Watford 2nd XV 43 Vs 8 Hemel Hempstead 4ths

Man of the Match: Jacob Harris

Watford 2nd XV looked to build on the previous weeks promising performance by putting on a good display against Hemel 4ths. Skipper Hicks selected a youthful side with a number of players under 21, a feature which has been characteristic of second team selection this season.

Watford started brightly, immediately putting the home team under pressure and forcing turnover ball within opposition territory. Strong rucking from the pack gifted Kiely quick ball, and the fly half’s well timed pass found Paul Wilson running an excellent line to beat the covering defence and ground under the posts. Kiely added the extras to give Watford the lead within the first five minutes. The home side were almost immediately on the back foot again from the restart, a Hemel kick to relieve pressure finding winger Gilmore, who drew his man with a well timed pass to release Kiely. The fly half still had a lot of work to do, and showed a good turn of pace and well timed sidestep to once more ground under the posts.  Watford were threatening to run away with the game, and Bernarius scored the first of his three tries following a strong run from Pitsialis, playing in the unfamiliar position of centre following a late withdrawal. Hemel managed to respond with a penalty following indiscipline at the breakdown from Watford, making the score 19-3.

With the away side seemingly in control, the game was thrown into disarray with 15 minutes left of the first half. Hemel’s winger made a break, and with a try looking inevitable Bernarius made an excellent tackle to haul him down just short of the line. The home player took offence to the tackle, and began to physically remonstrate with the Watford no 8. In the ensuing melee Hemel managed to ground the ball, the referee allowing the try to stand. The official then called across skipper Hicks and flanker Miller, who were arrived first to the earlier altercation. To the stunned disbelief of the away team, Miller was shown a straight red card, with Hicks given 10 minutes in the sin bin. Somehow the Hemel player who began things remained on the pitch. Watford came under intense pressure for the remainder of the half, and showed some stout defence which was emphasised by Martin Lee (on as a blood replacement for Mark Hicks) making a huge hit on his opposite number 5 metres from the line to end the half.

Miller’s red card merely served to motivate Watford in the second half, who despite being down to 14 men still managed to run in a further 4 tries. Harris, making only his third start for Watford and first at scrum half was instrumental in all that was good about the away sides attacking play, frequently committing opposition players before offloading to support runners. Kiely and Bernarius were both beneficiaries of Harris’ vision, being put into space for relatively easy run ins, with Martin Lee scoring under the posts following good work from winger Lewens.

Hemel showed fantastic spirit to rally and came back strong in an attempt to salvage something from the game. What followed was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the game from a Watford viewpoint, with every man on the pitch standing up and being counted. Despite laying siege to Watford’s line, and spending 10 minutes in the away sides 22, Hemel were unable to cross the whitewash.

Skipper George Hicks was pleased with the result, and paid tribute to his young sides resilience. “The best thing about today was the spirit shown by the lads, who stuck at it and managed to not concede for 50 minutes despite us being down to 14 men – lets take this into next weeks game and keep on moving up the table”

Watford: G Hicks, M. Hicks, Philpott, Christie (M Lee 50), Hill (A Lee 60), Bridge, Miller, Bernarius, Harris, Kiely, Gilmore, Wilson, Pitsialis, Lewens, Rose.

Scorers: Bernarius x 3
               Kiely x2
               M  Lee x 1
               Wilson x 1
               Conversions: Kiely x 4