Hammers fall short against Horsham
Our new government seems to be crumbling sooner than even the biggest cynic would have expected. Our dear leader “Free Gear Keir” may be longing for the return of the sausages, but the Hammers enjoyed their own returns this weekend, with club stalwarts Joel Caravan and Dr Steve John adorning the parallel pitch for the 2s and Jacob Poulton (3) returning to tighthead Prop for the 1s. He was joined by a number of debutants, including Yusuke Kaneko (10), Alejandro Lopez (16, prop) and Max Hyde (17, back row).
Every new government looks for some early wins. The Hammers were targeting this game to secure some valuable Level 5 points early in the season. However, much like taking £300 handouts from millionaire pensioners, this was to prove a tricky task.
Horsham struck first, far too easily, benefiting from the defensive easy shakes of a backline unfamiliar with each other – 1st phase possession off the line-out and straight through the middle. The The Hammers calmed things somewhat and Ollie Weaver slotted a penalty, before Horsham went through the middle once again to make to 10-3.
At this point, whilst attacking fluidity was rare, the Hammers were able to get themselves back into the game through some solid defence, led by 26-tackle Marcus McNeill, and a dominant scrum. At the pressure built, the Hammers accepted freebies more valuable than £16k worth of clothes and a free box at The Arsenal and gobbled up two interceptions through Harry Boyd and Sam Seymour. A further penalty meant the Hammers walked in for their oranges 18-10 up, albeit not completely deservedly.
The second half was characterised by ill-discipline. Captain Tom Proctor (5) essentially sent himself to the bin after cynically stopping a quick tap, then Harry Scarr (8) followed it up by hitting a maul at a perpendicular angle. Horsham took advantage to slot a penalty and then convert some attacking pressure to go over to leave the scores at 18-20.
The Hammers showed plenty of spirit at this point, exemplified by exceptional ‘never-give-up’ corner flagging from Josh Norton (4) to stop a certain try. Building their way back into the game, an entry into the Horsham 22 led to Sam Seymour (18, back) burrowing over. However, Horsham had the final word. The Hammers’s penalty count gave them field position and they went over from short range, albeit with a strong hint of a knock-on, in the penultimate play of the game.
At the final whistle The Hammers were all as glum as Harry Scarr is normally. They knew they let a winnable game slip and will have to pick themselves up for the next challenge. Now… when is Keir going to publish that he once accepted a free tie from Terry?
