WRFC hosted a fantastic match between Francis Combe and St Michaels on Saturday 5th May. A close fought encounter between the two schools saw Francis Combe wining by 17 points to 14.
Watford under 8's went in to the Hertfordshire County Tag Rugby Festival hopeful of success in their last competion before they move up an age group. They were drawn in a pool with Royston, Bishops Stortford, Letchworth and Fullerians (the hosts). All of these clubs are bigger than Watford and have a larger player base. Watford made a winning start against Royston and then went on to beat Bishops Stortford, Letchworth and then drew with Fullerians. This meant that they were there pool winners and went through to the semi finals of the main competion, where they were to meet Old Albanians. Although they put up a good fight Watford lost the game to what turned out to be the eventual winners and county champions. It was a great effort by the whole squad who proved that although they were playing for a smaller club they had a great team spirit and were a credit to their coaches Simon Prout and Mark O'Shaughnessy. Squad: Max Gilbert, Harry O'Shaughnessy, Henry Capell, Aidan Tearle, Dejon Noel-Williams, Patrick Addison, Johnny Stangroome, Christopher Haydon, Jack Garvin, Joshua Maney, Fabrizio Beardwell, Jordan Emmanuelle, Michael Griffiths, Oliver & Hugh Vickers.
Watford Under 8's travelled to Worthing on Sunday to enter their Mini's Festival. With over 1,500 hundred children playing in all age groups from Under 7 - Under 12 Watford knew that they would be facing some very stiff opposition. With 16 teams entered into the Under 8's age group Watford's pool consisted of themselves, Tunbridge "B", Sevenoaks and Brighton. With these clubs having a much bigger player base than Watford it was a real credit to the squad that they managed to win all of their group games and progressed to the semi final of the main cup competition.
Wasps kicked off to start the match, and after the first five minutes Watford gradually gained control of the match and were pushing up to the Wasps 22 yard line. Watford were awarded a penalty 15 yards in from touch and decided to tap and run and go for the try. Wasps forwards defended stoutly and the move was repelled. 2 Minutes later Wasps again conceded a penalty, this time 22 yards out, but right in front of the posts. Again the tap and run and again Watford failed to score. A third penalty was awarded, and this time Watford elected to kick for goal, from out on the left near touch, but the kick was wide. Wasps regained ground and at this point both teams had chances to score, but it was Wasps who made the breakthrough with 3 minutes to go to half time, when they were awarded a try after it seemed that Watford had held the ball up. Wasps duly converted the try. The half time sore was 7-0.
Herts Middlesex U16 Div 4 Last seasons U14’s are now fielding a joint age group in the Herts and Middlesex U16’s Division 4. The first match of the new season started with a home win against Ealing B. After a cagey first five minutes Watford increasingly gained in confidence and although possession was shared took the game into the Ealing half. The first score of the match came after 23 minutes when Ealing conceded a penalty for tackling a player without the ball. Ben Green duly slotted the kick between the posts.
Watford continued to press forward and were rewarded when Matt Williams crossed the line for the first try of the new season, and Ben Green increased the advantage with a conversion. The match was not all one-sided and after 33 min Ealing scored a try after a short line-out, which was duly converted. Watford increased their lead with a try in the last play of the half through Will McManners. The half time score being 15-7 to Watford.
