Close loss for the 3s against local rivals Belsize

A bleak and dreary day in a bleak and dreary place (Tottenham.) Coming off of positive previous performances, the Hammers 3’s were not letting the weather dampen any optimism going into their game against Haringey Rhinos. A strong team, solid warm-up and the rare sight of a full bench was a good omen for things to come.

The game kicked off and the Hammers immediately drew first blood. Sam Nursey with one of his trademark scything runs through the oppo and touching it down in the corner. Conversion missed, 5-0.

Almost before the team had time to regroup, Nursey was doing his thing again. The Rhinos 15 made a last-ditch tackle to bring him down on the 5 but a pop off the deck to Rob Hulmes and the Hammers were in again. This time it was slightly easier for fly-half Tom Kell. Conversion good. 12-0.

Although the first 10 minutes was rough for the Haringey team, they stuck in and didn’t make it easy for the Hammers. But nothing was stopping Sam Nursey on this fine February morning. A quick step and he was breaking through the defence again, touching the ball down behind the Haringey line.

Was Sam going to get a hat-trick within the first 20 mins and make captain Rob buy his drinks for the evening?

Nope, he wasn’t. In fact, he rudely got himself concussed about 5 minutes later and the Hammers biggest danger in the open field was now out for the rest of the game (but hopefully not the foreseeable future!)

Clearly smelling blood in the water, the Haringey team quickly capitalised. A missed tackle in midfield, a chip n chase and their 12 was under the posts. 17-7.

The Hammers rallied, with big shots and turnovers in midfield from Harry Phillipson, Oscar Newcombe and Russell Pissfield meant that the Hammers successfully held the Rhinos out for most of the half. However, after phases of D on their line, Haringey eventually broke through. 17-14 at half.

The excitement quickly subsided in the second half. Failure from both teams to string phases together (as well as some “technical” refereeing) meant that the second half was certainly one for the purists.

Following a yellow for the opposition for backchat and some time spent on their 5 metre line, Lucas Sopher (clearly learning from the Seb Money school of line breaks) cut a line and dotted the ball down over the try line. 22-14.

The game was not yet over, a grubber through the D by Kell led to fullback Angus Blomfield touching the ball down…but no try given. Letting his frustration get the better of him, Kioko Searle-Mbullu questioned how the referee could make that call from where he was. Immediate yellow and DOTD. And 5 minutes later, Haringey were over in the corner. 22-19.

The game tapered off in the last 10-15 minutes. Constant whistles frustrating both teams leading to a suplex from the Haringey hooker on fly half Kell that Triple H would be impressed by. A little bit of pushy pushy and some fighting words caused the referee to make clear that anything more would be a straight red.

Nothing came of this, and the Hammers held out to the final whistle. Full time score, 22-19 and a worthy MOTM for Russell Pissfield and DOTD for Kioko Searle-Mbullu.