Despite missing influential skipper George Pieface Hicks, Watford fielded a side showing a very healthy blend of youth and experience (in hindsight, ‘healthy’ probably isn’t the right word to describe the more experienced / older / veteran players). Black Horse cantered into town on the back of some fine form having conceded only three tries all season, narrowly losing by a nose to table topping Fullerians the previous week. Watford knew they were sure to be in a fierce contest.

With the going good to firm, conditions were conducive to a fast paced game which was sure to suit the home side given the pace lurking on the wings in the shape of Henry and Ben. With both sides jockeying for possession and territory early doors, the Horse trotted over to open the scoring and soon followed it up by hoofing a penalty over. This only served to gee Watford up, centre Andy Lee throwing opposing players out of his way with reckless abandon. After one such run Andy’s knee decided enough was enough and expanded to grotesque proportions. Had he been a (Black) horse, he would undoubtedly have been shot there and then on the field. Thankfully Physical Tom is a physical and not a vet, and decided ice and a breather would be better suited to Andy’s recovery than a bullet.

Rather than be deflated at the loss of Andy, Watford were galvanized. Funclecreed came on and showed some lovely touches in his first outing for 62 years. With the home sides scrum completely dominant and winning all of their own ball, the message came from the sidelines to stop running into players (booooring) and start looking to put some width on the ball. We actually listened, the ball worked wide to Henry who galloped over the line for the opening try.

Watford soon followed up with a second, Funcle with a precision grubber into the corner picked up by youngster Ben Barnett to score a great try on his first team debut. The men in red were definitely in the ascendancy, Henry in particular looked threatening every time he had the ball in hand. Indeed, it was a break from Henry which nearly got Watford their third score however he fell at the final fence. After some deliberation, it turned out the fall was in fact a trip from a Black Horse player who was given a ten minute breather for his hay-nous indiscretion.

Watford were unfortunately un(st)able to capitalise on their man advantage, half time score 12-8 to the hosts in a very even and hard fought contest.

The half time message was simple – carry on what we were doing, make the tackles on the big Black Horse runners but the mane thing was to continue to work hard at the breakdown in order to ensure our pacey back line got clean ball. Were we going to let them back in it….? Neigh!

It was Watford who opened up the scoring in the second period to give themselves some breathing space. Stand in skipper Martin Lee peeled off the back of a maul and immediately tweaked his hamstring. His confusion at being in space with no one near to run into was obvious, but despite his gammy leg he was still quicker than Skinny and scored the home sides third.

Black Horse rallied and came back strongly, looking to reign in the home side. This was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of Watford’s game, a wall of 15 heroes ensuring the stable door remained firmly shut to keep out the constant waves of equine pressure. Strong work at the breakdown from man of the match Jenks led to a Watford turnover, the ball being hoofed down the ground. Fly Half Ollie Hopkins was first there, gathering the loose ball to canter over for Watford’s fourth much to the jubilation of home players and supporters alike.

With time running out, Watford knew the win was in the (nose) bag. In what rounded off a superb day, returning hooker Ricky Flint found himself with some space in the middle of the paddock. Ricky stoically plodded over, nary a facial expression to be seen as he dotted down to cap a stunning display from Watford.

MotM – Mike Jenkins. Awesome all action display, carried hard tackled everything and constant menace at the breakdown.
WotW – Ollie Hopkins. Kicked the ball backwards in our own 22. Silly Billy.