Watford RFC 1st XV 32 Vs 7 London Springboks

Man of the Match: Tom Kiely

 
Still smarting from their away defeat earlier in the season, Watford flew out of the blocks from the kick off. Strong tackling and counter rucking led to a turnover, with the ball being shipped wide to Hicks. The prop drew his man before passing to winger Yates to score in the corner. The conversion was missed to put Watford 5-0 up within the first couple of minutes. Sensing that the match was theirs for the taking, Watford went for the jugular. Good work at the breakdown earned the home side a penalty. Turning down the 3 points, the ball was kicked into touch. Number 8 Martin Lee scored from the subsequent lineout, putting Watford 10-0 up with only 10 minutes played. Watford looked threatening everytime they got the ball in hand, and soon added to their total when Lee crashed over from close range. The bonus point was sealed before half time, Dunlop managing to scramble over the line following excellent ball retention and patience by the pack.
 
The home side made a handful of changes in the second half, and played most of the game in opposition territory. Unfortunately handling errors and poor decision making from a number of players slowed the scoring rate. Flanker Hammill was somewhat harshly sin binned for reasons unknown, and the away side capitalised on his absence by scoring an excellent length of the field try. Watford roused themselves for the final quarter and added two further scores, both courtesy of substitute winger Stephen James. James' first score came following good work from Martin Lee, whilst his second was thanks to the winger cutting an excellent line and being well picked out by man of the match Tom Kiely.
 
Skipper Flint was satisfied with his teams display. "The forwards were excellent today, and made up for their sloppy showing against British Airways last week. The scrummaging, rucking and mauling was superb. The backs also looked threatening with the ball in hand, and had we been more clinical the score could easily have been much higher. We set ourselves a target of remaining unbeaten throughout January, and to achieve this with maximum points is excellent. The real test comes next week against Harrow, who inflicted our heaviest defeat of the season upon us."
 
Next week Watford host unbeaten league leaders Harrow, 2:15 p.m kick off.
 
Watford: G. Wilson, Flint, Hicks (Philpott 55), Makinson, McLennon, Hammill, Dunlop, Lee, Bennett, Hopkins, Yates (Bernarius 65), Kiely, Walker, Gilmore (James 30), P. Wilson
 
Tries: James x 2, Lee x 2 Dunlop, Yates
 
Conversions: Philpott x 1