Match of Our Lives

Following a very successful year with arguably one of the strongest and most consistent 2nd teams our club had managed to field in years. Watford’s 2nd XV (led by captain Andy Lee) managed to fight their way into the final of the Herts merit cup. Our opponents – the incredibly strong OA 5th XV.

A strange scenario where Watford were marginal favourites – a pleasant change. The team boasted a quiet confidence with a side full of future first team talent, all thanks to the great work from Andy in bringing in young players and playing them together, building their confidence so one day when they would be given the reigns of the first team and be able to continue pushing the club forward.

As with all cup finals we of course got a coach to the ground, Bramley Road home of Sarries Ams. Naturally Watford bought the biggest crowd, thankfully with the full support of the 1st XV (in body at least as they started drinking at about 11am).
The warm up started just like any other day with the old school on the try line as a team, stretches, with our then head coach Dave Ainsley getting everyone hyped up and knowing their specific job roles. It wouldn’t of been a warm up without our young fly half Mcgoo having his standard pre game nervouse chunder. Luckily as we had seen this many a time no one was worried - this was just his ritual.

The game started similarly to a lot of games that year, some messy play leading to a lot of set pieces. Due to a lack of size in our pack it was expected that OA’s would be the dominant force in the scrums especially while there ‘bigs’ were fresh at the start. This was apparent when we were dominated in the scrum for the first 10/15 mins. Prop Mal and stand in prop Sedge did their best to hold the opposing powerful scrum, however with abundance of young players behind them in the set piece quickly found they were fighting a losing battle. Fortunately for our team we knew that this was not our strength, and that with the ability/fitness/work rate and skill that we so clearly had the upper hand on the opposition we would get our chance eventually, we just had to defend hard and bide our time. This was very much led by our captain Andy lee in the centres alongside the tackling machine that was Brauny, it’s fair to say that between these two’s power speed and ability to read the play, OA’s soon discovered that constantly going through the middle of the park was going to be a very long and unsuccessful (not to mention painful) day. Solid as ever they nullified every play. Forcing them to try and play a lot tighter. This required our young flankers to be on their game. Luckily we had two absolute workhorses in Aaron Connolly and TJ Bernarius and jack Stevens in the row, not to mention one of the best defensive minded players in Georgioooo stepping in at Hooker. Between these 4 the OA’s players were outclassed in work rate and speed shutting down every one of their attacks until a mistake was made.

In comes the experience to the game, whenever there was a turnover our two vets leaped into motion Theo our 9 controlling the forwards and getting quick clean ball and our 8 the legend that is Gary Bridge diving on every loose ball controlling and setting up clean ball for our 10 Tom McGee to clear into touch, this of course was when our ‘number 1 kicker’ Gary bridge could not clear it himself.

Off the back of great physical defence and clearances such as these we finally managed to gain a foothold in the game with some outstanding line out work from our main jumpers TJ and Aaron as well as some impressive lifting work from Steve Hill, Mal and Jack Stevens, not to mention the darts from Sedgely. This allowed us to finally bring in our greatest attacking weapons in our backs, with all the shots being run by fly half Tom McGee. The first few carriers were from our centre resident bulldozer Andy lee carrying strong with the honey badger that was Brauny always in close proximity to either kill someone in a ruck or get the offload from his centre partner.
As OA’s were so focused on tackling the big centre many times he did manage to get the offload with Brauny then releasing the speed in back three members Scotty Menzies, Afro Jacob or the head down powerful runner in Simon Tucker.
Although there were a lot more glimpses of the game opening up and Watford being in the ascendency the score line stayed 0-0 after a failed penalty attempt by the opposition. This was followed by working our way back up into the OA’s half and leading to a penalty. A rare missed kick at goal from a difficult position by Tom did lead to a lot of pressure and a sliced clearance kick by the opposition.

Over to the big boys, throughout the season with the coaching of Ainsley the forwards were deadly from line outs so close to the oppositions try line. We had a line out 5 metres out, cometh the hour, cometh the man, Gary Bridge ran a perfect colts ball to dot down in the corner for our first try. Rumour has it that it was Mr Bridge who taught Martin Lee all about how to perfect this move and it was this match that inspired Martin to make it one of his most deadly scoring methods.
Back to normality with Mcgoo slotting a difficult kick from the touchline taking it to 7-0 to the red white and blues.

OA’s could feel the game slowly sliding in Watford’s favour so decided to have a big lift and really come at us, the next 10 mins or so were an onslaught of big carries from both teams, managed very well by both defences however we started to see the the big OA pack flag. This led to their 10 to start playing more of a kicking game to pin us back, however very well dealt with by our back 3 sending it back up the pitch, obviously when the back 3 were on chase the more experienced players stepped into cover, this as previously mentioned is where the string of 3/4 (to be fair not too shabby) clearance kicks came from our 8 Mr bridge.

OA’s ball on our 22, they spun it wide and with great pressure from Brauny blitzing in the outside channels they missed a pass and the ball was recovered by Scotty popping the ball up to Jacob and his dancing feet. The ball was then recycled and the Watford team showed their skill with some amazing hands from one touch line to the other where winger Tucker dotted down in the corner for Watford’s 2nd try. Again Mcgoo slotting to bring the score to 14-0.

Andy Lee wanted us to go into half time with the opposition on 0, so made it very clear to play territory and play in their half.

Straight from the kick off the ball was recycled and spun to Mcgoo followed by Andy, who took it upon himself to put boot to ball and pin them back. Releasing speedsters Scotty and Jacob to either recover the ball or in the words of the supporters ‘kill’ whatever poor soul was to pick it up. The unfortunate full back must have heard these war cry’s (most likely from pie and co) and under great pressure from Watford outside backs he missed the ball and then panicked, booting the ball over his own try line. With the direction of running in our favour the only thing that was to be decided was whom would be the one to dot it down for Watford’s 3rd, the kick favouring Jacob he pounced on it just to the left of the posts, following another great kick the score was 27-0.

OA’s again came out strong with one of their best attacks getting the ball wide where they had a 3 on 1 with Scotty, luckily for us Braun dog was in full hunt mode diving at the ball carrier, tackling and making him fumble the ball. Jacob on hand to clear the ball with Menzies on chase, a beautiful bounce landing in Menzies arms who looked like he was going in for the 4th try of the game, if not for a heroic tackle by a covering OA’s player taking him into touch.

Half time Watford 27-0 OAs

The start of the second half started, OA’s under pressure to score quickly. The Watford supports were drinking everything in sight, a few of them maybe tipping over the edge. Us players only noticed this when the OA’s supporters and players were accusing us of loading our team with 1st XV players (of which was absurd as they were all on the side-line). Of course our supporters were going to speak up and correct them that they were on the touch line all watching.... would it be Martin lee big man that a lot of teams recognise from seeing him sit people down..... would it be Markus who stands at 6’7 and 24stone.... or maybe Hammil who looks like a specimen of a rugby player traps bulging.... or one of the smallest 1s players, our winger who had had one to many ciders...... yep you guessed it, it was of course Joel Gilmore who looked them in the eye and announced himself as a 1st team player so the side couldn’t be possibly loaded. This brought a slight smile and look of amusement to the opposition supporters. Luckily backed up by all the big boys surrounding Joel they did eventually believe them.

The game started to get a little messy with the knowledge that we had both speed and fitness over our opposition. We knew it was our game for the taking, especially with the additions of two very strong forwards coming on to replace Mal and injured Jack Stevens, introducing Paul Wilson and Paul Godfrey (RIP good friend) who both managed to start turning the screw in the scrums against their tired pack, and start bringing in a bit more aggression in the contacts. They also bought a sense of calmness to a young team, that you only get with experience. Instantly we were on the front foot with a cracking couple of breaks from flanker TJ, linking up with fellow junior team mate Brauny for what looked like a certain try before a very cheeky call for a pop by the OA’s number 8 (ex-Watford player Stuart Williams) who received the ball and cleared the lines. A lucky get away this time.

For the foreseeable future we were camped in the oppositions 22, knocking at the door multiple times. A piece of brilliance again attempted with a lovely grubber kick by Bridge, unfortunately cleared by their centre. Another line out routine this time putting Andy lee and Tucker up the middle of the park, into a bit of a maul that sucked their players in leaving space outside. Following a lovely signature dive pass from Theo at 9, the ball was spun out and winger Scotty Menzies dotted down in the corner for Watford’s 4th, again slotted by Mcgoo on fire with the boot since that first penalty.

The next substitution came when Jacob went injured being replaced by skinny who moved to wing and Scotty to full back.

The game started to get a bit feisty, it wouldn’t have anything to do with the trio of subs in this half of Wilson Godfrey and skinny..... But we knew it was going to be a fight and fair play to OA’s they fought till the end even though the game looked well beyond them.

Skinny instantly was taking numerous big carries down the wing. Watford now trying to look at holding possession more (directions from coach and captain) the recycled ball got popped to Brauny who continued to do his famous sideways crab across the pitch, but with his speed and power broke through a gap for another dangerous attack. Unfortunately the subsequent pass didn’t go to hand and one of their players picked it up and were off for the corner. Luckily WRFC saw an incredible recovery, diving cover tackle and turnover, one of the many in years to come from the beast that is Georgiooo. (Much to the amusement of Ainsley who clapped!!!! .... I know instant recognition!! It’s in clear view on the video) what followed was a bit scrappy and a charge down on Tom, but recovered by Watford passed around and eventually cleared by none other than Bridgey the Boot, again!

Aaron this time going up and stealing the line out, sending the ball to the floor to be popped up by Theo to another unlikely kicker in skinny who put his foot through the ball sending it from one 22 to the other. Followed by a crunching hit from our 10 Mcgoo, and turnover from Andy Lee, the ball was then spun out to Tucker hurling down the wing. Tackled feet from the line and trying to offload to the ever supporting Aaron Connolly who was unable to keep control.

With the excitement of the win coming ever closer the crowd were loving life, a bit too much for some people, i.e. Dave Jamesy who from the footage seemed to be on the pitch more than some of the players.

The opposition managed to drive down the middle of the park and were awarded a penalty just outside the 22 for their efforts. Coming to the conclusion that the win may be out of their grasp they decided to go for a penalty kick, slotting it and taking them off of the dreaded nil. 28- 3. With pride coming into factor now the OA’s team stepped up forcing us to get a bit tougher in defence. Unfortunately for us that led to a yellow for Simon Tucker. At this point OA’s pilled on the pressure and through a few penalties and lack of discipline managed to score a consolation try, fair play to them they kept pushing. Unconverted score at 28-8.

Under a small flurry of late pressure they were in our half more than we would of liked late on in this game, however we managed to clear our lines and with a good chase tried to keep them pinned in their 22. Since Wilson came on in the front row getting a bit more aggressive on their scrums and solid on ours, Georgio was released into the flank clearly happy that he was back in his position he really started to shine. Despite being 2 players down at the time (as someone was also down injured) against all odds and to top of the brilliant game Georgio found the ball in some space darting past 2 defenders to dot the ball down behind the posts for our 5th try, converted by Tom 35-8.

OAs had a scrum centre field which looked like they were having one big last push, winning and giving them good front foot ball, strong darting run by their winger gave them good field position. Until once more the back row partnership teamed up on him with Aaron smashing and none other than Georgio doing what he does best and turning the ball. Back down the pitch with one last flurry it looked like another score would be on the cards for the leading Watford team however a ball going to floor instead of hand 5m out meant we were not destined to have another. Ball into touch and final whistle blown.
Watford 2XV 35 - Old Albanians 8
Merit cup winners..... Watford 2nds!!

Coach and captain post match interview:
Dave Ainsley - “absolutely fantastic, tops off a great season... worked very hard for it, worked for every penny”
Andy Lee - how do you feel? -“f**ked mate”
Man of the match - Georgioooooo Pitsialis
Honourable mentions:
Andy Lee - leader, massive carries and tackles
TJ & Aaron - incredible work in the lineout and work rate around the park
Tom Mcgoo - perfect goal kicking and game management
Gary Bridge- everywhere on the park and great kicking