League leaders Hendon were handed a wake-up call in Herts/Middlesex Division Two as Watford inflicted their first defeat of the season, triumphing 22-6.

Hendon began sloppily in wet and windy conditions and Watford racked up the first points as their No8 charged through the centre of the line to score an uncontested try.

The away side recovered to take play to the Watford 22, but repeated attempts to run the ball from penalties came to nothing until Cian Hynes slotted over a penalty to make it 5-3.

Controversy followed as Hendon’s Roddy Walsh appeared to be punched and retaliated in front of the referee. He was promptly sent to the sin-bin, and Watford took full advantage by creating an overlap and scoring their second try of the afternoon in the corner.

Hynes kicked another penalty late in the first half to cut the deficit to 10-6, and Hendon piled on the pressure after the break as Adam Johnson, Toby Ikwueke and Derry O’Connor were all stopped just short of the line.

But Watford pulled away inside the last 10 minutes, helped in part by Hendon errors as a long defensive kick failed to go into touch and Watford ran in an easy try.

Any thoughts of a losing bonus point for Hendon disappeared almost immediately, as Watford cleared downfield and the wing collected to score an unopposed try.