Watford 2nd XV 22 - 22 Fullerians - 28/01/06 |
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Watford's skipper Thompson won the toss and decided to play against a strong wind blowing up and down the pitch, this decision set the template for the game which turned into a classic game of two halves. Due to the strong wind Watford immediately found themselves under pressure and they had to defend a series of lineouts and scrums on their line.They fought hard initially though Fullerians tall outside centre was able to muscle through some weak tackling to the left of the posts after about 10 minutes...
The conversion was added to give them a seven point lead. Watford were finding it extremely difficult to clear their lines due both to the heavy wind and Fullerian's agressive opening play. Mid way through the first half the problems intensified as fly half Adam Creed had to leave the fray due to a rib injury, Tom Smith came on to make his debut for the club in difficult circumstances and Adam Johnson gamely took over the kicking duties. Watford conceded two further tries and a penalty in the first half to hand Fullerians a respectable 22 point lead at the interval. Though they had conceded a substantial deficit they battled gamely throughout and held up attackers over the line on at least two occasions. Both centres, Burgess and Johnson, who always looked capable of breaking tackles, and number 8 Olsen had made great surging (though unsupported) breaks that were pluckily snuffed out by the excellent Fuller's full back. Unfortunatley whenever Watford did break from deep in their own half they either contrived to lose the ball or were penalised, enabling the Fuller's 10 to plant lengthy kicks into the Watford corners placing them firmly on the back foot. At half time the feeling in the Watford camp was that a three try deficit was not insurmountable and that if they played in the Fuller's half points sufficient points would gradually be accumulated. From their kick off Watfords' pack rampaged forward and managed to force a turnover, immediately belief surged through the side and they ran through many phases of play testing the Fullers defenders. After about five minutes Olsen managed to surge over from the back of a ruck to add the first score for the home side, Johnson was unable to add the two points and the score was now 22-5 to Fullerians. Watford were able to sustain their attacking impetus, though unlike Fuller's in the first half they were unable to camp on the opposition line and were having to use their backs and attack from deeper rather than rely on the wind. Andy Lee, to add to his excellent work in the lineout was now carrying the ball forward whenever possible and after one of his breaks Andre was able to carry on the move and juggle the ball Harlem Globetrotters style above his head before remembering to ground it over the whitewash. Johnson was able to add an excellent touchline conversion (dropkicked due to the lack of a tee) and this took the home side within 10 points of their local rivals with about 15 minutes remaining. With it being a local derby Fuller's weren't going to let their rivals have it their own way and crucially they managed to enjoy a 5 or 10 minute spell of pressure on the Watford line, however though the home side were battered they didn't yield a try, as even though Fuller's made it over the line the referee judged that there had been a forward pass in the movement. Left winger, Wilson who had been able to exhibit flashes of his pace throughout made a break from midway inside his own half before involving Johnson who was able to offload to Smith who galloped down the wing before grounding under the posts to score on his Watford debut. Crucially the conversion was missed with the score now 22-17 to Fullerians. The referee signalled that there was only four minutes remaining of the game so Watford desperately needed to regain the kick off and attack their opposition. This they managed to do and launched themselves towards the Fullerians line. They were awarded a penalty which was kicked long to force a line out right on the Fullers line ensuring a frantic but absorbing last couple of minutes. Watford battered and probed at the line only for the defenders to be penalised on no less than 5 or 6 occasions for offences around the ruck or offside. Just when it looked like the full time whistle would sound or Watford would knock the ball on, the referee awarded a penalty try for 'persistent infringment in the final five metres'. Watford were elated however they still had a conversion in front of the posts which would have given them victory. Inexplicably Johnson skewed the kick onto the upright and it tantalisingly bounced away from the posts rather than through them. In his defence he is not a front line kicker, had had a fine game and had just kicked an outstanding touchline conversion without which the sides would not have been level. In the final analysis credit must be given to the Watford pack who set a secure platform throughout and were able to steal some against the head, they tackled ferociously and both second rows achieved above parity in the line out battle. Skipper Thompson was pleased with the spirit shown from his side not just in the stirring fightback but also in the first half when they were seriously under the cosh and could have been put out the game by Fullers'. He is though, left scratching his head as to why the team continue to start so slowly and seem to be happy to concede leads that mean they're always playing catch - up. With two draws in the last three games let's hope they can be converted to victories and that the second half of the season comes to life just like the first quarter did. Watford - Reilly, Vincent, Andre, Davis, Andy Lee, Hicks, Bridge, Olsen, Thompson (Portway), Creed (Smith), Wilson, Johnson, Burgess, Rose (Charles), Frankish. Tries - Olsen Andre Smith Penalty Try Conversion - Johnson Man of the Match - Andy Lee Report by - Andy Frankish |
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