Watford made it four out of four with a fine win over old Verulamians. It was the first league game of the season, and both teams were desperate for a good start to their campaign. It was Watford who started the stronger of the two side, fullback Dunlop cutting a lovely line to open the scoring for the home side with Bennett adding the extras for 7-0 after just 5 minutes . Ovs came back at Watford, the home sides defence held strong with flanker Jenkins stealing the ball and popping out wide to Diston who showed great speed and vision to run the length of the pitch and score in the corner 12-0. Watford continued their good start with the home sides pack driving OV’s over the try line, man of the match Jenkins grounding the ball 17-0 . Just before the break the away sides fullback scored a well worked solo try and converted to make it 17-7.

The home side began the second half well with winger Tucker hammering his way through several defenders to offload to in form prop Wilson who grounded to made it 22-7. Watford eased off and Verulamians made them pay with two quick well worked tries, one of which was converted to make it 22-19 and put themselves back in the game . Watford realised that they were in trouble of throwing away a three try lead and picked up their game. Replacement number 8 Martin Lee scored a fine try by smashing through the visitors defence to score under the posts 27-19 . Watford scrum half Hopkins showed why he is in the side with a perfectly weighted box kick which he chased down and caught before the away sides fullback could get near him. Bennett added the extras 34-19. Watford ended the match with another try this time from skipper Hicks who received the ball from Hopkins and went over the line under the posts, sealing victory for Watford 39-19

Starting line up

1.C. Routley
2.G. Wilson
3.Hicks (C)
4.Zelenkevich
5.Beynon
6.Jenkins
7.Bridge
8.Godfrey
9.Hopkins
10.Bennett
11.Tucker
12.Portway
13.Cox
14.Diston
15.Dunlop
16.M. Lee
17.A.Roughtley

Man of the match
Mike Jenkins

Tries
Diston
Dunlop
Hicks
Lee
Wilson
Hopkins
Jenkins
Bennett 2 conversion