Watford U16 were keen to do well in the bronze medal playoff after losing to Worthing the previous day. Their opponents were Cheltenham, who lost to Manchester the previous day 17 to 16, had some great attacking players as the score demonstrated.

The team was one short with Michael Barrett having an injury and not being able to take part. The first quarter went well and Watford won first quarter 3:1 (Goals 1 R Cubitt, 2 Matthew Williams).

Cheltenham fort back and managed to end the first half 5-5, unfortunately Ed Carpenter who was having a great impact getting in to great position was elbowed in the eye splitting it open and not able to take part in the rest of the game, a great loss to be two players down. (Goals 1 Matthew Williams, 1 Aksel Gerhardstein)

Early in Quarter 3 Cheltenham scored to take the lead for the first time. Coach Edi called a time out and galvanised Watford because they scored 3 unanswered goals to end Q3 8:6 (Goals 1 Matthew Williams, 2 Aksel Gerhardstein).

The Team were tired having played with two players missing but they were determined to keep up the huge effort. The quarter started well and Luke Roberts scored after 20 seconds. The Cheltenham coach called a time out and they did not score on the back of it but on the next attach they did. Then they were awarded a penalty which was also the third major foul for Pit Defender Ryan Cubitt who had defended amazingly not allowing a single goal from the pit in 3 quarters, this was a big loss to Watford’s defence.

It was a nervous time for both teams, Watford goal keeper Anthony Bartlett had saved the previous 2 penalties, unfortunately they scored. Now there was only one goal in it. A tense minute and 20 seconds passed with many errors in attach from Watford as they became more and more tied but sill with great defence and heart. After a great steel of the ball by Watford an unusual refereeing decision saw Cheltenham swim back over the player allowing Cheltenham to equalised. With just 2 minutes 48 seconds left to play the next goal was critical and it unfortunately went to Cheltenham.

With just over a minute left Coach Edi called another time out and a instructed the team to pay 7 v 6, where goalkeeper Anthony Bartlett, also joined the attack to try and steel one back. Unfortunately we did not score and the game ended 10:9. (Goals 1 Luka Roberts)
A horrible way to finish but the exhausted team knew they had nothing left to give and had done their best. An amazing defensive effort especially when we consider we conceded 13 major fouls verses Cheltenham’s 3.

The team should be very proud of what they achieved, 5 of them are playing a year out of age group so will get another chance next year to go one step further.