After weeks of firm pitches and Indian Summer rugby we finally saw the arrival of Monsoon season. Boy how we’ve all missed it!

Following a tight loss away to Medway the team’s feeling was that nothing other than a Bonus point W would do. A strong week of training meant the Hammers were in a good place to right the wrongs of the previous fortnight.

From the off the Hammers were keen to play front-foot rugby and to try and throw the ball about. Strong carries across the park gave the Hammers an early five metre attacking scrum. Having been penalised three times in the opening five minutes, Club Captain Rogan pictured himself getting beaten by Seb Money for the third time in a row in a game of Supa-5s. Channelling this aggression he obliterated his opposite man to give Harry Scarr the easiest of touchdowns at the back of the scrum. For most of the first half the Hammers were entirely dominant with the Geese barely able to get out of their own half. Our singular Goose, however, was putting himself about as only a hooker with a back-row complex can do. Two more well-worked tries followed, one from winger/9 Owen “Dominos” Bennett who swapped the XL Meat Feast Pizza for a meat-pie in the corner, and one from Dr. Lean from short-range after relentless forward pressure.

Jacko’s words of wisdom pre –match that “some of you ******s might not touch the ball today” was taken up as a challenge by some. Sean in particular could likely not have told you the brand of rugby ball we were playing with. He did, however, get to know the ankles of the opposition intimately well over the course of 80 minutes.

The middle portion of the game can largely be summarised as scrum, 1 phase, knock on, scrum, penalty, lineout (lost), Bicknell makes 40 metres, knock on, Tim Russell tries something outrageous, scrum etc. The particular highlight was Joe Carolan’s 50m charge-down try in the first play of the second half. The charge down was good, the celebratory dive was excellent!

After this followed a period of Hammers indiscipline and Wild Geese pressure. To credit our opposition, they kept the ball well over many phases and despite a big defensive effort from the Hammers tight 5, eventually powered over from close range.

The conversion for the second try coincided with Sam Nursey stepping the entire Grasshoppers team twice in the same run on the adjacent pitch. This proved the inspiration the Hammers backline needed to provide some final entertainment for our dedicated fans. Having already scored one himself, Joe Carolan unselfishly made sure he didn’t have enough gas in the tank to finish from a Mike Laverly cross-kick, instead offloading out of the tackle for Marshall to score in the corner. From the proceeding kick-off (and last play) the Hammers took the ball from touchline to touchline, and three rucks later Pete Bicknell scored under the sticks.

A particular mention to loyal servant Dr. Lean who played his final game for the club. He ends his Hammers career where he belongs, in the 2^nd row. We wish him all the best for his future in the West Country and thank him for his dedication to the club.

Massive thanks to everyone who came down to watch. Not that anyone is counting but we can add another fortnight to our 2 years and 2 month undefeated streak at Hurlingham Park. All in all a cracking Saturday for the club with four wins from four. Terry may need to re-mortgage…

 

On a sunny September Saturday london’s friendliest club made their way to a club from London- KCS Old Boys on this occasion. Off the back of a promising win against Camberley on debut in London 1; the mood echoed the weather and after a warm-up where line-outs were hit and backs moves were executed, the boys were confident of a result. Unfortunately, this was probably as good as the mood got on the day and to be honest there was not much of any note to be taken from the following 80 minutes.

The early exchanges were dominated by the Hammers consistency- consistently not clearing rucks, dropping balls and defensive clangers. The Old Boys somehow managed to capitalise on this fine start by the Hammers with a one out runner splitting the centres and giving the scorers their first work of the day. Coach Mark introducing the home crowd to some subtleties of the English Language on the touchline. 5-0 .Before long they had doubled this to 10. Can’t quite remember how this happened but it was probably a catch and drive or something; that’s this new set-piece thing that teams in London 1 are trying out this year. I’m sure we’ll crack it eventually.

Rarer than a steak fried for a minute either side- some clean ball from the scrum facilitated by Andrew Regan pushing and shoving allowed Ross Anderson to unleash the backs. This clean ball, coupled with another London 1 winger gazing longingly at Tim Russell’s luscious locks gave just enough time and space for Tim to break down the edge. A supportive line from Marshall Mcleod allowed the Scot to gallop over under the sticks; a rare highpoint for the Hammers in a largely turgid affair. The Caravan added the extras. 10-7.

Penalties were exchanged leaving the score 13-10 at half-time. Leaving all to play for in the second half.

It’s fair to say there was a rocket of sorts shot up the backsides of the lads at half time. Whilst defence was tightened -led by the ascendant Harry Scarr- and phases were sort of put together, there really isn’t much to write for the following 40 minutes. Interest was piqued for the home crowd when a quick tap from the Old Boys outside half identifying Hammers only having a local Tory MP and a Hobbit on the right hand side. They subsequently went coast to coast and recorded the only score of the second half. 20-10.

The rest of the game was largely played out with scrum after scrum largely to the dismay of the backs and 99% of people watching. The arousal of the 6 front rowers going hammer and tong was palpable and probably marks a highpoint on a pretty rough day at the office. Final score 20-10.

It would be hard to write a match report without including our departing leader Josh Mcclean. In the words of Salt-N-Pepa, ‘what a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man’. Arguably not the send off worthy of a great man, but it’s fair to say what the club has achieved with him steering the ship is nothing short of remarkable. All the best up in Sheffield Big guy! Some significant boots to fill for Joe Caravan, I personally cannot wait to hear his version of ‘nothing from me’ when asked if he has anything to add at training.

The Hammers face a tough trip to Medway in 2 weeks time; this will be a real indicator of character and the boys will be looking for a response.

 

 

Hammersmith and Fulham 4s XV went into Saturday having recorded back-to-back losses, amounting to the team’s worst start to a season for four years. Yet, in a week where petrol was scarcer than veterans at training, nothing would prevent the Hammers from turning up in droves to right the wrongs of previous weeks.

So focused on the mission at hand was Marsh, and so keen to flaunt his back-to-school plimsols, that bringing appropriate footwear was no longer a significant concern. With the team assembled, and boots adequately redistributed, a storm was coming to Feltham.

Literally, a storm was brewing. As if Steve “Scotty T” Danby had summoned the mighty Zeus himself with his rousing words and sultry Geordie twang, a biblical tempest gathered over the outer reaches of West London.

Kicking into the wind to start the game, Hammers fly-half, Nick Emmett, bounced the ball along the ground to only just make it past 10. What appeared to the untrained eye to be a pathetic fumble of a kick, was indeed a beautiful masterstroke from the well-versed veteran to nullify the, now, gale-force winds.

A strong defensive set in the Feltham half and penalty turn-over won the ball back and put the Hammers on the front foot. Kicking to the corner, the ever-wise Emmett deciding to get the ball off the ground this time, the Hammers threatened an attacking lineout.

Three Feltham turnovers and re-entries into the 22 later, Marsh, on debut and feeling the 99-agility of his recently borrowed boots, dropped a shoulder to cross the whitewash and score the opening points of the game.

0-7 to the visitors. A good start.

With a pack size to rival the Springboks, Feltham came back swinging, crashing time and again upon the Hammers defence. After 5 minutes of relentless pressure, the flood defences gave out. The sluice gates opened and Feltham trundled over the line.

5-7

For the subsequent 20 minutes, a period characterised by knock-ons, forward passes and lost balls in contact, either the Hammers backs hadn’t cleaned the hair-pomade from their pre-match ritual off their hands, or the weather was starting to take its toll.

Pacey debutant Dan Chirwa dropped a pass from Jamie Drysdale, who had boshed through the Feltham centres, to squander a 2 vs. 1 on the fullback and an undeniable try-scoring opportunity. Such was the apparent error, that when gifted exactly the same opportunity 5 minutes later, Drysdale flagrantly ignored Chirwa’s cries and put ball to laces rather than risk the apparent danger of another pass in those conditions.

Late in the half and exploiting Feltham’s eagerness to “Fold the 9” (as was overheard several times), Tomos withheld his offload from the top of an attacking line-out, jumped to the floor and simply strolled through the Feltham pack cross the line without challenge.

12-5 at half time.

Forced changes to the Hammers 9/10 combination on either side of half time due to injury seemed to cause confusion, as the ball was suddenly finding its way to the wing without hitting the turf. With another debutant Ollie Boulton filling in at 9, and the revelations of what was possible, Hammers discovered an entirely new region of the pitch – the 15-metre line.

Now, to be honest, I don’t remember much of the second half because I spent most of it gasping for oxygen like a fish out of water (pretty sure I’ve missed a try in here somewhere, sincere apologies Ed Haynes), but from what could be discerned between frantic breaths, the Hammers had discovered their Joue Joue.

Apparently fresh off watching a Quade Cooper highlights reel, Ollie Boulton threw shoulders left and right to weave through the Feltham pack for another try. In the dying embers of the game, again appearing as the protagonist in our tale, Marsh (playing 8 by the way) cleared his own lines with a monstrous kick to an isolated Feltham forward, only to recollect the ball himself and offload to a charging Scotty T who topped off an ultimate breakaway try.

Final score: 5-36

With a roster of scorers spread across many positions, strong performances from a string of debutants playing out of position, and a genuinely impressive 50% conversion rate in ungodly conditions, the 4s displayed their strength in depth and unity as a team. Bring on the rest of the season!

 

On Saturday 7^th March, Hammers made the coach journey north to play Welwyn in a rearranged fixture, the original postponed due to heavy rains and waterlogged pitches. Having been humbled at the hands of our Garden Centre friends in the corresponding fixture last year, this time round the back stories were very different: Hammers sat in 2^nd place, chasing promotion, whilst Welwyn are in the dog fight at the of foot the table that we know only too well.

The weekend was previously earmarked as an “off week” and we were without a couple of first team regulars- those in the team fortunate enough to have other friends and a social life (or, in Alex Hart’s case, a date with a Granny). Pleasingly, the depth to our squad meant we were able to call up very capable replacements.  One such replacement was Marshall “nice tie” MacLeod, who pitched up dressed like a school work experience student, but will have impressed the boss on his first XV debut (more on that later). Iain Downie and Joe Healy made their first starts. The latter coming good on his promise to take Rogan’s position, leaving our club captain to supervise the valuables bag on the sidelines, a role he takes very seriously.

Welwyn kicked off the first half, playing away from the club house. The sky was grey, but holding firm, and there was just a light wind blowing across the pitch. A sizeable Welwyn support was in attendance hoping to see their team get the win to salvage their season. We had Ash. And it was the Welwyn support, rather than Ash, who had the first thing to cheer about. Ten minutes in, possession was coughed up by the backs- *spoiler alert- this will be an ongoing theme *. On this occasion it was via a loose clearance kick and the Welwyn back line countered. A neat chip forward by the Welwyn right winger bounced awkwardly, deceiving the chasing Hammersmith players, and he regathered before dotting over. Not a good start. On the Touch line smoke billowed from Coach Jacko’s ears.  Rogan had missed it. He was watching the valuables bag.

The conversion went wide- *spoiler alert- ongoing theme*- and play was resumed with the Hammers very keen to make amends for the slow start. Steve John, the clubs second best doctor, carried hard in his usual fashion and as the team started to play the structure, the Welwyn defence opened up. Prop Joe Healy found himself through a hole and into daylight, somewhat to the surprise of his teammates, but unfortunately, like several other similar opportunities, the Hammers failed to capitalize.

And Hammers were lucky not find themselves another try down when, amidst a pile of bodies over the Hammer’s try line, it looked like Welwyn’s Alex Gee-esque winger had grounded the ball.  The referee didn’t see it- a let off for Hammers. The smoke cloud above Jacko’s head was expanding. Rogan wasn’t sure what happened. He still had his eyes firmly on the valuables bag.

Next was another collective groan from the Hammers faithful (Ash) when debutant fly half Marsh took a hard knock to the head, and seemed to be struggling. Our physio assessed him and was happy for Marsh to go on. The referee, however, wasn’t as convinced, and requested Marsh to jog 2 steps forwards then 5 steps backwards, before giving him his blessing. An unconventional HIA, but an outcome we welcomed.

From this point, Hammers started to take hold of the game. An overthrow from a Welwyn lineout in their own 22 bounced into the hands of Steve, the second best doctor, and he had a clear run in to the line. Even the recently single Ben Hatton couldn’t not convert. 5-7. What followed was a frustrating period where Hammers strung together a lot of good play but didn’t finish the chances. The doctors exchanged offloads, and the second rows, Xander and Josh, carried hard. Cale “I’ll come back now Hammers are second” Holmes harried well around the rucks, and Rogan, who due to an administrative error had found himself relieved of his valuables bag duties, executed the perfect “plus one”.

Unfortunately, a rugby team is 47% backs, and it seemed their basic skills were alluding them. Whilst our props were plus one-ing exquisitely, a back- who doesn’t currently have a plus one- Ben Hatton, was struggling to master the simple hand catch. On one such occasion, the forwards broke in the midfield, trading a series of delightful passes out of the tackle. Up the field the Hammers surged, the Welwyn defence sucked in, the overlap was on. Scrum half to Flyhalf. Pass and catch completed. Flyhalf to Inside centre. Pass and catch completed. So far so good. Inside centre to outside centre. This is going really well. Outside centre to Ben Hatton. Fumbled. Normality resumed. Try of the season cancelled. This was to be a repeating pattern. I recall that at one point, the ball was even passed straight into touch- a back believing that thin air would have more chance of executing the catch than his outside man.

Anyway, before this report becomes more negative than Pete Benson at a toddler’s birthday party, and longer and more drivelling than an Alex Gee team talk, I’m going to stop “back-bashing” and speed it up: We went on to score 6 further tries and play some decent rugby intermittently. Second on the score board was Cillian Waldron who intercepted in the Hammers half. The run-in was labored but he made it. Hatton did not make the kick. 5-10.

Next was J-Lo, who over the years has scored for fun despite his unconventional style of moving like the knight on a chess board: 2 steps horizontally for each step forwards. To quote the man himself (as I can’t remember): “right hand side, 40 out, ran in hard, handed off their 7 in the face and just turned on the Nos. It was a deadly mix of power and pace”. The same cannot be said for Hatton’s missed conversation. Northerner Purv chalked Hammers’ 4th. Again, I can’t remember what happened (I tend to look away when the backs get the ball) so here’s his account: “Aye oop! Ball came t’Iain, who passed t’ ‘atton who fed me t’dive acrobat’cally int’ corner. Ta ta.” (that’s how Northerners speak, right?!). Not converted.

After the break Iain Downie got try number 6. The scrum half who’d moved house at 11am that morning, 1 hour before the team bus departed, showing similar quick speed of thought to pick and go, throw the dummy and go over the whitewash. A Hatton slice and hook cancelled each other out and the ball accidentally sailed over the posts for a rare conversion.  Next up was Xander who galloped under the sticks after supporting a Steve John break and offload.  J-lo scuffed the quick drop goal. Not sure why it was even attempted- a strong DOTD contender.

The last try was scored by yours truly thanks to some guile from Hammersmith front rower/ Tory back bencher, Jacob “Reece Mogg” Poulton. Hammers were awarded a penalty 5m out and jolly Jacob called a quick tap. His swift hands found me in-between two defenders. I didn’t pass (rarely do), stuck my head down and barreled over. On a very slight angle, 15m in from the touch line, the kick proved too difficult.

There were no further scores from either team. Welwyn found their second wind in the final quarter and, had it not been for Marsh’s fantastic chase back and covering tackle, and a couple of vital Second Best Doctor turnovers, they may well have pinched one back at the end. But they didn’t and the final whistle was blown. Final score 39-5.  The sheepish looks as we shuffled into the team huddle with Jacko at the end said it all- we knew we’d been far off our best. However, it could be argued 7 tries and a bonus point win on an “off day’ ain’t bad.

This past week’s current affairs have been eventful to say the least. With a pandemic upon as and with major sporting competitions around the country falling one by one, it may only be a matter of time before London North West 2 experiences a similar fate. In these uncertain times, this could be the last match report for a while. What is certain though, is that whenever we next play: Rogan will still know where the valuables bag is, Hatton will still be dropping balls, and Hammers will still be chasing down London Welsh. And we’re going to catch them.

MOTM- Zander Stephen (strong carries and hard work)

DOTD- Ben Hatton (see above)

After a good win the week before, Hammers third XV travelled to the middle of nowhere to play a strong Feltham side that like us, were looking to secure a spot in the play offs come the end of the season. After a long walk through a swamp from the changing rooms to the pitch the 3’s spirits were lifted by an opposition who strolled out to do there warm up half an hour before kick off. With Strong winds blowing we knew that this wasn’t going to be the day for wild looping passes, and with some big lads in their pack we knew that tackling low was going to be important to stop them from getting over the game line.

In the first half Hammers had the wind behind us so we knew that we had to use it to our advantage to clear the ball from our lines. From the kick-off however, the hammers were put under pressure as catching the ball seemed to elude some of our players and Feltham regathered their own kick off. After several phases of pressure and some big runs from their NO8, hammers found themselves having to re-group under the posts. The conversion was pushed just wide of the posts and the score was 0-5.

Soon after our kick off and after some well placed kicks from full back Steve Harris, Hammers found their way into the opposition 22. After repeat pressure and some good hands from the backs, Tom McGurk found himself blasting over the try line for what was to be the first of two tries for the centre. With the conversion missed the scores were level at 5-5. Soon after this, Hammers were back in the oppo 22 and Gerky found himself barging over in the same spot he had crossed over only a few minutes earlier. Conversion missed and the score was 10-5 to Hammers. Not long before Half time Feltham got one back and with the conversion it was 10-10.

HT 10-10

With the wind Against us in the second half, Hammers know that ball retention was going to be important. Unfortunately, we seemed to enjoy throwing loopy passes to no-one which meant that Feltham were given a lot of easy possession and territory and it was only down to the amazing defence of the Hammers that they did not cross the try line. It took 30 minutes for the first try of the second try of the game to be scored. This time, Shaun Coitus – returning from injury – had an easy run on his first game of the season since his latest injury to make it 15-10. With Steve Harris making the conversion it was 17-10.

Feltham his back a few minutes later and scored an easy try after a penalties and missed passes allowed them an easy walk in to make it 17-15. From the re-start, Feltham again drove back down to the Hammers 22. The previous try had given them hope of a late comeback but a turnover from Captain Cook put an end to that dream. After winning the lineout, Hammers kicked the ball out to secure a scrappy 17-15 win. It wasn’t pretty, but Hammers know that they will need to improve on this performance ahead of their cup semi final away to Hampstead on the 29^th.

FT-17-15

Man of the Match: Tom Mohan for outstanding play.

Dick of the Day: Shaun Curtis for rollin around with cramp and Tom McGurk for Hattrick avoidance