Watford lost their opening league fixture of the season 27-22 to Mill Hill in a game that was overshadowed by a leg injury to Watford prop George Hicks.

Hicks went down in the second half with an injury to his right leg which was later diagnosed as a fracture of the tibia and fibula.

Watford were already missing a number of regulars before the match but were still confident of overcoming their opponents.

It was the visitors however who scored first as the pacy winger rounded Watford’s cover defence to put the home side ahead.

This roused Watford, who began to show greater maturity with the ball in hand and eventually forced a scrum five metres from the opposition’s line.

From here pressure was put on the Mill Hill fly-half, forcing a fumble which was capitalised on by Peter Nelson for his first score of the season.

Watford soon found themselves a score down again. Excellent covering tackling from Greg Reeve and Luke Hammill stopped a certain try but when Watford were penalised, a quickly taken penalty saw the hosts score their second.

Watford began the second half strongly, and good work firstly from John Portway, and then Paul Dunlop forced a penalty which was converted by Tom McGee.

Mill Hill’s superior scrummaging power won them turnover ball from the restart which was well finished in the corner.

With the hosts two scores up, the game was halted by Hicks’ injury and after a lengthy delay, Watford refocused and went over through David D’Anna to bring themselves back within five points.