Same old Story

Based on the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Watford were expecting Barnet to attack through their pacey back line whilst the hosts looked to win the battle up front. Things panned out as expected, the Bees and Radish enjoying the upper hand at the scrum while the Watford lineout was generally a source of clean, quality ball for the home sides back line. The opening score came from the lineout, Martin Lee hitting a gap to score from 10m out. Extras missed, 5-0 Watford.

This roused Barnet, who came back strongly and enjoyed a sustained spell of territory and possession within the Watford 22. Desperate defence from the home side maintained the slender lead, Barnet coming particularly close with a driving maul that the Watford pack did well to disrupt. Eventually the dam burst, Barnet scoring opening their account with a converted try and soon adding a penalty after Watford strayed offside.

The home side struck back, solid carrying from the pack who were well marshalled by Jamesy and Dunners at 9 & 10 saw us back into Barnet territory. With the guests being pinged for an offence at the breakdown the ball was rifled into the corner. Regular Watford supporters over the years knew what was coming and the set piece duly delivered a second for Lee. Dunners nailed a fine touchline conversion to give us a 12-8 lead which we maintained until half time.

The game was a fantastic contest between two evenly match sides. Watford were confident at half time, and knew the game was there for the taking should we continue our set piece dominance.

Barnet came out of the blocks quickest at the referees whistle and spent the opening 10 minutes of the half laying siege to Watford’s line. Thankfully the men in red white and blue held firm, solid work at the breakdown from hooker Ricky Flint winning turnover ball on a number of occasions where the dam looked ready to crack. From one such turnover we cleared our lines and the game began to take place in Barnet’s half rather than our own. Great pressure from Hammill and Dunners forced a Barnet fumble within their 22. The Watford pack did what Watford packs do, and ground their way towards the line. Martin picked and powered over from the base to complete his hat trick, Dunners adding the extras for 19-8.

Unfortunately we took our foot off the gas and switched off at the re-start. The visitors secured possession, a chip from the base of a ruck catching us flat footed. Jamesy was well placed to cover but unfortunately slipped, Barnet’s fly half gratefully gathering to score under the sticks for 7 points.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side, Jack Upton seeing yellow for side entry at a breakdown within the Watford red zone. Despite losing Jack we reacted well, looking to play the match in Barnet’s half and run the clock down on the sin binning. Forwards and backs all involved themselves in looking for work, a series of tight carries seeing us inch inexorably towards the line. Unfortunately the try wasn’t forthcoming, Barnet turning us over to score and give themselves the lead. Things went from bad to worse, Barnet adding a penalty before rounding things off with a final try to mean Watford came away from a tight game with nothing on the league board.

Fine margins decide matches at this level, as a side we still are slightly naïve when it comes to closing out tight matches like this. The effort is there, provided we stick together and work hard there is no reason things can’t be turned around in the new year.

Thanks to Barnet for a great game played in the right spirit.

Finally, Merry Christmas to all and thank you for your continued support of Watford RFC. Things start again on the 6th January 2018 away to Saracens Amateurs.

MOTM – Martin Lee, owes the pack a few beers.

WOTW – Josh Wilkinson. Burned on the outside by a rotund gent.