Hammers 3rd XV turn it on at Chiswick!

Match Report: Hammers III v Chiswick II
Saturday 15th October saw a Hammersmith and Fulham 3rd XV handily beat a well drilled Chiswick 2nd XV. Hammers took the game by the horns when after a well recovered kick off in the opposition 22 and good phase play from the forwards, Jack Hooper was put over in the corner off the first play of the game. The game, however, didn’t keep up this break neck speed; as the opening quarter turned into an attritional, physical match, with big carries and hard tackling from both teams.

The gridlock was finally sliced open by a dancing Jake Cheetham, running from fly-half, and dotting under the posts from a scrum inside Hammer’s own half. The score would open the door for both teams attacking play, with Chiswick scoring either side, of Hammer’s MOTM Zack Underwood scoring his first. 19-14 after 30 minutes.

More purists rugby would ensue, with Hammers turning the screw in the tight five and dominating the scrum. The penalties and territory turned to points, with Adam Howell converting after a scrum was pushed over from 5m out. Hammers went into the break, up 26-14. The second half didn’t take long to get going for Hammersmith, with Huw Parks capping off a stellar kick performance (5/7 conversions) by taking a hard-line carry over for a try, untouched on his way to the promised land. Zack Underwood would convert again for Hammers, diving over from a foot out, off the base of a ruck.

Despite pulling one back, frustration started to show for Chiswick, who were unable to handle physicality shown be the Hammers front row, and replacements. After turning the ball over in Hammer’s territory, Joue ensued, with the Hammersmith backs toying with the hapless Chiswick chasing defenders, to put Jack Hooper over for his brace. Late in the game, a controversial referring decision would earn Harrison Moy his DOTD denotation; after running 85m to score off a turnover despite the referee calling a knock on.

A 45-21 full-time result for Hammers was a well deserved, with some excellent goal line defense capping off the second half. Credit to James ‘Mad-Dog’ Maddigan for excellent defensive effort
throughout as well as Dan Whitaker limiting the Chiswick offensive capabilities, with a great display from 7.

MOTM: Zak Underwood
DOTD: Harrison Moy