One point the difference on the road to Watford

Uxbridge pay for two early conceded tries as rallying performance sees them lose 29-28 to Watford.

After a tough day out last week against London Scottish Lions, Uxbridge were looking to bounce back against a Watford side they had only played a few weeks previously in the cup.

After a solid warm-up, the game started badly as Bridge conceded the softest try seen in many a year to the extent the Watford player could not believe his luck. Their second shortly followed after working the ball wide to the right flank and showing some pace and good offloads dabbed down in the corner.

Having stemmed this initial tide Uxbridge began to claw their way back into the game and camp down in the Watford half. Good running by Stefan Manners, Kyle Buckingham, Sam Dillamore and Will Searle kept Watford’s defence guessing and gave ball to returning scrum-half Brian Cassidy to launch further attacks.

Bridge’s first try came from a familiar source in Sam Dillamore following good work from the forwards and after Watford replied with a well worked try of their own from a lineout, Kyle Buckingham broke loose in the middle of the park and galloped away outpacing the defence to score Bridge’s second. Cassidy luckily had his kicking boots on and the team went into half time 15-14 down.

Playing into the wind and sunshine for the second half Bridge flew out of the blocks and took the game to Watford. Adam Jenkins produced some superb carries to get Bridge on the front foot with the Watford defence unable to cope with his svelte (ahem..) rig or quiet, passive personality.

Following good spells of recycling in the forwards the ball was worked wide to Buckingham who cut a lovely angle to race through and score and give Bridge the lead. The expected fight back came from Watford and after trying to play too much rugby in their own half, Watford forwards worked themselves into a good position to add their next try.

Undeterred Bridge kept taking the game to Watford with second-row Simon Coldwell on debut putting in some telling hits and carries, Bridge found themselves 10 metres out and like a bull in a china shop, Dillamore picked from the base of the ruck and drove his way over.

The last few minutes were frantic and seemed like an eternity and despite continued probing Bridge could not find the way through or fashion a drop goal opportunity to take the game at the death. Final score Watford 29-Uxbridge 28.

Next week, both teams have weeks off with Uxbridge given a bye into the third round of the Cup and a rest from training. Both teams are back in action on Saturday 17 November as the First XV take on Haringey Rhino’s (K.O. 14:30) and the Second XV face Northolt.