Having not played Bank for a number of years, Watford weren’t sure what to expect. However, given that the visitors had narrowly been relegated during the previous season we knew we would be in for a battle.

A strong wind was blowing across the pitch, Bank winning the toss and opting to play with it at their backs in the first period. Within the first two minutes Jon McClennon had to leave the field of play with a broken finger (classic sub dodging Japir), unable to return once said digit was manhandled back to its rightful place. Tart. Dave Kingsford came on as a replacement, looking to continue his fine form from the previous 2nd team match.

Watford struggled to get hold of the ball during the opening exchanges, Bank opening the scoring with a textbook move from their back line putting their full back under the sticks. The opposition seemed to have done their homework on Watford, the set piece a fairly even contest and the visitors constantly looking to disrupt the men in red at the breakdown. The home side lacked their customary aggression (perennial pest Dunners aside who was given a warning in the first 5 seconds), Bank fully capitalising by fair means or foul.

The visitors back line were looking particularly dangerous, the hosts perhaps lucky that the half breaks created didn’t always go to hand. Watford eventually dragged themselves back into the contest, Greg Reeve leading by example with some fierce hits from the wing. The home sides scrum began to crank it up, a steal on a Bank put in 15 metres out seeing the Watford pack approaching the visitors line at a number of knots. Despite going forward, the men in red were instructed to use the ball. No 8 Martin Lee picked and went – what looked like a terrible cock up when he got tackled and lost the ball was in a fact a pre planned set move known only to himself and Bees, who swooped on the loose ball for Watford’s opening score. Kicking into the wind, Wilkinson narrowly missed for 5-7.

For the remaining time Watford enjoyed a much greater share of possession and territory, helped rather than hindered by playing into the wind. Bank were unlucky with a couple of clearance kicks going the entire length of the field, handing Watford the advantage. However, Bank were to have the last say of the half scoring with an almost identical try to their opener to lead 5-14 at the break.

Despite being down, Watford were most certainly not out and knew it would be a different proposition in the second half with the wind at their backs.

The home side were a changed outfit in the second period, Simon Bram masterfully pulling the strings at fly half with a textbook display of tactical kicking. Watford looked to play the percentages, a strong kick chase and pressure on the opposition lineout paying dividends. Martin Lee opened his account for the afternoon by peeling off the back of a maul to score, Wilkinson slotting a tricky conversion to bring Watford within two.

Bank appeared rattled, and other than a missed penalty struggled to get out of their own half. The home side were much improved at the breakdown, and with Bank unwilling to kick into the wind were able to force two penalties which were duly converted by Wilkinson to put them in the lead.

Head Coach Mark Trude decided to bring Andy Lee on, Horrocks moving from the centre to back row. The two were key parts of Watford’s 3rd try, a fine break from Horrocks resulting in quick ball out to Lee who offloaded to the onrushing Sam Holloway to score from close range. Wilkinson’s boot was red hot, and he soon followed his conversion with a 3rd penalty to give Watford some breathing space.

As always, bonus points win prizes and with ten minutes remaining Watford surged forward in search of a fourth score. A kickable penalty was won, Captain Hammill trusting his pack and opting for the lineout rather than posts. The Watford forwards duly obliged, James Powell helping to drive Martin Lee over for his second and Watford’s fourth of the afternoon.

Despite the bonus point and game being in the bag, the home side refused to let up and immediately went on the attack from the restart. A Bank infringement 5 metres from their line saw a Watford penalty given, Ian Butcher tapping and going knowing this was to be the last play. A visiting player looked to take Butcher out from an offside position, all players stopping and looking to the referee to give another penalty. Instead, advantage was played with Butcher scampering over for his first score of the season during the last play of the game.

All in all, an excellent opening win for Watford against a very strong Bank side who will no doubt be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. Next weekends fixture see’s the 1st XV travel up the road to Mill Hill.

MotM – Greg Reeve. A beacon of hope.

WotW. Jon McClennon. A beacon of shame.