Hammers Falter at Maidenhead

With a bus trip on the cards, it was an early start for the Hammers lads, meeting nice and early at the 8 Bells, their home away from home. Everything was pointing to a great day of rugby, with conditions looking exceptional and morale at an all time high coming off the back of a huge win against Camberley. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Maidenhead, a formidable place to go, was the venue of the day, with their Rugby-come-hockey pitch being the surface that the 3pm battle would occur on. The Hammers lads knew that they would be challenged today, as Maidenhead have turned their home ground into somewhat of a fortress, playing the surface well and beating top half challengers Old Alleynians and Bracknell there most recently.

The game starts very much as expected, with both teams carrying well and tackling hard, with Dan Hostetler putting in some big hits against his former club. After some time, Hammers make a great break through midfield and send a kick deep into the Maidenhead half, alleviating the intense early pressure that Maidenhead have been applying. Maidenhead defended some Hammers phases well and make an excellent clearing kick to near the halfway.

Maidenhead steal the lineout and win a penalty almost immediately after sending the ball just inside the Hammers half for an attacking lineout. A big carry from the Maidenhead pack off their 10 is unsurprisingly dealt with by Marcus McNeil, who (shock horror) makes a fantastic chop tackle. His first of 2 in 3 phases. Unfortunately Hammers stray offside, allowing Maidenhead to send the ball deep into the Hammers 22 for an attacking lineout.

Maidenhead execute the lineout well and steamroll towards the Hammers line. The maul is brought down right on the line and the referee has no choice but to yellow card Scott van Berckel and give a penalty try. The first of 3 cards for Hammers on the day. No conversion needed, 13 minutes gone and it’s 7-0 to Maidenhead.

In true Hammers fashion, it has taken a score to wake the boys up, and the response is immediate. Off the kick off, Maidenhead infringes directly in front of the post on their own 10-meter line, allowing Joe Carolan to step and slot the kick with ease. 15 minutes played, 7-3 to Maidenhead.

The subsequent kick off doesn’t go 10, and a scrum is set on halfway. Hammers fumble the scrum and Maidenhead turn it over. The ball is sent deep into the Hammers half, applying more pressure to the Hammers, continuing the theme of the game so far. Maidenhead steal the lineout but are adjudged to have knocked it on, scrum Hammers in their own 22. A penalty to Maidenhead and they opt for another scrum  – wise considering the advantage they have had thus far. A fantastic strike move off the scrum and they carve through the Hammers defence like a hot knife through butter. Kick made, 14-3 Maidenhead with 19 minutes gone.

Mere minutes pass until Hammers next chance. A penalty is sent deep into the Maidenhead half and a clever move sets a maul up at the lineout. This is well dealt with, however two subsequent phases of slick handling by the backs sends Ben Dugdale in for what is an easy but very well taken try. Kick missed, 14-8.

Thus far, it has been much like a heavyweight boxing match, with both teams landing some good blows and applying pressure, however the judges, much like the scoreboard, would have Maidenhead up so far. After some good phases by both teams Hammers finally manage to keep the ball for a few phases and a smooth offload to Tim Russell sends him charging into the Maidenhead half. Some positive carries lead to a Hammers penalty which is taken quickly by Sam Seymour, who darts through making even more yards, taking Hammers to the Maidenhead 22.

Another penalty, and Hammers send the ball to the corner, some 10 metres out from the Maidenhead line. The maul is expertly defended; however, a penalty is given away at a ruck just after. Here is the first of two absolute brain fades from Hammers in the game. Rather than send the ball to the corner, take the points, tap and go, or even take a scrum; Marshall sends a cross-field kick over to Dugdale, who despite his biggest leap is beaten to it by a winger who must be around a foot taller than him. The Maidenhead commentary sum it well with shout of “you do not do that” in harmony with a “f***ing hell” from the Hammers touchline.

After some more back and forth, Hammers get a lineout just outside the Maidenhead 22, which Dan sends zipping to the back. The ball is well taken by Seb Rivett, and distributed out to what we think…is that is Josh AA? However the Veo is fairly zoomed out and he is very small, so it is hard to tell. I will presume it is him as some good yards are made and it has taken two people to tackle him. Hammers play two more phases before Marshall pops a lovely pass up for Tim Russell who must have taken Salsa classes in Costa Rica as he dances through the Maidenhead defence under the sticks. Easy kick for Carolan, 14-15 Hammers.

The second half starts, with both teams evenly matched and the game set up for another relentless half. It is relatively even until a handling error by the Maidenhead prop falls directly into the hands of Josh AA. He crashes through two Maidenhead players and gets a great offload away some 20 meters up the pitch, sending Hammers deep into the Maidenhead 22. I do have to check the playback speed is not set to 0.5x at this point though, as he seems to be running in slow motion.  Some good phases result in a penalty being awarded, which is made by Carolan. 14-18 Hammers after 45 minutes. This is followed up by another one just 10 minute later, with the scores at 14-21 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Another 10 minutes later and Hammers, when trying to exit, give away a penalty for holding on in their own 22.  Maidenhead go for the corner, however, cannot execute and Hammers win the ball back. They clear the ball well, but give another penalty away, allowing Maidenhead to this time opt for the shot of goal. An excellent kick from the 10-meter line sails over, 67 mins gone 17-21 Hammers.

In a game that has been fiercely contested so far, there is a moment of madness. Zak Underwood, wearing 19 but starting 1, is fooling no one with his attempt at a disguise. A ruck in the centre of the field is well won by Hammers, with Dan fending off his ex-team mates alongside Zak. The Maidenhead 4 comes in to disrupt the ruck, charging into Underwood. He takes a second bite, and in response Underwood charges into the impact. There is a clear clash of heads just meters from the referee, and the Maidenhead 4 has dropped to the floor. A damming picture is painted, and the ref has no other choice than to send Zak walking with a straight red. He begrudgingly walks off the pitch knowing full well he has let his team down here. Credit to Maidenhead who, in the club house after, accept the jug of beer from Underwood as penance for his sins, and handle the incident with class.

This was the beginning of the end for an already under pressure Hammersmith. After some phases Hammers, a man down, get a scrum midway into the Hammers half. Maidenhead make use of their extra man and win a penalty, sending it once again into the Hammers 22. They knock on at the line out, however they know that this does not matter as any scrum is a positive for them now. Another penalty and another scrum chosen. They spin the ball wide off the scrum but are brought down just meters from the line. The forwards take charge and pick ang go, hammering the Hammers line (if you’ll pardon the pun). Another penalty, and the hat-trick of cards for Hammersmith is shown. A yellow for Marshall for infringing at the ruck leaves Hammers defending their line with 13 men.

Unsurprisingly, Maidenhead opt for the scum. This time, no penalty is awarded, and Hammers defend the next few phases well, driving Maidenhead back several meters. The numerical advantage eventually shows as the Hammers defence gets sucked in, leaving a 4 on 2 overlap which is executed well by Maidenhead, much to the delight of the fans and commentary team. The Maidenhead 11 slots the kick, on what has been a great day for him off the boot. 77 minutes played, 24-21 Maidenhead.

Maidenhead take the kick off well and clear the ball, Hammers charge back but knock the ball on. The scrum is well won by Maidenhead. Calm heads are needed here, and Maidenhead execute some strong pick and goers despite some extremely forceful hits from the Hammers defence. The game is closed out well by Maidenhead. A tough day for Hammers, not helped by their discipline. Maidenhead, who applied all the pressure at the right times, deserve the win. Final score 24-21 Maidenhead.

MOTM – Tim Russell, not content with just being back in the team, decided to put on a show for the Maidenhead fans. What else were we to expect.

DOTD – Zak Underwood, who on a day with 3 cards for Hammers manages to take this one with ease.