A blustery day saw West Norfolk host Watton in this Merit League One encounter, with conditions very difficult for a fast and flowing game the contest promised to be a scrappy affair with field position being the key. West Norfolk kicked off with the wind at there backs put Watton under immediate pressure with aggressive and controlled rucking and mauling brought the play up to the Watton line good defensive work from Watton turning over ball, only to have the clearance attempt charged down allowing West to touch down, an excellent conversion saw the home side 7 points up from 5 minutes of play.
More pressure from the restart saw West taking the game to Watton and an almighty forward battle ensued, ferocious play from both sets of forwards provided a stale mate on the Watton 22 with neither side giving an inch for some 20 minutes. Watton eventually broke through and made steady headway into the home sides territory, with dogged determination brought the play up to West’s line; a defensive scrum for west 5 metres out saw a touch of class from Scrum Half Omer, stealing the ball from the base of the scrum and touching down, with Ansell unable to convert bringing the score to 7 – 5, 30 mins played.
The half coming to an end with West coming close but a double movement preventing the award. The second half saw Watton attack with gusto driving hard into the home sides 22, a solid platform enabled Ansell & Walker to show excellent handling skills releasing Thurston to round the defence and touchdown under the posts, this time Ansell making no mistake with the extra points, 7 – 12, 45 mins.
Not to be out done West responded immediately forcing Watton into the 22 a rolling maul could not be stopped from crossing the line bring the score to 12 – 12 (missed con)
With the game showing no signs of slowing down Watton forwards surged into the home sides half off loading in contact making short work of the defence, breathtaking play from Wayne Jolly & Shane Mac allowed Lincoln Evans to drive over and score, unconverted, Watton held on for the last 10 minutes to take the victory.