Watford 1st Xv 49 Vs 0 Old Tottonians 1st XV

Man of the Match: Dave Mitchell

Watford got their league campaign back on track with an emphatic win at home to Old Tottonians.

The hosts flew out of the blocks, knowing that a convincing win was vital if they were to maintain a realistic chance of promotion this season. A quick penalty within the opposition 22 was worked wide, allowing returning second row David Mitchell to score his first of the afternoon. Watford were soon on the attack again, and Langan was unfortunate to have a try ruled out for a marginal forward pass. However, this proved a temporary setback and winger Oguntade crossed in the corner soon after. Mitchell scored his second following a bullocking run, before the hosts scored one of the tries of the season. The ball was gathered from the re-start, before being shipped wide. Following superb interplay between both forwards and backs, the ball was kept alive culminating in Langan crossing for his second score of the season. There was still time for Paul Dunlop to score from close range before the half time whistle, and the hosts turned around buoyant following some superb rugby.

The second half was a more muted affair with the game already won, however four further scores were added. Reeve scored from close range, followed by Andy Lee crashing over. Scrum half Hopkins dummied from the base of a ruck to scoot over for a trademark try, before Lee was the beneficiary of some unselfish play from half time substitute Kiely. There was still time for Hicks to be held up over the line after Reeve generously turned down an easy run in, but this wasn’t to spoil an emphatic Watford win.

Skipper Flint was please to get the league campaign back on track after a run of defeats. “It is always good to win, and to nil a team is especially pleasing. However, we need to perform like this against the better teams in the division, starting with Chess Valley in two weeks time.”

Watford 1^st XV: G. Wilson, Flint (Philpott 55), Hicks, Makinson, Mitchell, Reeve, Dunlop (Tucker 41), Hammill, Hopkins, McGee, Langan, A. Lee, Cox (Kiely 50), Oguntade, Menzies

Tries: Mitchell x 2, A.Lee x 2, Dunlop x 1, Reeve x 1, Langan x 1, Hopkins x 1

Cons: McGee x 2