line, but kept his head and was brilliant in both attack and defence. Quick feet and never say die attitude epitomised the Watford come back.

WoTW – can’t pick anyone after that effort. Special mention to Scott Menzies who travelled down from Nottingham at late notice to help the side out after we suffered a few late withdrawals. Meant we were able to have two subs rather than just a front row Sanch (he will say what more do we need..), and played very well when replacing Dunners.