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The match started with Royston kicking to Watford, who starting with a passion lacked by the England team later that day. Watford retained possession for two minutes, before making a breakthrough from which Richard Munday started what was to become a glut of tries from Watford, and was ably converted by Kicker and Prop Ben Green.
Most of the first half of the match was played in the middle third of the pitch with Watford pushing up towards the Royston 22 line. Watford’s forwards were giving nothing away and Royston were struggling to stay in the match. Warren Dunsford, Brauny, Ben Wilkinson, Sam Wood and John Goodenough were all making it hard for Royston to gain ground. Gayath Madawela was doing well in the lineouts with his new contact lenses in -–he can now see the ball. The tries were being scored when the Royston forwards were being sucked into the middle and gaps were being left, these gaps were being exploited by a lively Watford midfield with Brauny, Matt Williams, Richard Munday, Toby Smith Tom McDonough and Warren Dunsford all having good breaks.
Toby Smith and Brauny put two more over the line for Watford, with both tries being converted by Ben Green. The game was turning into a score fest and was being played mostly in the Royston half. R Munday ran in his second and third tries both converted by Ben Green. Toby Smith got his second try of the match near the end of the half, with Ben kicking for his sixth successful conversion.
Both Royston and Watford made some changes at half time with Ross Burling and James Hill coming on for John Goodenough and Stephen Greedy. Watford kicked to Royston to start the second half, Royston made a clean catch and took it back into the Watford half. Royston maintained the pressure for five minutes and with a couple of good breaks, they almost put themselves on the scoreboard. However Watford’s defence held firm. Watford got the ball back into the Royston half when Richard Munday made a break needing a kick to get past the full back, and barely staying out of touch, dived on the ball and slid over the line for his fourth try. Ben Green ended his 100% kicking record with a near miss from the sideline.
With Watford winning scrums against the head, Watford were having no problem retaining possession of the ball. No 8 Tom McDonough was picking the ball from the scrums and making opportunities for going forward which were not wasted. Tom made one break where he was tackled just before the line, however Hilly collected the ball and burst through to score his first try of the season – he was still celebrating on Wednesday at training. Royston fought back in a more even second half and came close to scoring, before Warren Dunsford scored the final try of the game. Ben’s conversion looked to be going between the posts, before a gust of wind took it just wide.
Watford – Green, Wilkinson, C Smith, Madawela, Braun, Goodenough, McKenzie-Bell, M Williams, De-Honri, Burling, Munday (C), Wood, Greedy, T Smith, McDonough, Dunsford, Hill, Greedy Tries
R Munday 4
T Smith 2
J Braun
J Hill
W Dunsford
Cons
Green 6
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