Doesn't Matter, England Won

With England having beaten New Zealand in a World Cup for the first time ever earlier in the day, emotions were naturally running high at Fortress Radlett Road. As hosts, we entered into the party atmosphere by generously giving Actonians a four try 0-26 lead. Bafflingly, our visitors didn’t reciprocate the favour and as such Watford found themselves staring down the barrel after only 20 minutes.

All credit to Actonians who arrived switched on and started the game like a side with serious intentions of immediately rebounding back to HM1. The visitors turned down a number of kickable penalties, either running the ball or opting for lineouts despite some miserable conditions for running rugby. Watford struggled (at first) to cope with the pace of the match and failed to react to some fairly relentless and direct carrying.

Thankfully, having had our wake up call, Watford gradually established a foothold on proceedings. The set piece was pretty dominant, scrum and lineout running along nicely. Powerful and direct carries were causing Acton trouble and with a few minutes left of the half the hosts found themselves driving a maul inexorably into the opposition 22. Momentum was halted, but quick thinking from Ben Wilson at 9 saw him pass blind to Martin Lee who barrelled over for Watford’s opening score. 5-26 at half time.

With Actonians and the referee seeking sanctuary from the elements at half time, Watford proved that we are double hard by standing in the driving rain during the break. This seemed to work, as first Cirigliano danced his was through before Lee added his second from a trademark set piece move. With a comeback on the cards, Actonians took their first shot at goal of the afternoon after a Watford offside before extending their lead further with an opportunistic breakaway try. Spoilsports.

Despite time running out, Watford continued to attack and Nwefo scored his fifth of the season after a typically searing break down the wing. Needing two scores to win, Watford threw the kitchen sink, house cat, television and Andy Lee at Actonians who were unfortunately able to hold firm until the final play where the Watford pack had the emphatic last word with a fine pushover try from a 5 metre scrum. Wilson dotted down from 9 through the no 8’s legs… people have been hung, drawn and quartered for less.

So, a tough opening 20 minutes before a cracking 60 minute comeback which come close, but no cigar. 5 tries apiece, unfortunately for Watford we decided to make life tricky by dotting every try down in the corner. Given the conditions, pretty much anyone would have struggled to slot anything that wasn’t 5m either side of the post. Except maybe Scott Menzies, but he’s running around Japan in his pants at the moment.

Week off, world cup final. Which almost certainly means everyone will wake up on Sunday feeling infinitely worse than they would have done if we had a game.

Club open from 8 am, all are very welcome to join us!

MOTM – Martin Cunningham. Part of a brilliant forward effort, carried and tackled with great physicality.

WOTW – More boots than Walgreens (google it).