Hammers 1s v Enfield Ignatians

Hammersmith and Fulham travelled to North London on 3rd of February with an 11 year losing streak for Enfield against Hammers on their side but with H&F below Enfield in the table. 

Mark Blyghton, captain, had said throughout the weeks training that this was a must win match and Hammersmith & Fulham were fighting their way out of a hole.  

Well, Hammers came out swinging for their season.  

Uncharacteristic of the year H&F were the first on the score board. H&F defence causing a loose ball, allowing James Lo to run over the whitewash and Hamish Dalgarno to convert.  

Characteristically Hammers punished themselves by giving away penalties, and Enfield gladly converted a penalty in front of the posts.  

After some thumping tackles, H&F caused the ball to be turned over and Tom Parkinson to roll back the years. Brushing off tackles, as if they were minis on Sunday, he dived over the line – conversion missed.  

This purple period in the middle of the first half was paying dividends for Hammers. Enfield could not live with the physicality of the ‘smaller’ pack. With a wet ball and aggressive defence came the mistakes. James Lo quite happily collected a dropped ball and no one was catching the wing. Converted by Dalgarno.  

The second half did not have the same x factor as the first but required Hammers to put Enfield to the sword.  

With Enfield now in Mark Blyghtons metaphorical ‘hole’, they had to fight from the ropes.  

They were camped firmly in Hammers 22 but the defence held out, with a knock on from a ferocious hit from 2 of Hammers back row.   

This saw the momentum swing back to H&F. Back up in Enfield 22, Hammers were clinical with their next try. Winning a scrum against the head, the ball went through the hands of Tom Assal, Tim Murray, Charlie Precious, Dave Bloxsam and finally to Keith Rogers who superbly finished in the corner.  

Enfield did come back with one try but Hammers had the bonus point win at the 60th minute mark.  

A good win all round, allowing hammers out of the relegation spots. 

A team finally coming together.  

Final Score: Hammersmith and Fulham 24 – Enfield Ignatians 8