Watford began 2016 with an emphatic 39-0 win at Mill Hill which leaves them just shy of the promotion places in Herts/Middlesex Two Phase One.

Visitors Watford made the ideal start with skipper Martin Lee crashing over in the corner to open the scoring early on.

Lee then got his second of the afternoon from close-range.

Watford underlined their supremacy when Sean Silver finished off a well-worked move for Watford's third try.

But Watford inexplicably switched off at that point and were forced to defend resolutely to keep the hosts out.

Luke Hammill got the fourth try to secure a bonus point before Lee wrapped up his hat-trick.

Richard Yates then touched downed following good work from man-of-the-match Jon McClennon.

With time almost up Andy Lee helped brother Martin score his fourth, and Watford's seventh, try of the afternoon.

Watford will move into the promotion places if they beat Uxbridge on Saturday after second-placed Hendon – who don't have a fixture – lost 16-3 at home to leaders Saracens Amateurs.