Watton 1sts 19-West Norfolk 2nds 17

With late call offs and literally Eleventh hour call ups to bolster the First Team West Norfolk Seconds travelled to Watton with a mere 13 players to find out Watton had a full 15 with 5 subs!
Not to be put off and completely undaunted West immediately rose to the challenge and the 7 man pack thatincluded Rory stepping up to prop, overpowered the Watton 8 man pack resulting in a push over try within the first 5 minutes! Skipper Squits missed the conversion to give West a 5 -0 cushion.
With Davenport, Hart, Covell and Rory would not let up securing almost 100% of loose ball giving Ali Smith an armchair ride to feed the backs and Dr. Stu, Dr. James and Conor produced some good back lines of running and Watton were struggling to contain the spirited side. Captain Waterfield used the sloped pitch advantage well kicking for touch into the Watton 22 where Sam Davenport stole the home sides’ throw in and good support from Fincham and Martin saw the Trio bulldozing their way to the try line where the desperate Watton defence were penalized for dragging down the maul with a penalty try. Squits converted to give West a 12-0 lead at half time.

West Norfolk started the Second Half with the same ferocity but with Watton having used all 5 subs and having the extra overlap and sloped pitch advantage it was only a matter of time until West’s defence tired to allow Two quick converted tries. 12-14 to Watton.
Despite this West Norfolk remained the dominant side playing the more thoughtful rugby and used new player Pascal De-houf to his full potential with scything runs making great advantage. James Covell played tirelessly all day with rampaging runs combined with crunching tackles and powerful wincing hand-offs. West were unfortunate on many occasions but the fact is that 13 men against 15, 5 of whom have fresh legs will always find it near impossible to break through the defence. Dr. Stu realizing the way through was to kick into space fly hacked the ball through the Watton defence before chasing, gathering and scoring in the corner bringing the score to 17-14.

With 5 minutes remaining West were aware that the game could be for the taking if Watton could be kept at bay. Ferocious tackles resulted in injuries to Squits’s shoulder and James Covell breaking Two fingers. Not to be deterred and admirably because they had no replacements they stayed on the pitch only to see a kick to touch missed and gathered by Wattons’ winger to cruelly score in the corner in the last minute of the game resulting in 17 –19!!

All of the West Norfolk players who travelled showed true club commitment and heart and by no means let the club down!!

Webmaster