Watford 1st XV 73 vs 10 Mill Hill 1st XV

Man of the Match: Luke Hammill

Watford 1^st XV 73 vs 10 Mill Hill 1^st XV

Watford opened up their league campaign with a comprehensive 73-10 win over league newcomers Mill Hill.

On a blisteringly hot day, Watford made the decision to keep the ball in hand and attack early on. Playing attractive running rugby, the hosts turned around 40-10 up at half time, scores coming courtesy of A Lee (2), Dunlop, Mitchell and Langan. The Watford scrum was working well, and regular turnover ball gave Watford’s pacey back line the freedom to attack at will. Mill Hill hit back with two scores of their own to keep in touch at half time.

With the searing heat taking its toll on both sides, the second half was a somewhat more muted affair. However, Watford were able to run in 5 unanswered tries, winger Yates securing a 12 minute hat trick. Other scores came from Braun (2) and Menzies, leading to a final score of 73-10. Watford will feel they could, and indeed should have scored more points, a sign of the high standards this new group of players set themselves. All credit to Mill Hill, who put in a gutsy performance and never let their heads drop.

Skipper Flint was pleased to rack up such a convincing win. “ At the end of the day, it would be churlish to criticise after scoring 11 tries in such demanding conditions. That said, we set ourselves high standards and probably left another 20 points on the pitch. Last season we conceded 3^rd place due to an inferior points difference, and cannot afford to let this happen again.”

Watford 1^st XV: Greyling, Flint, G. Wilson (C. Stevens 60), Hammill, Mitchell, Reeve, Dunlop, M. Lee, Menzies, Hopkins, Langan, A. Lee (Cox 50), Braun, Yates, James.

Tries: Yates x 3, A. Lee x 2, Braun x 2, Dunlop, Mitchell, Langan, Menzies

Conversions: Menzies x 9