Watford

Watford

29th January 2005

Vs Watford (home) Herts/Middx 3 North

Result 50-10

Watford arrived at Firs Lane full of confidence following the last encounter between these two sides earlier in the season. That day Watford restrained the OA's attack and saved themselves from another 90 point thrashing, their pride may have been repaired but Ashmole were not at all pleased and this game promised to be a real battle.

Ashmole were depleted heavily, notable absentees included Captain Neal Grainger, full back and goal kicker Andy Martin as well as top try scorers Seve and Damian.

Jacob however had returned to boost the sides chance, refreshed from his mid-season break to S.Africa, if a little unfit but more than keen to get back into the fray.

The bench consisted of only one substitute, never in Emile's rain as coach has the injury list looked so bleak, but any team who writes off OA's, depleted side or not had better beware.

Ashmole started the game well, they looked as though they were prepared to fight this one out if necessary, the points were crucial the morale victory possibly even more so.

It was not long at all before the home side snatched an early lead, hooker Craig taking a short ball five metres out and diving over for the opening five points. It was to be his only try of the game as only a few minutes later he suffered a nasty cut to the head and was unable to play on, the injury occurred as he helped Ashmole to score their second try.

Craig's injury forced Emile into a big re-shuffle of the team, with many players now playing out of position you felt at this stage, although being a couple of tries down that it may be Watford's ideal time to apply some pressure.

Ashmole however pressed their dominance on the game, despite Watford now having a clear advantage in the scrums it was in open play that they failed to contain their opposition. The Ashmole free flowing game was at its best, they smashed there way through the Watford defence, using the inside crash ball to devastating effect. Johan and Weetbix especially stood out on a day when OA's needed to stand up and be counted. Winger Gavin was brought into the centre for this game and he produced some of the best tackles of the day, it seemed to be a contest between himself and Johan to see who could hit the hardest.

An early second half mistake and later a tactical misjudgement allowed Watford to come away with 10 points but it was Ashmole's day, their tactics were disjointed, their side re-shuffled and their squad depleted but there rugby was never dull.

Second half tries from Johan, Emile and Weetbix sealed the win and the half century, it was not 90 but at any level 50-10 is a fair beating.

Jacob proved yet again his importance to the Ashmole side, the second row/prop scored twice and certainly did his part on the day, terrorising the defence and forcing one poor Watford defender to be helped off; I am sure that player will never go into a tackle high again.

Ashmole deserved the result that keeps them top of the league but a lot of credit must be given to Watford who came determined to cause an upset and can feel proud that they were able to walk away with 10 points from a ground where teams never see the Ashmole in goal areas let alone score in it. OA's now remain unbeaten in the league since the beginning of the 2003/2004 season and need only to overcome the advances of Saracens to clinch their second league title in two years.

Scorers = Craig, Jacobx2, Weetbix, Emile Hertz, Johanx2

Pens/Cons = Jabez cons x5


	Top Scorers 2004/5 SEASON \| Hendon \| Totts \| Saracens Ams \| Ignations \| Woodford \| Hemel \| Watford \| Totts \| Hackney \| Saracens Ams \| Hendon \| Harrow \| Letchworth \| Watford \| Ilford \| Hatfield \| Upper Clapton \| West London \| Mill Hill \| Aylestone Watford 29th January 2005 Vs Watford (home) Herts/Middx 3 North Result 50-10 Watford arrived at Firs Lane full of confidence following the last encounter between these two sides earlier in the season. That day Watford restrained the OA's attack and saved themselves from another 90 point thrashing, their pride may have been repaired but Ashmole were not at all pleased and this game promised to be a real battle. Ashmole were depleted heavily, notable absentees included Captain Neal Grainger, full back and goal kicker Andy Martin as well as top try scorers Seve and Damian. Jacob however had returned to boost the sides chance, refreshed from his mid-season break to S.Africa, if a little unfit but more than keen to get back into the fray. The bench consisted of only one substitute, never in Emile's rain as coach has the injury list looked so bleak, but any team who writes off OA's, depleted side or not had better beware. Ashmole started the game well, they looked as though they were prepared to fight this one out if necessary, the points were crucial the morale victory possibly even more so. It was not long at all before the home side snatched an early lead, hooker Craig taking a short ball five metres out and diving over for the opening five points. It was to be his only try of the game as only a few minutes later he suffered a nasty cut to the head and was unable to play on, the injury occurred as he helped Ashmole to score their second try. Craig's injury forced Emile into a big re-shuffle of the team, with many players now playing out of position you felt at this stage, although being a couple of tries down that it may be Watford's ideal time to apply some pressure. Ashmole however pressed their dominance on the game, despite Watford now having a clear advantage in the scrums it was in open play that they failed to contain their opposition. The Ashmole free flowing game was at its best, they smashed there way through the Watford defence, using the inside crash ball to devastating effect. Johan and Weetbix especially stood out on a day when OA's needed to stand up and be counted. Winger Gavin was brought into the centre for this game and he produced some of the best tackles of the day, it seemed to be a contest between himself and Johan to see who could hit the hardest. An early second half mistake and later a tactical misjudgement allowed Watford to come away with 10 points but it was Ashmole's day, their tactics were disjointed, their side re-shuffled and their squad depleted but there rugby was never dull. Second half tries from Johan, Emile and Weetbix sealed the win and the half century, it was not 90 but at any level 50-10 is a fair beating. Jacob proved yet again his importance to the Ashmole side, the second row/prop scored twice and certainly did his part on the day, terrorising the defence and forcing one poor Watford defender to be helped off; I am sure that player will never go into a tackle high again. Ashmole deserved the result that keeps them top of the league but a lot of credit must be given to Watford who came determined to cause an upset and can feel proud that they were able to walk away with 10 points from a ground where teams never see the Ashmole in goal areas let alone score in it. OA's now remain unbeaten in the league since the beginning of the 2003/2004 season and need only to overcome the advances of Saracens to clinch their second league title in two years. Scorers = Craig, Jacobx2, Weetbix, Emile Hertz, Johanx2 Pens/Cons = Jabez cons x5