Mon Dieu

With both teams at the foot of the table, this was always going to be a tough, nervy encounter. Watford’s side once again showed numerous changes from the previous week, Hilly, Tathan, Jack Upton, Roelfy, Liam and Clenners coming into the squad. With a solid warm up behind us, we did what we always seem to do and almost immediately went behind to a well worked individual score form the French centre. Thankfully this didn’t deter us from the task in hand, and we worked our way back into the game. The set piece, whilst solid, wasn’t as dominant as we have come to expect against French from previous encounters, the home side clearly having added some strength up front.

Watford began to get a foot hold in the game, Tathan directing things well from fly half while the Watford ball carriers were eager for work. After multiple phases the ball was worked wide to Bees who showed great speed and no little strength to force his way over the line for our opening score. Josh nailed a fine touchline conversion before adding a penalty to give us some breathing space. Watford were playing well, cohesive and structured rugby seeing them winning the battle for the gain line as well as enjoying the majority of territory and possession. Bees soon struck again on the opposite wing for a similar score to his first – barrelling through two would-be tacklers to dot down in the corner, Wilkinson missing the conversion.

French struck back with a score of their own before Josh weaved his way over from halfway for a fine solo score (had he not after ignoring Yatesy in acres of space he wouldn’t have been a popular boy). Disaster however struck for the Watford full back, the ball falling off the tee in the strong wind. With time running out, Josh went to take a drop goal and somehow managed to injure his knee to add to the ever-growing list of absentees. The injury has been confirmed as a partially torn ACL, we all wish Josh a speedy recovery and hope to have him back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Things went from bad to worse for Watford, hero and all-round good guy Martin being sent for 10 minutes on the naughty step for an accidental high tackle before being followed by Holloway after persistent team offending in our red zone. French scored with the final play of the half, we were up 22-17 but down to 13 and Josh injured.

The numbers game told, French adding a quick-fire two scores before Watford were back up to their full complement meaning our indiscipline cost us three tries. Despite being back up to full strength we were clearly tiring, however no Watford side lacked heart and admirably led by Captain Clenners we ground our way back up the field determined to get something from the game. The 4 try bonus point was secured when Liam forced his way over after a series of drives form the pack, Taters nailing his touchline conversion to bring us within 9.

With time running out, Watford launched a series of drives into French territory looking for one more score to get us within 7. The home side were repeatedly penalised for foul play, Watford tapping and going in an effort to get over the line. Martin Lee looked to have crossed on the final play, however the referee deemed it to be unclear as to whether or not the ball had been grounded (it had) and sin binned the French hooker for killing the ball on the line. From the subsequent penalty the ball unfortunately was turned over, French kicking it out to seal their first win of the season.

MotM – Luke Bees. 2 tries and a solid all-round contribution.
WotW – Martin Lee. Costly yellow card.