Phase 1 Rounded Off With Bonus Point Win

As with all games played since the turn of the year, Watford found themselves having to work hard on a very heavy, boggy pitch which did little to encourage the faster, wider game we have been looking to implement this year. That said, the visitors flew out of the traps and were on the score board within the first two minutes. Strong carries from Sam Holloway and James Horrocks led to a simple finish from supporting full back Josh Wilkinson, who added the extras for a 7-0 lead.

This roused OI’s, who knew they had to beat Watford in order to secure a top six place in phase 2. A series of strong carries were well repelled by the men in red, who scored a second through Sam Holloway almost immediately after regaining possession.

Whilst Watford looked the more threatening when they had the ball, OI’s enjoyed the greater share of territory and possession during the remainder of the 1st half and were rewarded with a try after several pick and go's around the breakdown. Half time score 14-7 to the visitors.

With memories of last weeks challenging Uxbridge game fresh in their minds, Watford knew a strong start to the second half was key. OI’s likewise knew the importance of the first score in the second period, and duly sent their restart straight to Watford’s Lilliputian hooker Sanchez Philpott. In one of the greater shocks of the day, Sanchez deftly stepped past the onrushing OI’s players and found himself in an acre of space with the try line beckoning. A single shaft of sunlight split the otherwise murky day, illuminating Sanch’s grimacing face as he lurched towards the distant nirvana of the Isleworth try line in a scene reminiscent of Willow & Kaya’s reunion at the end of 80’s fantasy epic ‘Willow’. A combination of fatigue and indifference finally caught up with the Mexican lothario, and he passed to Dunners who finished the move off with aplomb. Three tries for Watford, and their 10th four try bonus point in 11 games was beckoning.

Watford were now looking the more threatening of the two sides, and as Isleworth tired the visitors seemed to grow in strength. A flowing move compromising of multiple offloads (despite the team being under strict instruction not to offload under any circumstances) saw the ball held up just short of the line. Watford’s pack forced a penalty at the ensuing scrum, and rather than opt for a second set piece the ball was quickly worked wide to Holloway who dotted down for his second of the afternoon. Wilkinson, enjoying a fine day with the boot, slotted the extras and Watford now had daylight between themselves and the hosts.

Martin Lee added a score from the customary five yards, before Holloway completed his hat trick by cutting a fine line through the OI’s centres. With the game done and dusted, Isleworth scored a try in similar fashion to their first after Holloway had been sent to the bin for not retreating 10m from a penalty (and suplexing the opposition player as they attempted to take a quick pen), before a charge down was gathered by substitute Dave Kingsford who finished strongly despite the close attention of two defenders.

With time almost up, Watford decided to unleash their secret weapon and Pieface was introduced to the fray. At the first scrum, the OI’s prop was heard to comment ‘bring back the other one, this guy’s sh*t’ much to the amusement of those within earshot. Determined to get his revenge at the next scrum, Mr Face bored in at an obscene angle right under the referees nose (still got shoved backward) and gave away a penalty from which Isleworth scored with the last play of the game.

A good showing from Watford, when it worked it worked fantastically well. When we gave the ball width we looked dangerous, and were generally patient and organised in defence. The next phase will sorely test us, but promotion is in our hands – win every game and we will go up.

No match this weekend for either side, so a great chance for the whole club to come together for the opening weekend of the six nations - plus we celebrate Pie, Dunners & Arron's birthdays. See you all there.