Hammers 1st XV women’s make it 3-in-a-row!

he first fun bus of the season saw us make our way east to Medway. After waiting 8 years for their boys team to clear the changing rooms, we made our way once again to their tiny tiny pitch at the top of the hill as Medway remain terrified of full sized pitches.

It was a scrappy first half with errors from both teams restricting the fluidity of the match. Knock-ons and penalties were shared around as the forwards got to enjoy another scrum heavy game. Hammers quickly started to dominate at the lineout, with Medway’s one jumping option coming under pressure every time, however the opposition’s speed over the ball meant that frequent turnovers frustrated Hammers. The first half arm wrestle ended in a draw with both teams scoreless at half-time.

Medway ill-discipline early in the second half saw the Hammers within five metres of the Medway line. When Hammers earnt another penalty, Chloe Jennings saw the chance for a classic 9 score, taking a quick tap while Medway were in disarray and diving over the try line to put the first points on the board 0-5. Hammers started to dominate scrums, taking control of set-pieces but both teams were frustrated by the lack of free-flowing rugby. Medway tempers then continued to get the better of them when an on pitch disagreement ended with a Medway player seeing red after using Emma’s head for target practice (please see Veo footage for evidence). Even a man down, Medway continued to frustrate Hammers, holding the ball up twice to deny further points. With less than 5 minutes to go Hammers took advantage of turnover ball to exploit space out wide with Ella and Meg making strides towards the Medway line only to be stopped a couple of metres short. Chloe Eggers saw her opportunity to emulate the other Chloe and sniped over the line at close range. Sirri converted from a difficult angle to make it 0-12 at full time. A hard fought win and one that makes it 3 in a row for the 1XV.

Three wins in a row now, we’re keeping our momentum going. We reflected post game that it wasn’t quite the performance we’d have liked but we have three weeks now to get the 1 and 2 percent right before we get to smash Guildford at Hurlingham. We need to use this time to work hard on our intensity and game play so we run out in December ready to smash every team between us and Christmas. We’re an awesome squad – let’s put the hard work in at training these next few weeks to make sure we perform at our best.