In what is an always competitive league, the home side knew nothing less than maximum points would be acceptable from the first fixture of the 2016/17 campaign. Despite early flashes of promise however, the home side got off to a less than auspicious start when skipper George Hicks and vice captain Peter Giddings were forced from the field injured.

Thankfully this did little to deter Watford, with the more experienced players in the ranks stepping up to the plate and leading by example. After an early wobble in the set piece, the Watford pack turned up the pressure at the scrum and enjoyed complete dominance until an injury to the Enfield tight head led to uncontested scrummaging mid way through the first period.

The home side were in control in terms of possession and territory, however the opening score continued to elude them. There were some exceptional performances being put in, stand in skipper John ‘Skinny’ Portway leading by example in both attack and defence along with eventual man of the match Jack Beynon who was having an increasingly influential game.

The pressure eventually told, a loose clearance kick gathered by replacement James Horrocks who showed an excellent turn of pace to score his first of the afternoon. Hopkins dusted off the 9 iron and delicately chipped in the conversion (winning your scribe a free pint from 1st team 10 Simon Bram in the process), Watford 7-0 up. 7 almost immediately became 12, Horrocks again scoring this time from about 30 metres out. The hat trick was soon wrapped up, James tackled on the line but reaching out to dot down and complete a highly impressive 1st half hat trick.

The home side were 19-0 and in control, Enfield defending manfully but struggling to repel the constant red white and blue wave. Tom Kiely cut an excellent line to score Watford’s 4th (though the arms out glide to the line left a lot to be desired), half time score 24-0 to the home side.

The second half continued in much the same way as the first, however credit to Enfield who never let their heads drop and battled to the end. Horrocks scored his 4th after a dummy, swiftly followed by a try for prop JR Greyling who some assumed would have been in rugby self exile after the thumping South Africa took earlier in the day ;-). Greyling saw yellow soon after for leading with an arm when carrying the ball, Enfield coming back to score a couple of tries which their performance and attitude deserved. The day however belonged to Watford, Horrocks capping a fine individual display with his fifth try and the afternoon. Some say it should have been six, allegations of jug avoidance are yet to be proven.

All in all, an excellent result for the seconds who are beginning to show the results on the pitch that their consistent efforts in training deserve. Provided the senior squad remain injury free, the season has real potential.

This weekend the second XV travel to Fullerians for a league game, 3 pm kick off.