Hammers suffer against resurgent Camberley
Heart.
It was on display in abundance for the 1st XV’s game against Camberley, a tough match against a tough opposition employing a game plan that played to their strengths, helped in no small part by Mother Nature dumping rain on the boys as they left the changing room. Thickening up the already-heavy pitch, Camberley’s direct, everything-through-the-forwards-like-its-2007 style of Rugby was made for this dark October today, their strong maul and short pitch leading to any infraction by the boys being punished with a penalty kick to the corner followed by a grinding maul. Four times this happened in the first 20 minutes, the boys vainly throwing their bodies in front of the Camberley maul like Karens at Josh AA in a Benidorm nightclub. Unlike Fulham’s one-man heart-breaker, it was in vain.
At the end of the first quarter the boys found themselves on the losing end of healthy lead, not helped by a Camberly scrum which punished a Hammers forward pack built for speed, skills and looks. Spanish bullfighting champion Alexandro Lopez (3) had his handful against his opposite man, unable to employ his flamenco “feet-of-flames” under the grey October sky Surrey clay, whilst Dan Hostler (2) and Rogan (1) were subject to more angles than a high-school protractor. Soon joined by Zak Underwood*, and backed up by Irish Josh (5) and captain Tom Proctor (4) the boys stayed in the fight until the end, but it was not an easy day to be a tight 5.
It was also not a good day to be a Camberley shoulder. Despite the pressure, the boys threw themselves into tackle-after-tackle, Marcus McNeil (13) showing a willingness to put his body on the line in a way that would serve him very well a few hours later on the Fez’s dance floor. Josh AA (6), his body ravaged by diseases caught from Karens in Benidorm nightclubs and showing the same utter disregard for his personal safety, destroyed several cocky Camberley carriers, whilst Eoin Baker (13) reminded the Camberley prop as to why he was better off playing inside their 10. And Irish Josh Norton? For the second time this season, our tall Irish man showed pure heart to chase down a Camberley line-break and tackle an supposedly “quicker” back mere meters from the line to save a try. The result? No less than 3 of Camberley’s players retiring hurt, their limping forms a reminder that no matter what the score, Hammers never, ever give up.
Buoyed by these examples of pure heart, the Hammers regained composure and began to employ their structure and hands. Multiple phases, ace calls and runs into the Camberley half saw the boys come agonizingly close, culminating with Harry Boyd (11) scoring wide. It was a reminder that this team is improving every single week, learning from the tough games against the top 5 teams in the competition, no matter what the result.
Victories as these are, wars are not won by tackles alone. Full credit to Camberley, their game management proved superior. Lost possession, especially in their half, was punished by accurate kicking and a strong kick-chase that constantly pressured the Hammers back 3 of Max (15), Harry (14) and Tim Russell (11). Effective line-out jumping by Harry Scarr (7) and Tom Proctor did not lead to the 25 meter maul-tries of previous games due to continuity problems in the Hammers maul but also effective Camberley defence, and finally, grim conditions left the Hammers ruck speed just a tad too slow at key times. The end result was a score line reminiscent of a Max Dugdale golf game and one that no one wanted to repeat.
Hammers pride was stung, for despite pride in having fought until the end and trying to play expansive Rugby, these boys play to win, and in that we fell short. Taking that pain, and shaping it into a weapon to be employed against a range of teams after the break, will not be difficult. The lessons of these last few games will make them into a force to be reakoned with. The Ws will come, and it will start on the 9th November.
*Denotes international appearances (any form of Rugby. Even not real countries)
