Watford 2s Win First Preseason Game

The mood was jubilant at Radlett Road before the game at Radlett Road on Saturday as the WRFC players prepared for their first game after a long break against Saracens Amateurs. The 2s took to the field with 7 debutantes in amongst the old heads in what was a very promising opening performance.

After a slow warm up and a first team talk from new Captain, Liam Meredith, the 2s took to the field and were 7-0 up inside the first minute thanks to a great score from debutante Koye Baboye. The ball was caught off the kick off by Steve Boughton and moved along the line to Baboye who tore through and went from his 22 to under the oppositions posts, where Clancy knocked over the conversion.

This early try woke Sarries up and they answered back with an unconverted try of their own. Both sides were producing some hard and physical rugby, with both sets of forwards running some direct lines, leading the charge for Watford were Steve Boughton, Zak Wilkinson, Charlie Shaw and Sam Matthews. The Saracens scrum was certainly proving troublesome for the Watford pack, as they won 3 penalties with some great shoves. The Watford backs showed their usual style, backed up with the direct lines of Jamie Jardine at 12 and Hadyn Cole controlling the back at 15.

Watford scored their second try through prop forward Chad Bekker. The ball moved from the left touchline to find Meredith in the midfield, the number 8 surveyed his options and decided a chip over the top was the best decision. The groans from the touchline quickly turned to cheers as Meredith regathered his kick and beat 2 players, before offloading to the supporting Bekker who gleefully went over for his first try of the campaign. Clancy converted.

End of the first quarter.

The second quarter started with a Sarries try, a poor clearance kick was gathered by the Sarries back rower and he put on some great feet to work his way through for a score.

Watford answered back with a cunning try from new boy Simon Graham, he caught the defence napping and went through the line on a quick tap to score. Clancy missed the conversion.

Andy Lee entered the fray and began to wreak his usual amount of hard running havoc upon the Sarries defence, after intercepting a line out he charged forward 30 metres and produced a great offload to Boughton who duly scored under the posts. Clancy converts to finish the game 26-12.

A great start for the 2s and special mention to all the debutantes and man of the match, Sam Matthews, who at 17 years old, looked like he'd been playing senior rugby for years.

*Debuts:

Charlie Shaw
Jamie Jardine
Zak Wilkinson
Sam Matthews
Hadyn Cole
Simon Graham
Koye Baboye