Following the disappointment of the previous weeks narrow defeat to London Scottish, a Watford side showing 7 changes in personnel were hoping to get back to winning ways. With conditions much more suited to fast paced running rugby, Watford were keen to implement their new game plan and put some league points on the board.

The home side started like the proverbial house on fire, dominating territory and possession. Hancock and Routley were industrious in the loose, Holloway at centre always a threat in his first appearance of the season. With 8 minutes gone, Menzies punished French indiscipline with 3 point – no more than Watford deserved.

Despite Watford enjoying the majority of possession and territory, French looked dangerous with the ball in hand. A French foray into Watford territory saw the men in red stray offside, an excellently struck penalty bringing French level.

This wasn’t to last for long, Watford immediately back on the attack and opening their try scoring account after a typically destructive run from Sam Holloway with a conversion added by Menzies. Routley then bulldozed over from close range, before Wilkinson dotted down following a period of sustained pressure.

Half time, Watford 22-3 up and looking for a bonus point in the second period.

The home side picked up where they left off, Braun and Bram at half back controlling the tempo with aplomb. Despite this, it was the visitors who opened the scoring with their only try of the afternoon following a terrible bounce of the ball which wrong footed the Watford backfield cover. Not to be deterred, the home side went in search of a fourth try which was duly delivered via a fine solo effort from Wilkinson. The cherry on top came with Routley’s second thanks to an excellent offload from substitute McClennon.