Watford 2nd XV 5 vs 3 Old Albanians 4th XV

Man of the Match: Gary Bridge

Watford 2nd XV took a youthful side away to Old Albanians searching for their first win of the season. With a number of players making their senior debut for the club, the game was always going to be difficult given the considerable experience bought to the pitch by the home side.

Watford started brightly, forcing a fumble from the kick off and immediately placing Albanians under pressure. The resulting scrum saw Watford pushed shoved backwards to concede possession, with OA’s keeping the ball tight and making steady inroads into Watford territory. Over exuberance from the away side at the breakdown led to a penalty 35 metres in front of the posts, which was calmly converted to bring the first points of the match. This galvanized Watford, who realising they had the edge in the backs began to keep the ball away from contact and slowly exert some dominance on proceedings. A solid scrummage in the middle of the park led to decent ball for fly half Bryn Williams, who made a scintillating break deep into the home sides 22 before offloading to supporting No 8

Miller to touch down from 5 metres out. The resulting conversion was narrowly missed, making the half time score 5-3 to Watford.

The second half began, and finished, in much the same vein as the first. Watford clearly had the edge in the backs, whilst Old Albanians dominated the set piece, most notably the scrum. Watford’s cause was not helped by an injury to scrum-half Jake Bennett leading to a re-shuffle in the pack, with back rower Richard Munday finding himself in the unfamiliar position of winger.  Despite an extended period spent camped in their own 22, resolute Watford defence meant the home side were unable to convert the considerable pressure they were exerting. Special mention here must go to veteran Gary Bridge, who typified the Watford effort with some sterling work at the breakdown ensuring Albanians were never able to secure the quick, clean ball necessary to touch down. Despite their lack of ball, Watford nearly scored themselves after hooker Mark Hicks found himself with some space on the wing inside his own half, and showed a surprising turn of pace to accelerate deep into opposition territory before being hauled down. The game was bought to an unfortunate, premature end after a nasty looking injury to OA’s fullback. Watford’s best wishes go to him and all at the club hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Skipper George Hicks was understandably thrilled after the game, and paid tribute to the youngsters in the team who performed admirably and will surely be a cornerstone of future senior Watford sides for years to come. 

Watford 2nd XV: G. Wilson, M. Hicks, G. Hicks, Bridge, Bernarius, Munday, Georgio, Miller (M. Jenkins 40) Bennett (Christie 60), Williams, Lewens, Portway, Gilmore, Jacob