Already missing a number of regulars due to injury, Watford got off to the worst possible start when form full back Josh Wilkinson was forced from the field with a nasty cut to his mouth after a clash with Ian Butcher. Josh’s Mum must have been thrilled to spend her afternoon in Mount Vernon having travelled all the way down from Warrington to only see two minutes of rugby. Josh’s Dad realised the game would be more entertaining than stitches and decided to stay to watch the mighty Wats. Good man.

The Watford pack was it’s usual effective self, completely dominant in the scrum and forcing a number of penalties up front. The referee had eventually seen enough, the Chess Valley flanker given a ten minute breather for kicking the ball from the back of the scrum as Watford drove forward. The visitors capitalised on their numerical advantage, quick lineout ball off the top seeing centre Sam Holloway make a storming burst down the middle. Finding himself up against the full back, Sam selflessly passed to centre partner James Horrocks who ran in the opening score under the sticks. Silver stepped up to nail the conversion in Wilkinson’s absence, 0-7 Watford.

One soon became two, the Watford pack doing what it does best and with Chess knowing further infringements risked yellow cards Hammill picked and drove over to score.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Watford struggled to break down a resilient Chess defence, who were showing a great improvement from the two sides meeting the previous year. Likewise, when Chess had the ball Watford defended stoutly - Ian Butcher was particularly impressive making a number of telling hits and even the odd turnover.

Valley eventually got a foothold in the game, tight carries around the breakdown earning them good field position deep in Watford territory. The visitors line remained solid, man of the match Jon McClennon putting in an excellent defensive shift. From a relatively innocuous position, Watford suddenly found themselves reduced to 14 men with skipper Luke Hammill sent to the bin for not rolling away from the ruck much to the bemusement of the away support. The home side capitalised with a converted try of their own to make it a one score game.

Despite Hammill’s binning, Watford were able to add a third once more thanks to the work of Greyling, Wilson and Nelson up front (plus the other four) with the referee awarding a penalty try after another dominant scrum from the visitors. That proved to be the final act of the half, Watford needing one more try for the bonus point but Chess Valley far from out of it.

With Hammill back on the field, Watford pushed hard for the vital fourth score and eventually got it thanks to an intercept from Holloway. Valley almost immediately struck back with a try of their own, before Holloway added a second after fine interplay between the visitors forwards and backs.

With 15 minutes left, Watford emptied the bench and introduced Yates and Pie to the fray. Within a minute, Pie managed to lean on at least two rucks (a personal best) before channelling the Pie of 2013 and throwing his trotter / meat-hook in defence of a pest that didn’t need defending. Yellow card (despite missing once again), automatic WOTW (saving Hammill) and the easiest £3 in subs the club will ever make.

Incidentally, Yatesy played well during his cameo making a number of telling tackles from the wing.

Final score 12-33 to Watford – a far from vintage performance, but a bonus point away from home is always a good result.

MotM – Jon McClennon. Made lots of tackles
WotW – Pieface. Made no tackles.