SODAM 1st XV 3 Vs 63 Watford 1st XV

Man of the Match: Conor Stevens

Watford racked up 11 tries for the second successive week as they outclassed a gutsy SODAM side to win 63-3, brothers Martin & Andrew Lee scoring a hat trick each.

In a physical opening quarter, Watford opened the scoring when Martin Lee peeled from the back of a maul and crashed over the opposition winger for five points. The lead was soon extended when winger Portway found himself in space and showed a good turn of pace to round his opposite number and score in the corner. Hopkins was the next to get in on the act, benefitting from an excellent offload from the outstanding Hammill. Watford were making considerable ground through the middle of the park, Stevens in particular exhibiting a high work rate with the ball in hand. SODAM opened their account with a penalty from in front of the posts, before Andy Lee got himself on the scoreboard after some neat interplay between the forwards and backs. The first halves scoring was completed when Martin Lee pounced on an overthrown opposition lineout to score his second.

The Second half continued in much the same fashion as the first. Greyling became the second beneficiary of a Hammill offload, before Andy Lee scythed through the SODAM defence following a neat inside pass from Butcher. Hopkins got his second of the day throwing a dummy and crossing over from close range. Martin Lee completed his hat trick with a barnstorming run down the wing. Not to be outdone by his brother, Andy Lee collected the ball from half way and proceeded to waltz through the home sides defence to score an excellent solo try. Watford completed the scoring when flanker Dunlop intercepted a wayward pass to score under the posts. SODAM showed good heart in the last 5 minutes and pushed for a consolation score. Watford exhibited superb defence and put in some huge tackles to keep the hosts at bay, Stevens in particular coming to the fore with some bone shuddering hits.

Skipper Flint was a content man at the final whistle. “Winning is always satisfying, but to do it without conceding a try makes it even more so, especially in the face of some very physical and direct play. We have now scored 22 tries in our opening two league games, and could, indeed perhaps should, have scored more. To have done this with such an extensive injury list shows the strength in depth within the club, and with everyone hopefully fit and available for the next league game selection will be tough.”

Watford 1^st XV: Greyling, Flint, G. Wilson (Hicks 50), Tucker (Reeve 40), C. Stevens, Hammill, Dunlop, M. Lee, Hopkins, Butcher, Langan (Bennett 60), A. Lee, Cox, Portway, P. Wilson.

Tries: A. Lee x 3, M. Lee x 3, Hopkins x 2, Portway, Dunlop, Greyling.

Conversions: Dunlop x 4