Herts/Middlesex One: Watford 10 UCS Old Boys 24
UCS Old Boys remain fourth in Herts/Middlesex One after a 24-10 win away to Watford.
The first twenty minutes of the game comprised a fairly evenly-matched contest with gruelling and acrimonious forwards’ exchanges coupled with some energetic carries in the UCSOB back line, especially from captain Tom Arnold at centre.
A kick from a Watford back caused a turnover to the visitors and flanker Tom Sanders carved through the home pack, before giving a final pass to scrum half Arthur Coates, who touched down between the posts, with the extras added.
By the 35th minute, Sanders had again shown his mettle in an amazing second carry, swerving through the entire opposition pack.
This time, Sanders capped his superlative rampage off by chip-kicking the Watford fullback and catching the ball on the bounce before dotting down for a try.
The last five minutes of the half were no less impressive by UCSOB and it seemed that lock David Barton had crossed for a try at the end of the maul, only for the referee to instead give a five-metre scrum.
UCSOB would score a third try before the break, though, when prop Ahmad Ghanem sprinted in from the 22-metre line to finish off a fine team move.
Early in the second half, the Watford pack reached the UCSOB try line, but firm defence caused the referee to give Watford a five-metre scrum.
From the set piece, the hosts were able to register their first points of the day when their fly half scored an unconverted try.
During this encounter prop George Sewell unfortunately injured his shoulder, being replaced by Christian Henk.
A period of Old Gower defensive play followed, where the irrepressible Chris Bean at number eight exhibited a fine burst of speed.
After a second Watford sin-binning, Charlie Esdon then demonstrated one of his customary darting carries for more than 50 metres to score a superb solo try, which he also converted.
With five minutes to go the pace of the game slowed and Watford scored a consolation pushover try from a sustained maul.
UCSOB: Ghanem, Turton, Sewell (Henk), Ovens, Barton, Bean, Clarke, Jones, Sanders, Coates (Cooper), Esdon, Stewart, Arnold, Tootell, Greenall (Gourlay), Breakwell.
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