Hatfield 1st XV 7 Vs 33 Watford 1st XV

Man of the Match: Richard Yates

Watford returned to winning ways with an emphatic win over Hatfield, thanks to four tries from flying winger Richard Yates. 

Keen to make amends after a poor display in the previous weeks match, Watford flew out of the blocks, making a quick, aggressive start. Following on from a solid lineout, the away sides pack forced themselves into Hatfield territory before the ball was spun wide to Yates. Given half a gap, the winger left his man for dead to open the scoring. This was soon repeated, McGee drawing his man and giving Yates the space he needed to cruise in for his second. Perhaps the best try of the afternoon was Yates’ third. Controlled, direct play by Watford gave Butcher the space and time to thread a delightfully weighted grubber kick behind the onrushing defence, which was pounced on to secure the wingers hat trick within the first twenty minutes. Hatfield showed good heart to come back into the game, gaining a greater share of possession and territory. The Watford defence, much maligned the previous week, held firm with some thunderous hits from both forwards and backs. Unfortunately, a dubious refereeing decision saw Watford reduced to 14 men when Hicks was deemed to have gone off his feet at the breakdown. Far from demoralising Watford, this served to inspire them to secure their fourth try and a bonus point. A clearing kick from the Hatfield full back failed to find touch, Dennies showing great composure to gather the ball, draw his man and release Portway to glide under the posts.

The second half was a much more even affair. Hatfield stuck to their strengths, and kept the ball tight within their pack. A series of mauls close to Watford’s line were excellently repelled, Mitchell, Lee and Wilson coming to the fore before the ball was finally dotted down. The remainder of the game was fought in the middle of the park, however Watford were to have the final say. The irrepressible Yates, so dangerous all game, finished off the afternoon in style again showing blistering pace to score under the sticks.

Skipper Flint was pleased with his sides reaction following the previous weeks poor display. “We all agreed that provided we learnt from last week, it would not be a bad result in the context of our season. Today all the lads stepped up and proved that they deserved to wear the Watford first team shirt. We are now third with a game in hand on the top two, and the next league game against Feltham will be a huge test for us".

Watford 1^st XV: G. Wilson, Flint, Hicks, Mitchell, Stevens (Philpott 50), Reeve (Munday 20), Hammill, M. Lee, Hopkins, Butcher,  Yates, A. Lee, Dennies, Portway (P. Wilson 50), McGee.

Tries: Yates x 4, Portway x 1

Conversions: McGee x 4