Hammers dominate to score a historic victory!

In a remarkable display of grit, determination, and clinical execution, Hammersmith & Fulham pulled off a stunning victory over Camberley, getting their first W in 5 years against a team that only months before had put 72 points on the boys. The result, achieved on a bright February afternoon at Hurlingham Park, has instantly become one of the club’s most memorable days of the season so far. 

How did it start? Like most games, with a kick off. And with both sides eager to make an early statement.

Camberley, the favourites, struck first after earning a lineout deep in Hammersmith & Fulham territory after a strong passage of play. The visitors executed their typical powerful driving maul to surge over the try line to give Camberley a 7-0 lead. 

For Hammersmith & Fulham, flash backs of their painful 72-5 defeat away to Camberley earlier in the season started to resurface, but the underdogs weren’t about to let history repeat itself.  

Hammersmith & Fulham quickly regained their composure. A strong contestible kick-off put Camberly under immediate pressure, with one of their big carriers penalised for holding on. Fly-half Marshall MacDonald responded with a brilliant quick tap-and-go, catching the Camberley defence off guard and darting over the line to score. This brought the score to 7-7, but importantly, set the tone for the wars to come.   

This was a different team.

With a different mindset.

Determined to create a different result.

The boys seized the momentum. From the restart, they executed two attacking kicks that pressured Camberley and drove them deep into their own half. Camberley soon then conceded another penalty, allowing hammers to go for goal. Joe Carolan calmly slotted a penalty from 40 meters out, to take the lead. 10-7.

The home side’s defence then came under fire as Camberley mounted several attacking phases, testing Hammersmith & Fulham’s resolve. However, the hosts held firm. In a moment of brilliance, Carolan ripped the ball away from a Camberley forward – his first of three that day, not bad for a “wintered” 10 – and, after a quick clearance kick, the boys were back applying pressure in Camberley’s half. 

The crowd was then treated to an electrifying moment when the tiniest player on the field, Josh AA, grabbed a step ladder, and charged down a box kick from the Camberley scrum-half, pinning the visitors further back in their own half. With Camberley on the back foot, Hammersmith & Fulham took advantage of another penalty and kicked to the corner. The Hammer forwards a.k.a The Steam Pigs executed a perfect driving maul off the lineout, Ed Wynne crashing over the line to score. Carolan’s conversion stretched the lead. 17-7.

Camberley responded with a well-worked try of their own. After several phases of solid defence from Hammersmith & Fulham, the visitors earned a scrum 5m out from the Hammers line. The visitors applied their a dominant scrum, allowing them to pick-and-go from the base and score over the try line.  

With the score now at 17-12, Camberley chose to return the restart via a long box kick just short of the Hammers 22.  Pressure resulted, Camberley with their tails up, and Hammers were pinned in an awkward spot. Would this be the point where Hammers surrendered their lead?

Nay.

From nowhere, Sam Seymour** denoted a stunning 50:22 kick which put them inside the Camberley 22. It would prove a vital step in the path to victory, relieving pressure, and setting the Hammers up for a backs attack off the Steam Pigs powerful maul to the lineout’s tail. Hands – from Sam, to Marshall, to Joe…to a Dugdale who spots a gap in the Camberley defence and makes a brilliant break to score! Carolan’s conversion..its over! Hammersmith & Fulham a 24-12 lead going into the break. 

The half-time break – the boys are elated with the score, but they’ve been here before.  Not just against Camberley – 12 months before they had been winning at half-time – but the week before even, squandering their half-time lead against Wimbledon through 10 minutes of second-half madness. Would this be a repeat?

Nay.

Before Camberley were finished eating their half time oranges, the Hammers flew out of the blocks and executed a well-worked backs move off a scrum. Mackerel McDoogle fed a “flat” pass to Miles O’Connor who crossed the white line to put the Hammers on the score board in the first 3 minutes. This extended the lead to 31-12. What would the next 3 minutes bring? 

Not much. The game entered a stalemate with both teams showing strong defence and attack, but neither side was broke through, the Hammers defending their territory ably but without the ball, while Camberley struggled to fight their way out of their own half.  

Something had to change…and so it did when on came Hammer’s exciting new signing, Kenneth Rogan, debut. Kenneth was a game-changer for Hammersmith, making an immediate impact with his pace, agility, and smart decision-making. Off the field, his charm is just as magnetic. Women love his confidence, and his bants, while men admire his athleticism and cool demeanor. He is a great new addition to the club.  Cool car, cool bikes, cool kids, Cool bloke. We’re lucky to have him. 

Just being on the field saw Kenneth make an impact, with Hammersmith awarded a penalty just outside of Camberley’s 22 for Kenneth being so good looking. The skipper Tom Proctor opted to take the 3 points despite many squeaky grumbles from his very small teammate Josh AA, who wanted to kick for the corner. Joe Carolan secured the 3 points which put the hammers 3 converted tries ahead. The boys could sense that something great was happening here. 

So could Camberley.  Entering Q4 of the match, Camberley’s discipline began to let them down with many penalties going in the home side’s favour, including a yellow card for dissent, allowing Hammers to gain field position in their opponents 22.

After several tight carries by the forwards, Molly McFadden sent a long loopy pass over the heads of the Camberley backline to put one of their Dugdales in for their 2nd try.  

With the game effectively won, Hammersmith & Fulham switched off momentarily, allowing Camberley a final opportunity to score. The visitors mounted one last attack, making their way over the Hammersmith & Fulham try line. Fair credit to Camberley, they were chasing the bonus point and making a good go of it.

The game restarts and poor discipline puts Camberley back in the Hammers 22 as they hunt for a try. However, in the dying minutes, Joe Carolan produced another moment of brilliance, ripping the ball from a Camberley player and feeding it to either Max or Ben Dugdale. One of them sprints the full length of the field, diving under the posts for his/their third try of the match and providing the icing on the cake of an outstanding 80-minute performance by the home side. 

It was a a historic victory. The final whistle blew, and the Hammersmith & Fulham players embraced, knowing they had achieved something truly special. This comprehensive 46-17 victory over Camberley, a team that had earlier humiliated them in a 72-5 defeat, was a testament to their resilience and determination. Such a victory was a statement of intent, keeping their hopes alive of staying at level 5 and moving them 6 points clear of the relegation zone. As for Camberley, they will need to regroup and come back stronger after this humbling defeat, and we look forward to seeing them again next season.  

Full Time: Hammersmith & Fulham 46 – 17 Camberley 

Man of the Match 

Jo Carolan  

Special Mentions  

Probably Max Dugdale – Hattrick  

Kenneth – 1st XV debut