Go West

The visitors were able to field a strong side with front rowers Luke Bees and Laurence Philpott returning from long term injury to add ballast to the pack, while the back line featured three of Watford’s promising colts players including debutant James Redding. With a pronounced slope on a heavy but narrow pitch, Watford attacked down Everest in the first period. The Watford pack were completely dominant at scrum time, with Weston perhaps having the edge in the lineout. The opening exchanges were a close fought affair, both sides putting in considerable hits to pressurise opposition ball carriers.

Watford had the edge at the breakdown, Sean Silver kicking excellently out of hand when the opportunity arose to give the visitors the advantage in terms of territory. A series of scrums in the Weston 22 eventually coughed up the first score of the day, the home team spilling the ball under set piece pressure. Flanker Adam Radish Hancock reacted quickest, showing excellent knowledge of the laws to gather the loose ball and ground against the post. Extras added, 0-7 Watford.

Despite going behind, Weston were not deterred and came back strongly with Watford doing well to scramble and defend impressive breaks by the 7 and outside centre. Credit to wingers Richard yates and Ben Barnett who defended stoutly under pressure. Weston gradually worked their way into the Watford half, the visitors scrum once more getting them out of trouble. It was from a turnover scrum that Watford next threatened, Lee feeding to stand in 9 Steve James who made a typically evasive run deep into opposition territory. Unfortunately the visitors were unable to capitalise on Jamesy’s fine work, and the score remained 0-7 at half time.

Captain Birds-Pie reminded the team that it was all to play for in the second half, especially given that we would now be fighting our way up Mont Blanc rather than running downhill like cheese rollers at Coopers Hill. Our inspirational leader also cunningly dodged paying full subs by taking an extra 3 minutes to change his boots due to a blister.

Despite the slope, Watford managed to hold firm and repelled an opening barrage before slowly grinding their way up the slope. A deft grubber from Silver forced Weston to carry over, some very dubious refereeing at the scrum meaning Watford coughed up a penalty and allowed the hosts to clear.

The men in red were not to be denied however. Despite Bees and Sanchez taking breathers, replacements Greyling and Pitsialis continued the set piece onslaught and turned over a Weston scrum in their own 22. Jamesy reacted quickly, a classic show and go giving him a try his performance deserved.

The final 20 minutes were a dog fight, with things becoming increasingly sloppy as players from both sides tired. Young Andrew Cutler was particularly impressive during the closing exchanges, carrying hard around the fringes and showing up strongly in defence – definitely one to watch for the future. With time on the clock up, Weston’s danger man at 13 finally broke through some tired Watford defence to score under the sticks with the last play of the game.

All in all, a great result for a very young Watford team away to a side in the league above. Provided numbers at training remain high, there is every chance the 2nds will be competing strongly at the business end of the season.

Watford: Bees (Greyling 40), Sanchez (Pitsialis 35), Pieface, C. Routley, Bridge (Clarke 30), Hancock (Bridge 50), Cutler, Lee, James, Silver, Yates, Bearne, Upton, Barnett, Reading