Harrow RFC 1st XV 36 Vs. 0 Watford RFC 1st XV

Man of the Match: Richard Munday

Watford got off to the worst possible start. With less than 5 minutes on the clock, centre Andy Lee was forced off with an ankle injury in only his second appearance for the first team this season. Harrow began the game at a breakneck pace, and Watford were guilty of offering the home side far too much respect and time on the ball. The visitors found themselves five tries down at half time, losing scrum half Bennett and prop Philpott to injuries in the process.

After strong words at the break, Watford began the second half much brighter. Despite conceding a sixth score early on, the Stags rallied and finally took the game to their illustrious opponents. Phenomenal defensive work from Hammill, Munday and Dunlop ensured Harrow were not able to dominate to the degree they had done in the first 40, and Watford slowly began to exert further pressure. A break from Martin Lee saw him cross the whitewash, only to be called back for a debatable foot in touch. Shortly afterwards, flying winger Richard Yates was put through however in another controversial call the pass was adjudged to have been forward. Despite not enjoying the rub of the green, Watford continued to battle hard. After one scuffle too many, the Harrow fly half was sent for a 10 minute cool down. The visitors were unable to capitalise on his absence, and whilst Harrow deserved the bonus point win Watford can consider themselves highly unfortunate to not have got on the scoreboard.

Skipper Flint summarised “If ever there were a game of two halves, this was it. I think we had beaten ourselves before taking to the pitch. Harrow’s record speaks for itself, they are an excellent team and showed in that first half just why they are yet to lose this season. That said, in the second 40 we showed that on our day we can be a match for anyone in the division – we just need to perform for the entire 80 minutes.”

Man of the Match: Richard Munday

Watford: Philpott (McGee 40), Flint, Hicks, Makinson, G. Wilson, Hammill, Dunlop, M. Lee, Bennett (Munday 20), Hopkins, Yates, A. Lee (P. Wilson 5), Kiely, James, Butcher.