Watford Gain Losing Bonus in Heartbreaking Loss

On a bitterly cold, windy day Watford arrived at Thamesians on a high having beaten Hendon the the previous week. Despite missing a few players we were confident of getting a result - perhaps too confident.

It was clear from when we turned up that Thamesians were more than up for the game, well into an intense warm up before we had even left our cars.

This translated to the game, with a switched on Thamesians scoring almost immediately for a 5-0 lead. Watford were shaken and not themselves, Thamesians strike runners too often breaking the gain line to leave the visitors exposed and vulnerable.

The visitors gradually managed to get a foothold in the game. Solid scrummaging and mauling made inroads, before a chip ahead by Braun was recycled. Watford pick and drives were halted just short before a penalty was conceded by the visiting side for not releasing in the tackle. The next play probably summed up Watford's afternoon.

The entire Watford side aligned assuming Thamesians would kick for touch. Instead the home side tapped and went, spreading the ball wide immediately and breaking down the opposite wing from which the penalty was taken. Some excellent support and offloading saw the Thamesians second row break away to score a great team try from their own line. Credit to the home side, however Watford should be kicking themselves having turned their backs regardless of where on the pitch the penalty is to be taken. Watford's cause wasn't helped with Jon McClennon leaving the field after taking a blow to the head in the build up.

12-0 down, Watford finally upped their game and a series of drives took them into Thamesians territory. The home side were caught offside at the breakdown, and knowing he had free ball to play with Simon Bram hoisted an up and under into the Thamesians goal area. Richard Yates was quickest to react, dotting down for Watford's first points of the afternoon.

Having been under the cosh, the visitors were now most definitely in the ascendancy. A dominant Watford scrum resulted in a penalty under the sticks which was duly converted by Bram for a 12-8 score at half time.

The next score was sure to be crucial, and fortunately Watford were the beneficiaries. A storming, physical run from Sam Holloway saw him hauled down just short of the line. With options either side, Ian Butcher found Sean Silver who slipped between two would be tacklers to dot down. Extras added, Watford were now in the lead for the first time.

Momentum is a funny thing, and having registered on the scoreboard three times without reply Watford soon added another score when Martin Lee dotted down after an excellent rolling maul from the visiting pack.

In a topsy turvy game, Watford were now 20-12 up. Having battled incredibly hard to get themselves back into the match, the visitors looked to consolidate rather than push for the bonus point. A long range penalty was excellently slotted by the Thamesians kicker to bring them within five, both sides pushing themselves to the absolute limit in terms of physicality and commitment.

With ten minutes left, Thamesians bought themselves level after a well executed rolling maul saw them score in the corner. Thankfully the conversion was narrowly missed, leaving the scores tied at 20 each.

With no time on the clock, the game looked to be headed for a draw. A Thamesians scrum on the half way line wheeled round, which perhaps should have resulted in a reset and Watford put in. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, and the Thamesians 8 picked from the back to break free, the Watford back row out of the picture thanks to the wheeled scrum. Despairing Watford cover wasn't enough, a couple of deft offloads from contact meaning a Thamesians try under the posts for the win and the bonus point with the last play of the game.

All credit to Thamesians, who played very well and thoroughly deserved the win. Another costly game for Watford in terms of injuries, McClennon, Philpott and Martin Lee joining the sick list after a hard fought and very physical match.

The men in red must pick themselves up now for a cup semi final at home to Barnet this Saturday, kick off at 2 pm.