WATTON RFC travelled to Thetford II for this first Merit League fixture and just lost out by a single point 20-19.Bright sunshine saw perfect conditions as the game got under way.

WATTON RFC travelled to Thetford II for this first Merit League fixture and just lost out by a single point 20-19.

Bright sunshine saw perfect conditions as the game got under way. Watton received the kick-off and were put under immediate pressure from a well-drilled and organised Thetford pack, rewarded with a penalty 10 minutes in, which was duly converted for a 3-0 lead.

The re-start saw a similar outcome, with the home side controlling play.

Lacklustre defence and a failure to control the ball in the contact area gifted possession to the home side that ran through a non-existent defence to touch down a converted score to make it 10-0.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Watton got to grips with the game and began to control the contact area, giving quality ball to the backs and Stone, at 10, broke the defence to feed Jolly for a well-worked score, with Stone converting to make it 10-7. Thetford, being pushed back into the 22, retaliated with a breakaway score, bringing the half to an end 17-7.

An immediate penalty saw Thetford increase their lead to 20-7, which would prove to be the only second-half score for the home side.

As Watton surged into the game, Bobby Graham-Park tore through the defence bringing the play up to the line and winning a scrummage against the head, which gave Tilley the space to drive over the line, unconverted, for 20-12.

Watton remained dominant at the contact area, giving Stone ample balls to attack the Thetford backs and a magnificent display of individual skill saw Stone break away to score, converting his own try, to make it 20-9.

With 10 minutes remaining, Watton attacked strongly, with Stone again terrorising the home side with a devastating display of attacking rugby, but Thetford held out.