In weather that can only be described as biblical, Watford RFC travelled to local rivals Chess Valley to contest what has always been a fiercely fought game. Looking to put into practice all aspects of our training and implement our game plan even in terrible conditions and playing on a pitch of mud with patches of grass, the warm up felt relaxed but focused and it seemed that Coach Greg’s direction to not put so much pressure on ourselves was beginning to sink in. Watford have always played with our hearts but sometimes not our heads and it was time to show both.

This was personified at the opening kick-off with 2nd row Chris Dixon showing poise and understanding in tidying and securing the ball. From this Watford’s first attack went through a couple of phases before finding its way to winger Kingsley Nwefo, returning from a few weeks out with a nasty ankle injury, who showed his usual pace and power to stampede from his own half through numerous tackles to find his way to the try line for a superb individual try. Conversion added by Scott Menzies.

Unfortunately during this phase of play the Chess Valley Fly Half incurred quite a serious elbow injury meaning a break in play and the player having to be carried off the pitch. All at Watford send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

After this brief break in play it seemed Chess Valley reacted quicker than Watford and began to exert some pressure in attack. Working their way up the pitch through big carries and tight play despite solid defence from Watford, pressure eventually told and Chess crossed for a try. Under normal circumstances Watford may have let their heads drop but on this day it seemed to be the wakeup call we needed. A good chase on the restart started a period of hard fought yards with Props Martin Cunningham and Liam Panton carrying strong and Luke Hammill, Paul Dunlop and Scott Menzies putting in massive hits the game became a true war of attrition. During this play Watford lost prop Liam Panton to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Will Murray who immediately made an impact in the scrum and in open play.

Nearing the end of the first Half Watford struck again with Kingsley releasing weeks of frustration with another fine solo try. The Conversion was again added by Menzies showing great control with the boot in blustery conditions, Watford saw out the half and went into the break with the lead.

Second half and the wind in our faces Watford were under strict instructions from Coaches Greg and Pat that kicking would need to take a back seat for a while as the wind was so oppressive. With the safety net of Menzies boot taken away Watford seemed to come alive, with Alex Butler bossing the game and controlling the forwards from scrum half and hard yards made time and again by Peck, Murray and Dixon leading to ground being made. With slick hands from Byron Richards and Paul Dunlop in the centres that defied the weather and Josh Wilkinson cutting hard lines at every opportunity as he always does, space opened on the right hand side and Sam Matthews showed once again why he is a first team regular with a string finish for Watford’s 3rd try.

This try seemed to ignite Chess valley and their big ball carriers began hard running into Watford’s defence. With Butler leaving the field and Matty Poole moving to scrum half, Haydn Cole took his place on the wing and both showed up physically against some hard lines from Chess. With Watford Pinned in our own 22 Captain Tom Gordon led from the front with tackle after tackle, and with every wave of attack held off, you could feel the Chess players shoulders sink, indeed a moment of frustration causing their skipper to kick the ball out at a breakdown and have a 10 minute sit down in the sin bin as a result. At one point Watford defending on our own try line managed to turn over the ball and though hard chaos carries from 1-15 clawed our way to the halfway line showing the Watford mentality throughout. With Tim running out on the clock and tired, sore bodies on the pitch Chess once again began to attack. This was quelled however with a huge tackle from Kingsley and clear out from almost the entire Watford pack causing a Watford Penalty. A defiant roar from the Watford faithful showing how much this result meant to us. Watford saw out the game with a calm head from Skipper Gordon and a well marshalled game plan from Matty Poole and Scott Menzies and with the final whistle a very happy Coach Greg insisted Watford had played with the most control he had seen for a long time. This really was a game that was won by a full squad effort and I hope I have mentioned everyone and highlighted how well they played, as forwards played as backs and backs as forwards it really was total rugby. The only name I haven’t mentioned is my own as it’s improper to mention oneself when writing a match report however please see below.

Man of the Match – John 'Skinny' Portway