Watford claimed their first win over Thamesians in five years and their first ever success at the Twickenham outfit’s ground on Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring with two well-struck long-range penalties, before Tom McGee replied with one of his own for the visitors. The half ended with a third Thamesians penalty putting the home side 9-3 up at the break.

It was a much more open affair after the break and with the home side tiring; Watford enjoyed a greater share of territory and possession.

McGee slotted his second penalty, before the pack dismantled a Thamesians scrum to allow him his third successful shot at goal.

As the game opened up, Watford scored the first try of the game. A driving run from Powell was recycled quickly, the ball being fed to winger Richard Yates, who touched down in the right-hand corner. McGee’s form with the boot continued, his touchline conversion giving Watford the lead for the first time with 15 minutes left on the clock.

After the second phase from a Thamesians scrum, the hosts reversed the direction of play and caught Watford napping on the blindside to score their first try of the afternoon. Agonisingly for the home side, the conversion bounced off the upright, leaving Watford two points up with under ten minutes remaining.

Watford were indebted to prop Luke Bees, who showed a great turn of pace to hammer the opposition winger into touch when it looked for all the world like a try was on the cards. From the resulting lineout the pack kept the ball tight, going through numerous phases in order to run down the clock.

Eventually, Thamesians’ desperation to win a turnover resulted in them straying offside. The penalty was hammered into touch, giving Watford a superb first ever win at Thamesians.

Watford’s Under-16s moved top of the Herts/Middlesex League 4 after beating London Scottish 22-19.

The Under-13s are also top of Division Four after beating Grasshoppers 55-22 in what was a surprisingly closely-contested encounter.