So, 3 losses from our opening 3 games. The all too familiar feeling of coming up just short in a game we probably should have got something out of – if not the win, then certainly a try / losing bonus (or indeed both).

Before the whistle things didn’t get off to the best start. The warm up was lethargic and as a team we didn’t seem at all switched on – Saracens on the other hand were changed and on the pitch before half of us had even turned up. After the first ten minutes though, you wouldn’t have known which team were given a ticking off for their lackadaisical attitude and which were out and ready to go an hour and a half before kick off.

Watford flew out of the blocks, running hard and clearing breakdowns swiftly and physically. Whilst not as dominant at the set piece as we had been during the previous couple of games, we had parity and a solid base to continue to launch attacking plays from. Watford soon had a chance to open the scoring, Saracens straying offside at the ruck. The penalty unfortunately drifted just wide, however the home side soon opened their account for the afternoon. A cracking touch finder from Bram saw Sarries penalised at the subsequent lineout, skipper Hammill indicating we would once more go for the corner. From the subsequent set piece, Ricky Flint was driven over for his first of the season. Extras missed, 5-0 to the men in red, white and blue.

As we knew they would, Saracens came back into the game strongly. Their fly half looked particularly dangerous with the ball in hand, controlling the game well and always looking to step and go himself. With the game being evenly contested in the middle of the park, the visitors looked to move the ball wide. Given the slightest hint of space, the opposition winger showed a great turn of pace to fly up the touchline and dot down under the sticks for 5-7. Things went from bad to worse for Watford, in-form prop Luke Bees forced from the field with an ankle injury leading to a re-shuffle in the pack.

With Bees off the park, Saracens started to gain the upper hand at the scrum and enjoy a greater share of territory and possession. Pleasingly for Watford there was no panic in the ranks and whilst we were at times stretched, the defensive line remained intact and we were finally able to clear our lines after a Sarries nudge through was marked.

The tables turned, Watford finally getting back into the game and working their way into the Saracens 22. Unfortunately a spilled ball at the breakdown with the line in sight led to lightening counter attack and a fine solo score for the Sarries fly half after a chip and chase. Half time soon followed, 5-14 to Saracens in an enthralling and evenly contested game.

Knowing that a quick start to the second half was key, Watford were almost immediately on the scoreboard from the re-start. A fine hanging kick from Simon Bram was expertly taken by Luke Hammill who broke through and offloaded to Jon McClennon on the Saracens 22. With Tom Gordon flying up from the wing to offer support, the pass just failed to go to hand leading to a Sarries scrum on their own 5 metre line. Watford’s day was probably summed up by what happened next, rather than kicking clear the Sarries 8 picked and offloaded to their flying winger who went the length of the field to score a converted third try for the visitors.

Fortunately our heads didn’t go down. A break from Martin Lee saw Sarries pinged at the subsequent ruck, Bram knocking the ball to the corner. Watford once more went for the drive. Saracens second row seeing yellow for a high shot on Mike Jenkins. Unfortunately our execution let us down at the subsequent lineout, but the home side weren’t to be denied and Paul Dunlop added Watford’s second score following a concerted period of pressure on 57 minutes.

Watford continued to defend stoutly, however the game was taking its toll on us physically. Clenners left with a neck injury meaning further re-shuffling of the pack, man of the match Josh Wilkinson shifting to wing with a knee injury hampering his mobility. Saracens fly half continued his fine form with the boot striking a penalty from the left touchline to edge them further ahead for 12-24.

We refused to give in, continuing to take the game to the opposition in an attempt to gain something from the match. An altercation off the ball saw players from both sides exchange pleasantries and how do you do’s, and while Martin and Skinny heroically distracted most of the opposition Jack Bearne strolled through to score under the sticks and make things interesting – 19-24 with ten minutes left and Watford in sight of a fourth try as well as a win.

It wasn’t to be. The Saracens 10 and winger combined once more with the latter showing that there is no substitute for gas at any level to add his sides 4th try and kill the game off with a well worked score (chip and chase once again). Conversion added for a perfect day off the tee from the Saracens fly half, final score 19-31 to the visitors.

Ainsley was a relatively happy man after the game. We used the new defensive patterns and showed up well at the breakdown. People stood up to be counted despite many of the team playing injured or out of position. That said, once again we competed well in a game but failed to take anything out of it and the league table doesn’t make for pretty reading.

Things are in our hands – the performances are there, and a win surely can’t be far off. Two more games until a well earned week off starting away at Wasps this weekend 3 pm kick off.

MOTM – Josh Wilkinson. Always a willing runner, returning Sarries kicks with interest.

WOTW – Georgio Pitsialis – Forgot he was playing rugby and headed the ball.