Man of the Match:

Watford played Old Merchant Taylors in a friendly fixture arranged when Hatfield cried off due to injury.  Both  teams fielding a mixture of 1st and 2nd team players, The visitors play their rugby 2 leagues above Watford and were recovering from last weeks loss by 115 – 0 to Hemel Hempstead.  This game was always going to be a testing game, especially with Watford missing 7 regular 1st teamers.  The opening score of the game went with play and went to the visitors with an unconverted try to lead 5-0. Watford fought back and their first score of the game came from debutant winger John Toy, who score wide out. The conversion from scrum half Simon Maney made the score 7-5 to Watford. Things got better for the home team as their forwards became dominant and played simple but very effective rugby to allow outside centre James Betteley to keep his try scoring streak going, scoring under the posts. The simple conversion by Maney made the score 14-5 to Watford. This was the final score of what had been an even first half. The away team started the second half brightly and rattled off 26 unanswered points, although Watford remained competitive.  A combination of good defence by the visitors and a few errors by the home team meant that the score to get them back in the game didn’t come until too late. The final score of the game went to Watford, with good work from the forwards taking the ball close to the line near the right hand corner; recycled ball was feed to the backs, who showed good hands to pass the ball all the way down the line for John Toy to score his 2nd try of the game in the opposite corner. The conversion was missed to make the final score 31-19 to the visitors. Captain Simon Maney stated that although the team was made up of a mixture of players, it bodes well for the club that they were able to be competitive against opposition who regularly play at a higher level. It was a great effort and special mention must be given to Mike Jenkins, who at the last minute was moved to play on the wing even though he usually plays in the back row. Mike was making his debut for the 1st team and it is to his credit that he played as well as he could in a position that is completely foreign to him. His willingness to play out of position speaks volumes about his character and of the spirit being shown within the club.

Team: G Wilson, J Tourlamain, John, D Mitchell, P Moloney, R Flint, M Lee, P Fagan, S Maney, J Traxon, M Jenkins, P Jenkins, J Betteley, J Toy, J Portway. Sub: M Mealing for John.

Watford 1st  are back in league action this week when they travel to Old Isleworthians.

West Herts and North Middx Merit Table 5

Watford seconds moved to 2nd place in Merit Table 5 in the West Herts & North Middx Merit Tables following Saturdays’ games.  Watford were awarded a 25-0 victory as UCSOBs came foul of the replacement rules within the Merit Table competitions, this only allow for a maximum of 3 replacements but UCS fielded 6.  UCSOBs were happy to accept and concede the game though they won the actual game 66-7.  Watford points game in the first half with Adam Creed scoring and converting Watford’s only try.

Watford 2nds are home this coming Saturday to local rivals Chess Valley KO 3pm at Radlett Road.

Watford under 10’s

Watford under 10’s made the long journey to Royston on Sunday. Royston’s only loss last season was against the same team although at the age group below, so seeing as most of the players have progressed to this age group there was a real edge to this fixture. Saffron Waldon also made the visit to Royston.  Watford started the first game against Royston with a strong team, with injuries to 3 key players early in the game resulting in replacements being made. It was a particularly physical game for this age group, with Royston outscoring Watford 3 tries to 2. As Watford travelled with enough players to make 2 teams the second game against Saffron Waldon resulted in wholesale changes to ensure that everybody got to play. Watford lost this game too but it was good experience for some of those new to the game this year. The final game was against Royston, with both clubs mixing their teams up. Thankfully this one wasn’t as physical as the first game and unfortunately Watford lost this game too, which is the first time this has happened. Watford’s player of the week was Jack Garvin, who showed a great attitude in never giving up.

Watford will be hoping that none of the injuries picked up are serious ones and look forward to taking on Stevenage at home this Sunday.