Jack Fishwick 7s – Match Report
Hammersmith and Fulham 7’s squad returned to the Jack Fishwick 7’s for the second year in a row captained by James Lo. Looking to improve on our cup quarterfinal run last year, the Hammers always come out strong for what is a great day of fundraising, fun and Rugby in support of Jack Fishwick, a great bloke who suffered a terrible injury playing the game we all love.
The squad started the day very well with a convincing win in the opening group game, with a standout try from Magnus Barber running half the length of the field looking more no.14 than 7. The only ‘con’ from the opener was losing Nick Emmett to injury with a dislocated shoulder. The second group game swiftly followed and again it was another strong performance from the squad with Nick Bottino, Jack Hooper, Alex Gee running the tries in during a resurgent second half to secure the second win of the day.
After taking on board some high quality nutrition of sandwiches and cold pizza the team took on the third and final group game. Unfortunately it proved a bit too much with the team narrowly losing out and suffering a string of injuries to Jack Hooper and Magnus Barber who had to depart. The day was not over however as Hammersmith and Fulham qualified into the Cup quarters as best runner up being drawn against tournament hosts Wimbledon RFC!
In what proved to be the highlight game of the day, H&F with a very depleted squad kept the game close and physical with Xavi Bottino, James Cramp and Ultan Bruton leading the hits. Going into the last seconds of the game H&F found themselves down by 3 points, Then off the back of a line-out inside the opposition 22 the ball found its way into the hands of James Cramp who provided a Sonny bill Williams – esque offload into the hard running James who crashed over the line to secure the quarter final and ensure H&F place in the cup semifinal!
Unfortunately it didn’t turn out not to be the Hammers day as they went down to the King Fishers in the cup semifinal that followed. It proved one game too much for the heavily depleted squad that had already called in favours from fellow Hammers spectators Tom White and ‘The Great Felix Whitechapel’ to help in the quarterfinal.
A special mention has to go to Alex Gee who not only was one of the standout players of the day but also put in a mighty shift playing for 2 teams throughout the tournament. Once the rugby was over the Hammersmith and Fulham RFC squad demonstrated why we are regarded as the most social club in London and sunk many a tin!
We’ll be back Wimbledon – we’ll be back.
Full squad: Jack Hooper, James Lo, Ultan Bruton, Harry Clark, Xavi Bottino, Magnus Barber, Tom White, James Cramp, Nick Emmett, Nick Bottino, Felix Whitechappel, Shaun Curtis + many more!
