Small decisions let the Bastards 2s down

Super Saturday. The day when boys become men, girls become women, and English fans continue to cry into their Guinness as they suffer another year without winning Six Nations. But there was greater tyranny to conquer that day, the Battersea Ironsides.

The Bastards were feeling fresh and rested, having been deprived of rugby for three weeks, a drought that would make California jealous. The sun was out, the men were keen, and as Nugget pulled up 30 minutes to kick-off, the boys were finally ready to begin their warm-ups and take on the challenge.

As the ref’s whistle blew, and the ball was kicked off, and the Hammers began their assault. Ollie Weaver opened up the action with a crossfield kick to Josh Daydora, an omen that the jouer gods would smile on us. The Hammers began their march up pitch with strong carries from George Bradshaw and Paddy O’Toole leaving body after body in their way. After a struggle for possession in the oppo 22, the backs spin it wide to find Louis Bielle-B-, I mean, Emile Binse who dots it down for a try. Ollie’s conversion cuts through the air and sales across the crossbar. 7-0 Hammers

But this good fortune and sexy rugby play ended much like my first time, much too soon, tearful, and with all parties disappointed, as not long after the next kick-off, the Ironsides would go on to block the Hammers’ clearance kick and score a cute consolation try. 7-7

We’ve never seen Nugget do 3 pints

Soon after the next kickoff, Battersea is awarded a penalty within their own 22-metre and look to get on the front foot. Unfortunately for them, Ed Wynne and Dan Ah Kuoi stand opposite them in the next scrum. Through the power of friendship and Russell Wingfield’s moustache, the Bastards’ scrum dominates and drives back the south-of-the-river pagans. The Bastards push on through the adversity of some choice penalties. Penalties are awarded back-and-forth with both teams jockeying for possession within each other’s 22-meter lines. The omnipresent Jack McGregor and Dan Perry are everywhere in open defensive play, dropping Ironsidemen with ferocious tackles.

It’s a nail-biting affair with line breaks and turnovers from both teams. Who will crack first? The Ironside 12’s ribs would answer that question as Sandy “I’m Not Gonna Fight Anyone” Duncan proceeds to send the man to the shadow realm with a spine buster of a tackle. After some short-lived argie bargie, we are back in the action with a penalty awarded to Ironside. The Bastards are marched back the standard 20 metres given after a penalty, where the Ironsides would convert a penalty kick. 10-7 Ironsides

After the next kickoff, the teams were at a stalemate with clearance kick after clearance kick from both sides. It’s a battle of titans as the evenly matched teams continue to turn the ball over from each other, but fail to finish. Andrew Martin, a Hammer who doesn’t have that problem, delivers some thunderous tackles and carries in the 13 channel to get the boys upfield. The Bastards spill the ball forward to the Ironsides, but fortunately, George can poach every ball within 10 meters of him and would proceed to put this skill on display. Finally, an opportunity presents itself as Emile breaks the line in open play to find Dylan Bilski, Josh and Sam Nursey on an overlap. The good guys’ deliver some crafty off-loading that would lead to Sam scoring the team’s second try of the day. With the conversion sailing wide, the men go into halftime up 15-10

The Hammers begin the second half with a kick chase that has Sam take the ball in the air like an AFL superstar, only to be rewarded with an interesting penalty to the Ironsides. The joy of the Ironsides is short-lived as George proceeds to win yet another penalty in the ruck (I’ve lost count at this point). After a reasonable and forgivable four penalties within the Ironsides 5-metre line, the Hammers decide to extend the lead with a penalty kick from Ollie. 18-10 Hammers

Deja Vu strikes and the Ironsides find themselves scoring directly after the Hammers again. This time the Irsonsides score through a line out trick play involving a lead blocker. An interesting choice of tactic. As they say, “ball don’t lie”, and the conversion sails wide right. 18-15 Hammers

George Bagshaw getting good forward

Soon after the next kick-off, the Bastards find themselves within striking distance in the left corner after winning a much-deserved penalty. “What do we think?”, Jack asks the group of feral forwards. A leaning Ed, with hands on his thighs, looks up through his eyebrows with a shit-eating grin and whispers, “It’s maulin’ time”. We’re so back. With a dart that would make Luke Littler cry, Paddy hits a soaring George, and the boys push on for the try line. Our friendly neighbourhood forward, Sandy, proceeds to join the crushing maul and score. 25-15 Hammers

Not to be outdone, shortly after the next kickoff, the Ironsides plagiarise the entire sequence of the Hammers, catchphrase and all, and dot a maul down in the right corner (sans conversion). 25-22 Hammers

The pain would continue for the Hammers as, in the next phase of open play, the Ironside 9 would proceed to run around the entire defensive line and offload to his teammate for an 80-metre try. 25-27 Hammers

In the proceeding kickoff, Valerio “The Italian Stallion” Marcantongini and Lucas Sopher delivered some punishing hits as the Hammers looked to get back over the line again. With a penalty won through Alfie Thelwell’s textbook shithousery, a maul try looked all but certain. Unfortunately, the Hammers could not reach the promised land and the Ironsides were awarded a penalty in their 5-metre. As is normal with a penalty in the laws of the game, the Hammers were marched back 20 metres.

The Hammers would not be deterred and were determined to continue their strong defensive efforts, delivering hit after hit. The Ironsides proceed to attempt a 50-22, which fails miserably. The Hammers attempt a 50-22 of their own, but unfortunately, the ball bounces 5 metres within the opposite 22 and the Ironsides regain possession. It becomes a story of 50-22 attempts as the Ironside 9 delivers a successful 50-22 of his own, giving the Ironsides a chance to put the Bastards away for good. The Bastards do not relent and hold strong, preventing any chance of a maul try and winning a penalty in open play. The clearance from Ollie is kept in-bounds by the oppo 6 and the Ironsides are awarded a generous high tackle penalty. The Ironsides maul to kill whatever time remains and eventually kick the ball in touch. It’s so over.

Final Score – Hammersmith 25 – 27 Battersea

As the agony of defeat set in, the boys regrouped and shared pride in their efforts. The Bastards felt back. The Bastards would go on to convene at Temperance and then Belushi’s to drink, and I’m not exaggerating, one millions beers. The bastards return against Belsize Park next week. Who doesn’t love a sequel. Tune in, and get keen.

MOTM George Bradshaw, this man was literally everywhere except the pub after 10pm
DOTDNugget, I’ve never seen him chop 3 pints

Try Scorers – Sandy Duncan (1), Sam Nursey (1), Emile Binse (1)
Penalties – Ollie Weaver (1)
Conversions – Ollie Weaver (2)

A familar story as Hammers fall short in the second half

Old Alleynians came to Hurlingham park sat just one place above Hammers in the league, but with some very impressive results in their first season at Level 5, not least their comfortable home win against the Hammers before Christmas, which showed them to be a well-drilled and hard-carrying attacking outfit with a solid defence to boot. Hammers knew that they were within one victory of securing their place in the league next season, whilst OAs are within reach of a commendable top half finish.

The game kicked off and for the first ten minutes the action was largely in Hammers half as we were hard put to it and under pressure. Eventually a line break for OAs down the left led to some desperate last ditch defending, and star winger and player of the season contender Timmy Russell decided he was sick of sampling meat pies every week and wanted a nice fat slice of cheddar instead.  He stuck a hand out at the back of ruck to deliberately knock the ball down and received a yellow card for cynical foul play, trotting off for a breather after barely breaking a sweat.

OAs went to the corner but some rugged maul defence from our forward pack held them up over the line to give hammers a reprieve. Unfortunately Sam Seymour’s (another player of the season contender if there ever was one) goal line drop kick dribbled along and barely cleared the 22 so the respite was brief. After some patient and tidy attack OAs crashed over  and converted to lead 7-0.

Marcus McNeil, Hammer’s leading tackler, warming up his shoulders.

The next ten minutes were spent between the 22s with some territorial play and a spot of kick tennis. Eventually OAs gained the upper hand and had a lineout in the Hammers 22. Their maul was rumbling along nicely and a second score looked inevitable before the OAs hooker spotted a white streak beneath him and fell to the floor, but had mistaken the 5m for the tryline and was well short of his mark. Instant dick of the day, made worse when Jackler Supreme Sam Seymour pounced on the idiot and won a penalty for the Hammers. Unfortunately we failed to manufacture a clean exit from our territory, and were back in our 22 under pressure just a few phases later. This pressure resulted in a penalty just left of the post, but OAs kicker on an otherwise flawless day out missed this sitter. A missed pen, a held up try, and a try over the 5m meant that hammers could consider themselves fortunate to have weathered this early storm with only a 7 point deficit to show for it.

From the 22 drop out after the missed pen, with his earlier effort no doubt front of mind, the Eversharp Senor Seymour took a short drop out to himself to regain possession for Hammers. A penalty for a late tackle gave hammers excellent field position, and Captain Tom went to a sneaky lineout move that has very much become a banker for the hammers in these last few weeks. The move goes as follows: [REDACTED]. Games are won and lost on those top two inches. Joe ‘Los Cojones Dorados’ Carolan converted and it was 7-7 after 15 minutes.

Hammers had woken up and were looking much more fluent. Eoin Baker, of Cornwall, and Josh Asafu-Adjaye, of munchkinland, led the way with strong carrying and linked up to put Eoin clear through with a Dugdale on his shoulder and only the full back to beat but was pulled back as the ref had accidentally obstructed an OAs defender.

We gained field position through back to back breakdown infringements from OAs, before some patient attack and building through the phases gave an opportunity for Sam to link up down the blindside with a Dugdale, (likely Ben), before the ball was offloaded to Timmy, who decided he rather preferred meat pies to cheddar and finished nicely in the corner. Joe slotted the conversion to make it 14-7.

Following the restart hammers cleared well but found themselves very much asleep at the wheel in the kick chase. Eeeeeeeeoin Baker chased well and tackled his man into touch, during which time the OAs lad through an ambitious round the back offload which may have strayed a few yards forward. Unfortunately no refs whistle was forthcoming and the only player in the vicinity to keep playing was the OAs scrum half, who collected nicely for a clean break before dishing infield for a simple score. Converted to make it 14-14.

More bad news for Hammers at the restart. Little Josh AA chased hard with his eyes on the ball, but unfortunately did not rise as high as the OAs catcher (how could the lad, he’s knee high to a daisy). He accidentally took out the receiver in the air, and saw yellow for it.

From the penalty kick to touch, Seb ‘the padlock’ Rivet was an absolute nuisance in the OAs maul, forcing them to get the ball out and a poor kick from the OAs flyhalf went straight down Timmy’s throat. After beating two defenders, he returned the kick with interest and chased hard to force OAs to touch down behind their line for a Hammers scrum 5m out.

A slick backs move straight from the training paddock gave Joe Carolan a half gap, as defenders rushed to meet him he threw a lovely long ball to Max Dugdale who splashed down in the corner. Conversion missed, 19-14 at half time.

The second half started cagily, eventually those two recurring Hammers demons raised their ugly heads once more: silly offloads and poor discipline. This gave OAs territory and possession and their well-drilled attack worked through the phases before scoring off a good forward carry off 9.

Errors were compounded as immediately after kickoff OAs kicked the ball to the hammers backfield where some sloppy passing saw the ball go to deck to be collected by the OAs chaser who scored under the sticks.

Suddenly hammers were 19-28 down.

Seb Rivett ready to spoil OA’s lineout

A better restart followed and Hammers showed some life. A strong defensive set resulted in some kick tennis, and the remarkable sight of veteran prop Andrew Rogan finding himself in backfield, taking a clean catch before distributing to Ben Dugdale. Strong carries again from Eoin, Josh, and number 8 Steve John gave hammers ascendancy before another loose offload turned over possession and OAs went haring up the field. A classic Joe Carolan rip turnover gave a slight reprieve but the clearing kick didn’t go far. Again with territory and possession OAs showed how clinical they can be, stretching the hammers defence off first phase before a series of good forward carries gave their 9 multiple runners to pick from and he didn’t miss, finding their number 8 and eventual man of the match, who scored under the sticks.

19-35

After this the game opened up a bit and both sides played rather helter skelter. A trademark jackal in midfield from flyhalf Mackerel McDoogle followed by a quick tap penalty and some nice hands took Hammers up to the OAs 5m, but unfortunate the support was not there quickly enough and OAs won the penalty at the breakdown. A bit of lip from a Hammer resulted in the ref marching a further 10m and the OAs could get well clear of any danger.

At the lineout Seb Rivet did his best Mr Fantastic impression, reaching up for a glorious lineout steal and then Steve John set off on a rampaging carry to take us into the 22. Hammers stringed a few phases together nicely, before Ben Dugdale beat multiple defenders to finish nicely in the corner.

24-35

The score went unchanged for the final 10 mins despite hammers best efforts to secure a second bonus point. Ultimately a competitive match and a reasonable performance from the men in red. OAs are a strong outfit and good addition to the league and the 3 unanswered tries at the beginning of the second half were the difference between the sides.

Motm: Steve John for a remarkable ‘double double’ of 13 tackles and 10 carries in a real all action display. Special mention to SvB who achieved the elusive ‘double double’, and club captain Jonesy for ably stepping up to the first XV when the call for props came.

We’re Hiring!

Who are we?

Since our foundation in 1978, Hammersmith & Fulham RFC (‘the Hammers’) has grown into one of London’s largest and most successful amateur Rugby clubs. With three men’s teams competing in the RFU and Middlesex Leagues, two women’s teams, and a vibrant vets and youth section, our commitment to high-standards and with our ambition to compete at the highest possible level is matched only by our 1-club ethos, our inclusive and welcoming culture, and our renowned social scene. Blessed with a deep pool of highly talented and experienced players, we also offer Rugby to those who are new to the game.

Hammersmith & Fulham RFC is more than just a Rugby club; it’s a home, and we’re looking for a vibrant, creative, and ambitious Head Coach to be part of it.

Who are we looking for?

Following a sustained period of success including multiple promotions over several seasons and now two seasons at Level 5, we are looking for a suitably qualified and experienced men’s Head Coach to help consolidate our league position whilst also delivering on our objective of delivering success across all of our teams.

Supported by the club captain, the team captains, assistant coaches, club physios and the senior players group, you will accomplish this by providing our men’s teams with the tools to achieve success in their individual leagues. Your core duties will be:

  • Shape and implement a rugby philosophy that can be consistently applied by all men’s teams across the club in pursuit of their competitive objectives (1sts, 2nds, and 3rds).
  • Evaluate match and training session performance with the coaching team and senior players to evolve the coaching program as necessary.
  • Plan, support and direct the execution of the pre and in-season training program.
  • Oversee the development of the assistant coaching team through the provision of regular feedback and periodic performance assessments.
  • Support the club’s recruitment objectives with regards to the 1st XV and the wider player base.
  • Build and embed a process to identify and develop playing talent through the provision of regular, clear and constructive feedback to individual players from all squads.
  • Attend Tuesday and Thursday training sessions and Saturday matches.
  • Work with the club selection committee, captains and coaches in the selection of match-day teams.

A Level 3 coaching certificate (or international equivalent) and experience of coaching at Level 5 or above is required.

Where are we?

From our home base in Fulham’s Hurlingham Park, we are very close to some of London’s most vibrant and youthful suburbs and nightlife locations, are well-served by public transport and have parking facilities available. Applicants who live or work in London will find us especially convenient.

Where can I find out more about the Hammers?

For more information on what it means to be a Hammer, please visit our:

How can I apply?

If you are an energetic, ambitious coach with a love of Rugby and looking for a friendly club with an ethos of success we want to hear from you!

Please contact our Chairman Terry Alleyne, either by email (chairman@fulhamrugby.co.uk) or by phone (07505 748 379).

 

The world famous Hammers Hog Roast!

 

 

It’s the Hammersmith & Fulham RFC’s world famous hog roast this weekend! Yes, come down to and help kick off our season in style, with a bar, BBQ, mens and womens senior Rugby and good times! Supported by our partners Yellow Panda catering, gates open at 12, with first games taking the field for 1pm. Get keen!

The North Wins!

The North wins!
The grudge match to end all grudge matches, the annual North vs South Ashes cricket match! And the North made it 4-in-a-row!
After winning the toss and sending the South into bat, strong opening partnerships followed by a stiff southern tail set the North a big run chase, but it was one
that captain Ben Dugdale and his merry band was well up for, reaching the target of 183 with 3 wickets and 2 overs still remaining to see them hold onto the Ashes for another year.
Congrats to the North, commiserations to the South, and we can’t wait to do it again in next August!

Hammersween is upon us!

 

We love a fancy dress, and nothing says fancy dress more than our annual Hammerween Party!  This year’s theme? Villains!! So don your best Poison Ivy outfit, Darth Vader suit or Hannibal Lector and come on down to the Temperance at 730pm!

Hammerween is upon us!

We love a fancy dress, and nothing says fancy dress more than our annual Hammerween Party!  This year’s theme? Villains!! So don your best Poison Ivy outfit, Darth Vader suit or Hannibal Lector and come on down to the Temperance for 730pm! Prizes for the best dressed!

Old H&F player to ride 100 miles for the Injured Players Foundation

Old fart from H&FRFC to ride 100 miles for the Injured Players Foundation

Hammers’ Carl Evans will be taking part in the 100 mile Prudential RideLondon event on 4th August on behalf of the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

Players from the club have been helped directly by the Foundation and the club has been involved in raising funds for them over many years.

“I’m happy to raise money for the RFU Injured Players Foundation who do so much to help rugby players of all standards who have been injured playing the sport” says Carl. “Serious injuries are still few and far between given the number of people who play rugby but when they do happen they can be life changing for players and their families. The Foundation aims to help people in these circumstances and I have seen some of their work at first hand.”

Carl is looking for sponsorship and has set up an account with VirginGiving so its easy to donate:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarlEvans9

The Injured Players Foundation is a charity that helps and supports rugby players who have suffered a catastrophic spinal cord or traumatic brain injury which has resulted in permanent disability whilst playing rugby in England. It supports players at all levels and all ages. You can see more about their activities and research at: www.rfuipf.org.uk

If you know other people who may be interested in supporting this charity do send my email on.

Thank you for your support.

TRAINING UPDATE – WEEK COMMENCING 10th SEPTEMBER

WE’RE BACK AT HURLINGHAM!
Every Tuesday & Thursday from 7.30pm to 9.00pm on grass under floodlights.  Changing rooms & showers will be available.

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