Despite the absence of a number of front line players, the hosts were able to field a strong side and were confident of getting a result. The opening ten minutes of the game showed Watford were right not to be overawed by Thamesians dominant start to the season, the home side enjoying a huge amount of possession and territory. The men in red’s control was exceptional, strong direct running being well supported by dominant and aggressive rucking. Credit to Thamesians who defended stoutly, Watford not getting the points their bright start deserved.

With Watford pushing hard in the opposition 22, they unfortunately conceded a penalty for side entry at the ruck. With everyone anticipating a kick to touch, Thamesians tapped and immediately moved the ball out wide to their electric winger who stormed into Watford’s half. A fine covering tackle from Josh Wilkinson stopped him, the visitors unfortunately scoring off the next phase moving the ball swiftly to the opposite side of the pitch. Extras from their usually reliable kicker missed, Watford 0-5 down.

Taking heart from the opening 10 minutes, Watford came back strongly. The highly experienced (old) front row of Greyling, Wilson and Nelson were enjoying the upper hand against the big Thamesians pack, and it was from a dominant scrummage in the middle of the park that the hosts struck back, a superb set piece move releasing Greg Reeve up the wing. Reeve still had much to do, showing excellent speed and strength to finish in the corner. 5-5.

The back and forth nature of the game continued, Thamesians hitting the upright with a penalty from half way. Watford returned the ball with interest, Sam Holloway smashing through would be tacklers every time he had the ball in hand ably supported by Messrs Greyling and McClennon in the carrying stakes.

It was Thamesians who scored next, their winger once more showing excellent footwork to score in the corner. Disaster struck for Watford soon after, a terrible bounce from a kick wrong footing Wilkinson and Silver for the visiting sides 3rd. Thamesians went on to wrap up the bonus point, their 8 throwing a dummy from the breakdown to go through the middle and score under the posts.

Half time came, Watford 4 tries to one down and shell shocked. The two sides had appeared evenly matched (as they have done for the last few seasons), the main difference being the visitors clinical finishing whenever they were in the opposition 22.

Fired up for the second half, Watford flew out of the blocks with Reeve scoring his second after another barnstorming break from Holloway. Extras added by Wilkinson, Watford had a sniff. Unfortunately that was all it would be, Thamesians striking back 5 minutes later with their fifth score out wide.

Wilkinson, enjoying a rich vein of form, scored a try of his own to drag Watford within sight of a try bonus which no one could deny their performance deserved. The home side hammered at the line, a personal highlight for the massed ranks on the touchline being Greyling taking a crash penalty and absolutely flattening the would be first up tackler. Thamesians conceded numerous penalties in their red zone, all necessary but one would argue a yellow card would have been warranted given the proximity to the line in which the penalties were conceded. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for Watford, the visitors having the final say with a score of their own.

Watford can be heartened by their performance, Thamesians are definitely one of the strongest teams in the league this year and will certainly be there or thereabouts come the promotion deciders. There is no reason that Watford won’t be there with them provided we push on and learn from this weekend.

MotM – Sam Holloway – always willing with the ball in hand, carried with strength and purpose
WotW – Ian Butcher – Kicked the ball backwards