Hammers 3s start fast to see off physical Ealing side

On a clear Saturday the Hammers 3s looked to make it two from two in the league. The side looked strong in team runs and there was an excited optimism as the team took the field.

This translated into a quick start as hammers kicked deep and then fullback Jake Cheetham ran the return kick straight back at the opposition. A series of well executed offloads and centre James Madigan dotted down to put hammers one score up after the first play of the game.

With their tails up the Hammers team dominated the next minutes of the game. A strong set piece gave the hammers consistent ball and flanker Jack Macgregor soon added his name to the score board.

Hammers continued to dominate the rest of the half with strong defence and well organised attack. Additional scores from Adam Howell and Ainsley Howard saw them go into the break with the score at 24-3.

The second half started with 15 minutes in which Ealing looked to get themselves back into the game, their big ball carriers attacking the Hammers line with renewed energy. However, the home side continued to soak up this pressure, getting off the line and tackling hard.

It was a different story in attack as the big lead resulted in some complacency, with increasingly ambitious offloading and balls going to ground. Prop Rob McKeon tipped this off with a Cipriani inspired no-look pass that resulted in an intercept try for the opposition.

With renewed focus from conceding, hammers pinned the opposition back in their half for much of the remainder of the game. When well organised defence isolated an Ealing ball carrier, the ball was turned over and spread quickly to the backs. Centre Adam Crompton found himself with ball in hand and looked up to see grass in front of him, galloping under the post for what would be the final play of the game.

The 3s now find themselves undefeated early in the season and will look to keep this record in the coming weeks.

MotM – Mart Omen

DotD – Conor Burke