Drawn in Group B alongside 2022 Champions Cheltenham, Grantham & Barnet, the match against this Gloucestershire side was always going to be the decider on who progressed from the group to make one of the final four places.

Our first game of the day was against Grantham, and they were easily dispatched 8-2. We led 3-1 at half-time thanks to a double from Arish Patel and an effort from Dylan Munday. Into the second half and goals from Nick Christov, Matt Williams and further efforts from Munday & Patel were enough to get the win and set us up for that winner takes all clash.

Cheltenham beat Barnet 21-0 in their opening game, so we know this was the big test.

Our boys played well in the first half taking a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Munday & Patel and with Cheltenham missing two penalties it felt at half-time the game was going our way.
The second half began with Watford searching for further goals, but we missed several one-on-one chances and with the Cheltenham keeper in inspired form we couldn’t find a way past him.

With four minutes of the match remaining, we still lead 2-0 but then Cheltenham scored and moments later won a penalty which was converted for 2-2 it now felt the momentum was swinging their way and with 2 minutes of the game remaining they scored again to lead 2-3.

With time running out Head Coach Edi called a time-out but from the restart we hit the crossbar several times and our chance to level the match was gone, Cheltenham hung on to get the all important win.

To say the guys were devastated is an understatement but they gave it their all & left nothing in the pool.

The final game of the group was against Local side Barnet who had lost both their games to Cheltenham 21-0 & Grantham 12-1 so it was just a case of how many we could get the result was never in doubt.

By half time we led 11-1 with Luca Roberts the star of the first half bagging four, Munday scored a double and goals from Christov, Bryce Myburgh, Jack Leeson and a double from Josh Barrett doing the damage.

Into the final period and Watford took their foot of the gas as the victory was confirmed but not before another seven goals were plundered as Christov, Munday, Williams & Brarett scored again before Aksel Gerhardstein, Josh Pender & Goalie Dan Moos rounded off with goals. Final score 17-1.

Good luck to Cheltenham in the finals at Sunderland Aquatics centre at the end of April, they will be joined by Sedgefield, Scottish side Caledonia and South coast side Worthing.