Senior News Archives - Hammersmith & Fulham RFC

We’re hiring!

19th April 2024/in Senior News /by Zahael

Hammersmith & Fulham RFC is recruiting a men’s Head Coach to deliver the club’s objectives of consolidating our position at Level 5 whilst supporting the ambitions of all players across all teams.

Who are we?

Since our foundation in 1978, Hammersmith & Fulham RFC (‘the Hammers’) has grown into one of London’s largest and most successful amateur Rugby clubs. With 4 men’s teams competing in the RFU and Middlesex Leagues, two women’s teams, and a vibrant vets and youth section, our commitment to high-standards combined with our ambition to compete at the highest possible level is matched only by our 1-club ethos, our inclusive and welcoming culture, and our renowned social scene. Blessed with a deep pool of highly talented and experienced players, we also offer Rugby to those who are new to the game.

Hammersmith & Fulham RFC is more than just a Rugby club; it’s a home, and we’re looking for a vibrant, creative, and ambitious Head Coach to be part of it.

Who are we looking for?

After a sustained period of consistent success including two promotions over four seasons, we are looking for a suitably qualified and experienced men’s Head Coach to help consolidate our position at Level 5, whilst also delivering on our objective of expanding participation across all teams.

Supported by the club captain, the team captains, assistant coaches, club physios and the senior players group, you will accomplish this by providing our men’s teams with the tools to achieve success in their individual leagues and helping grow our club. Your core duties will be:

- Shape and implement a rugby philosophy that can be consistently applied by all men’s teams across the club in pursuit of their competitive objectives (1sts, 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths).
- Plan the coaching program for pre-and-in-season training to support the development of player skills at all levels of experience. The successful candidate will be expected to provide challenging, active and effective coaching sessions for the entire player base.
- Plan, support and direct the execution of the coaching program by the assistant coaches at training sessions.
- Oversee the development of the assistant coaching team through the provision of regular feedback and periodic performance assessments.
- Evaluate match performances and training sessions with the coaching team and senior players, evolving the coaching program as necessary.
- Support the club’s recruitment objectives with regards to the 1st XV and the wider player base.
- Build and embed a process to identify and develop playing talent across the club including providing regular, clear and constructive feedback to individual players from all squads on how they can improve.
- Attend Tuesday and Thursday coaching sessions and matches with the senior squads.

A Level 3 coaching certificate (or international equivalent) is required.

Where are we?

From our home base in Fulham’s Hurlingham Park, we are very close to some of London’s most vibrant and youthful suburbs and nightlife locations, are well-served by public transport and have parking facilities available. Applicants who live or work in London will find us especially convenient.

Where can I find out more about the Hammers?

For more information on what it means to be a Hammer, please visit our:

How can I apply?

If you are an energetic, ambitious coach with a love of Rugby and looking for a friendly club with an ethos of success we want to hear from you!

Please contact our Chairman Terry Alleyne, either by email (chairman@fulhamrugby.co.uk) or by phone (07505 748 379).

What a season!

19th April 2024/in Senior News /by Zahael

Whether at Hurlingham or Harringay, Hampstead or Havant, or for the Vets or Virgin games, thanks to everyone who pulled on a Hammers jersey this season, coached from the sideline, or just came down to cheer us on. You helped make Hammers London’s greatest club, filled with and surrounded by the best people.

So what now? Not only is the club is playing 7s over the summer months, but social touch at Bishop’ Park every Tuesday. Come down and get involved!

Until next season!

Come and watch the Hammers women defend Fortress Hurlingham!

5th April 2024/in Senior News /by Zahael

What better way to celebrate Hammers Rugby than watching the Hammersmith & Fulham RFC womens sides defend Fortress Hurlingham in their last games of the season?! How else but watching both sides play for keeps in huge double header on the 14th April! With a bar, BBQ and epic rugby at hand, clear those calendars, and get keen!

Hammers their own worst enemy against a hungry Horsham

5th April 2024/in Senior Match Report, Senior News /by Zahael

Hammersmith and Fulham RFC – the 1s and 2s – travelled to Horsham for their second last match of the 2023-24 season, and after enduring a brief but very intense hailstorm in one of their more unusual warm-ups they took to the field full of energy and determined to achieve their first win in since Marlborough.

The Hammers were facing a home side that, after having their relegation confirmed the previous week due to a bit result, were playing their last home match of the season. On the Hammers side, the boys were keen to put in a performance and show they had teh skills and ability of a club that deserved to play level 5.

It was a game of 2 halves, with the first being a tale of strong defence but muddled and inconsistent attack, but the 2nd showing that the boys were lethal in attack, but foiled by their old enemy – penalties, ill-discipline, and mental lapses.

Starved of ball, for the 1st 30 minutes, the Hammers bravely kept a hungry Horsham tryless. Time and again, the Horsham forwards powered towards the Hammers line, only to met by a resolute defence and an efficient set piece. Unfortunately, the lack of accuracy in attack and constant penalties for high tackles – 5 in the first half alone – revealed a Hammers team that was lacking cohesion, and getting inside their own heads. Eventually, Horsham’s constant probing paid off, probing outside the 15, and going wide off multiphase play and finding space. Twice they would exploit that overlaps and poor tackling to run in tries, before powering over under the posts for a 3rd try shortly before half time. The Hammers were yet to get on the board, and the boys were frustrated.

It took until the 50^th minute for the boys to get off the bus, when Hammers star winger Tim ‘Le Snack’ Russell hit a devastating line off a first-phase backs move and raced clear of the covering defence to score Hammer’s first try of the game, and Timmy’s 18^th of the season. Score? 22-7 on the scoreboard and – according to Timmy – a typical example of Tim “dragging his teammates from their stupor to ignite a fightback, as he has done so often this season” (spoken in 3rd person).

Hammers suffered a tough blow when the heart and soul of the side, James ‘Mad Dog’ Madigan, in one of his last matches before departing for Paris next season, absolutely butchered a 3 v 1, taking the ball into contact with the sole defender and upon realising his error decided to stay prone and feign an injury to his knee. Karma was to come for him later that evening when the bus driver decided to test his brakes whilst James was giving it the beans at the front with an unrequested stand-up routine. Rumour has it Bastards skipper Jack Watters had slipped the bus driver a tenner…

With Hammers trailing by 3 scores and chasing the game hard, mistakes ensued and Horsham were more than capable of taking advantage of these. The two sides traded blows, with who else but Timmy – matching his own club record with his 19^th score of the season – after some great passing put Marshall MacLeod and then Joe Carolan into space, before Joe fed Timmy for yet another meat pie. Tim’s 19 scores leave him joint top of the league in this regard, at the time of writing, and in such scintillating form it would be a brave man to bet against him getting a hattrick against Welsh, for the second time this season, and securing the try-scoring title.

To mark his generosity and the breadth of his skillset, after making yet another break down his wing, Tim Russell threw an audacious offload back inside to centre MacLeod, and he scampered over the line to gratefully dot down for his first try of the season before quickly slotting the conversion as time pressed on and Hammers were 20 points shy of Horsham on the scoreboard.

Ultimately, a loose first half and sloppy mistakes at crucial points throughout the match were too much of an obstacle to overcome, and Horsham deservedly finished runaway winners and 20 points to the good. A very strong performance over the ball earned their openside flanker the Man of the Match award, whilst for the Hammers with 2 tries and one assist who else could it possibly have been, but Le Snack himself. As talented as he is handsome, already the calls for him to assume the captaincy next year are becoming deafening.

Hammers move on to face London Welsh at Old Deer Park for the final match of the season in a fortnight’s time in their last game of the 2023/24 season.

Rain, hail and shine, but it’s the Hammers 2s who foil themselves…

5th April 2024/in Senior Match Report, Senior News /by Zahael

Hammersmith and Fulham travelled down by coach to Horsham RUFC for a double header and the penultimate game of the season. With security in the league cemented yet promotion out-of-reach, “The Bastard 2s” went into the game with a real buzz and optimism for some great rugby to be played, especially considering the weeks prior monumental win against top of the table Battersea Ironsides. The warmup featured all that English spring had to offer…with hail, sideways rain and sun, all condensed into 60 minutes, the players were soaked through but naturally maintained fantastic cohesiveness and spirit.

The poor weather was a distant memory at the point of the boys running out into beautiful sunshine. The first half kicked off with The Bastards receiving, a smart exit and they were away. Horsham tested The Bastards defence for the first 20 minutes with all possession in the away teams half, the effort in defence certainly hadn’t fizzled out after the week priors efforts, with Russell Wingfield & Hide Matsuki putting in hits left right and centre. With the referee’s mindset on safety, The Bastard’s conceded several penalties in their own half due to the tackles slipping up. With their nippy 10 pinning the away side in, the efforts in the lineout defence from the forwards stole enough ball to dampen the Horsham onslaught and kept us in the game at 0-0. The first quarter was out of the way, The Bastard’s were feeling motivated with their defensive shift of keeping out the boys in green and white and the grit in their teeth to stick it to their defence. A penalty was won inside Horsham’s half and Joel Mariner’s trusty left boot from hand stuck The Bastard’s 10 metres out from their try line. The ball was caught by Hide in the lineout and Thursday nights maul practice paid off as the ball was quickly transferred back to 8 Will Miller and bundled over the try line. 0-5.

The Bastard’s now had their tails up, however their discipline was still an issue with persistent penalties leading to an Ollie Peebles yellow card. The away side continued their positive rugby and holding Horsham in risk free areas of the pitch with one less player. Lineouts remained solid and the front row were holding their own against a sizeable Horsham 1-3. Half-time called.

The message from Nugget and captain Jack Watters was to keep the intensity, get more ball in hand and play in the right areas as Horsham were unable to cope.

The second half saw the intensity was certainly maintained, Tom Hanks’ tempo at the ruck kept the likes of Dan Whitaker and Jack Watters punching up the middle in Horsham’s 22, an overlap was noticed on the blindside and the ball was fizzed wide to 15 Morgan Churchill who dotted down in the corner. 0-10. Horsham were not rolling over, they stuck the ball deep in the away sides half and forced the ball to be played out with their solid work over the ball. Some beautiful hands were played on The Bastard’s 10 metre line and a half break was created with a smart offload, leaving the outside backs to dart down the wing getting caught 10 metres out, a final offload was made at pace to Jack Watters who had the legs to get over the line. Credit to Russell ‘The Horse’ Wingfield for keeping up with the backs desperate to get in on the action. 0-15.

This is where The Bastard’s became complacent, the ball was returned scrappily off kick off to the boys in red, leading to an eventual knock on and the size of Horsham’s pack were getting the upper hand in the scrum. Good exits were made and The Bastard’s found themselves on the halfway with a linout, a few phases were played and a gap was spotted by 10 Joel Mariner who passed inside to Seb Rivett who lined up the two on one and passed back inside to Joel, who ran into space and passed to Jack Watters finding himself on the wing, just getting scragged 5 metres out, the ball was recycled and passed short to Seb Rivett again who was just held up over the line. Bonus point try denied and salt in the wound to come. Upon the ref calling “held up” one of the Horsham backs went quickly and drop kick the ball 5 metres to themself, very good hands meant they were away galloping deep into The Hammer’s half and scoring in the corner. 5-15. A real knife twist after the bonus point try denial.

The Bastard’s didn’t panic, they returned the ball from kick off to Horsham who played smart rugby and worked their way into the away sides half as the defensive shift continued however at a fatigued rate with small halfbreaks and slipping up tackles being made eventually leading to the home side scoring again. Conversion was scored. 12-15.

The offensive rugby from Horsham continued and The Bastard’s grip on the game was slipping due to lack of possession and momentum, Horsham used their big substitutes well and their new energy punched further holes in The Hammer’s defence, a yellow card was given for repeated infringements and the away side found themselves with 14 men again. Horsham capitalised on this and the tired bodies, scoring again. 17-15.

The Bastard’s failed to find their extra gear, reminiscent of Eastenders Ian Beale’s weeps of “I’ve got nothing left”. Horsham dug deep and used their subs well to find weak shoulders leading to smart passing and finding the space on the wing where their evasive winger stepped though the defence 15 metres out and hammered the final nail in the coffin under the posts with a successful conversion.

Final score 24-15 to Horsham.

Credit to Horsham who showed real determination to stick in the game and play some fantastic rugby. Hopefully this reports shows the real positives of rugby as the game ebbed and flowed. Sadly The Bastards didn’t have enough in the tank and discipline cost them. Eyes move onto Tour and the final game of the season away to Sutton on 6th April.

Hammers Legends play in the English and Irish Legends game!

11th March 2024/in Events, Senior News /by Zahael

Each year, the night before the England vs Ireland 6 nations clash, English and Irish Rugby stars of yesteryear take to the field to raise money for those who have suffered life-changing injuries playing our wonderful game. Now in its 14th year, the Rugby legends match has raised over £1.4 million pounds for charities like the RFU and IRFU’s injured players foundations.

Hammersmith & Fulham RFC are a huge supporter of this event and this cause, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds in memory of our clubmate Stuart Mangan, who passed away in 2009 as result of injuries sustained during a match the year before. In recognition of these efforts, two Hammers players are invited to take to the field for each side whenever the fixture is played in England.

This year, Ed Clark and Rogan were honoured to pull on the boots, roared on by a healthy Hammers contingent. Great work to all, and we’ll see you when the fixture next returns!

Hammers almost cause an upset

9th February 2024/in Senior Match Report, Senior News /by Zahael

Hammer’s 1st team hosted top of the league Havant at Hurlingham Park, in what promised to be a thrilling encounter. Havant came looking to cement their place at the top of the league, whilst Hammers were focused on regathering form and righting-some-wrongs following their previous encounter against the south coast team. With The Temperance hosting the Fulham FA cup fans, up stepped the 8 Bells, who provided side-line beer for the match day, lifting the voices of the travelling fans and Hammers faithful.

With baited breath, the crowd watched as the ref blew for the start of the match. With a sloppy restart and compounding errors, Hammers found themselves 10 metres from their own line, only to find themselves in familiar territory – penalty to Havant. The hosts gladly took the 3 points. Sustained pressure from Havant and another grevious error resulted in a penalty kick to the Hammers corner, from which Havent started a driving maul. Hammers resident bad boy Barry ‘The Bruiser’ Scarr, was not best pleased with the Havant endeavour, and forced the issue. The result? A penalty try, and some cheese for his efforts. 10 minutes in the bin for the back row player, 10-0 down, not the start Hammers were after.

The Hammers faithful fans began to question – would this be the same performance as the previous week?

Fear not. A strong response from the Hammers as they looked to breakdown the Havant defence, a strong driving maul and hard lines putting pressure on the travelling team. More pressure, and then…Hammers cross the line. First team captain Tom Proctor, with a trademark pick through the middle of a ruck!!! He glided in untouched, reassuring the fans there is still life in the old man. Conversion successful, 10-7 to Havant. Following the try, Hammersmith are awarded a series of penalties, and once again returned to the Havant 22’. The Havant defence stood strong this time and kept out the home team.

Hammers were marshalled around the park with a quality kicking performance from Ross at 10, keeping the travelling team pinned back in their half. Havant eventually broke out of their 22 thanks to a quality kick chase, only to be stopped thanks to some solid midfield tackling from both James the “Maddog” and Marshall, keeping Havant at bay.

Unfortunately it would be Havant that would add next to the score sheet, a series of penalties resulted in Havant re-entering the Hammers 22’, and utilising their driving maul once more. Although brought to a stop, the large Havant pack deferred to their pick-and-go game, resulting in crossing the try line again. Conversion successful, Havant 17- Hammers 7.

A sequence of kicks back and forth brought in the games next stanza, with both teams looking to play territory. Strong carries from both teams, combined with a solid defence, resulted in lasting deadlock.

But then…Hammersmith, with a driving kick deep into the Havant 22. The strong running Havant back three opted to run it out targettign the right wing. A good kick chase saw Hammers in high numbers defensively, but from no where….Barry Scarr, picking out an intercept and strolled in 30 metres out, making amends for his heinous behaviour earlier! Conversion unsuccessful, Havant 17- Hammersmith- 12.

Constant pressure and flowing rugby pinned the Havant team back in their own 22. High tackle on debutant scrum half Sam Seymour, resulted in the second cheese of the day being awarded to a Havant player. Half time called, both teams returned to the sheds, Hammers in full confidence they could cause an upset.

Both sets of fans welcomed back the teams in full voice. The second half saw both come out with renewed vigour, knowing that the slightest lapse in concentration could cost them dearly.

For 15 minutes neither team could add to their tally, strong driving mauls and line breaks from either side getting close but no cigar. It would be Havant that would add to the scoresheet next, following a big line break, shipping the ball wide to score in the corner, conversion successful. Havant 24- Hammers 12.

Rallying chants of ‘Hammers, Hammers’ from the sideline drove the Hammers forward. Pressure in the Havant 22’ eventually broke down the travelling team, with a carry to the line from fly half Ross, who lifted the ball into the smallest of spaces for in form full back Pete Morris to glide into, and around the winger. With a Shearer—esque celebration added for good measure, it was the lift the Gammers needed! Havant 24- Hammers 17.

What happened next will be written into folklore. An open-field move saw the elusive Pete Morris receive an inside ball from Ross, giving him space to glide from within the Hammers half all the way up to the Havant 22. Dancing feet and a switch pass to the supporting player and fan favourite Matt Killeen allowed him to glide over in the far corner after stepping the Havant full back! It was like something out of Swan Lake, a move straight off the training park. Head Coach Mark Jackson could be heard to utter the words ‘I a ****ing genius’. Conversion successful, 24 a-piece, what a game on at Fortress Hurlingham.

Havant didn’t lie down. Through sustained pressure, they made their way into the Hammers 22’ and, with a penalty awarded in front of the post, opted for the 3 points. Havant retook the lead as we entered the final 5 minutes.

Unfortunately it would not be Hammers day. A well-worked penalty kick to the corner for Havant and an ever present strong driving maul saw the travelling team cross the whitewash again in negative time, confirm their win for the day. Full time Havant 34- Hammers 24.

It was not to be for the home team , although they will take their renewed energy and performance down to Kent the following week, as they look to disrupt Tunbridge Wells.

Congratulations go to debutants Sam Seymour and Jack Macgregor, as well as returning prop Ed Wynne. Hammersmith wish the best to Havant as they look to solidify their position at the top of the table.

Hammers dig deep and hang on

16th January 2024/in Senior Match Report, Senior News /by Zahael

Hammers 1^st team continued on the road this week with a ‘short’ commute out to Marlborough, for the clubs 2^nd fixture of 2024. The commute of course, included the traditional away bus quiz, in which Head Coach Mark, Lewis Litt (Big Josh) and Mad dog Maddigan took the win with a questionable 39/50 questions correct. The winning teams’ debateable proximity to the Quiz Master, Stephen Harris caused an outrage. It almost brought the tradition into disrepute and risked dividing the team before a minute of rugby had been played.

This weeks’ fixture was the second time the 1^st team had faced Marlborough RFC this season – some may remember (or have tried to forget) witnessing the Hammers drop in the final minutes and in typical Hammers fashion… losing at Home by less than a try. For the Hammers, it was an important game – going into the day, the Hammers remained steady on the ladder in 8^th place with 29 points, Brighton sitting above at 7^th with 35 points, and Maidenhead trailing closely behind on 21 points.

The day was clear, the air a brisk but thankfully dry 1-2 degrees. The Hammers lost the toss, forced to kick-off but running downhill. Frustratingly, and is their way, they decided to also set themselves up for an up-hill battle, the opening kick-off going 10 meters backwards not forwards. “Never send a back to do a forwards job” could be heard from front row veteran and club stalwart, Rogan, celebrating his 38^th lap around the sun that week.

The first 20 minutes saw each team come away with a penalty goal, with VC Joe Carolan, (now 2^nd highest points scorer in the division (114)) knocking 3 points through the posts. Marlborough followed up quickly with an unconverted try, to which the Hammers quickly responded, with Tim Russel scoring not once but twice, one under the post and one of the back of a driving mall. With both converted again by Joe, the boys started to feel comfortable.

It was not to be like that for long. Marlborough, known for their size and physicality, began to play to their strengths, putting several of the lads through their paces and testing shoulders and ribs. There was a notable late hit on James Maddigan, which could be heard from the sideline, however, the Hammers also contributed their fair share of questionable hits, with back row enforcer, Harry “Sid” Scarr sent to the bin in the final minutes of the 1^st half with a yellow card. This yellow could easily have been a red as, from some angles, Sid almost decapitated the opposition winger, but the Hammers managed to fight out the rest of the 1^st half without conceding another point (while being a player down). First half score 8 -20

What followed was a second half battle between the Hammers running rugby and Marlborough’s size and physicality. One more try from the Hammers, scored and converted by Joe. Not long after this, one arsey kick led to a late try in the 2^nd half for Marlborough, shifting the momentum into the hands of the home side. Hammers still had a marginal lead, which sensed a repeat of their first encounter with the home side and proceeded to lift accordingly. Our line was assailed, our sideline groaned – another late game loss was on the cards…

Que the bomb squad – the notorious and welcome return of Matt Killeen and Ricky Drewitt, who joined the game after both had a short stint away from the club. Putting out one of their better defensive sets of the season, and despite Marlborough scoring another (almost identical try) in the corner and almost levelling the score to 27-30. we managed to hold out and eventually see out the final whistle for the win.

Final score 27-30 to the Hammers. Elation. Joy. And Hammers ending the day with 33 points on the ladder.

Special mentions go to the Man of the Match – Alex Spicer who also celebrated his 50^th Cap for the Hammers 1^st team.

Hammers go down in a heartbreaker

15th January 2024/in Senior Match Report, Senior News /by Zahael

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Hammers gave to me…

not as much as you wanted, but you’ve already had 11 days’ worth of gifts. You’ll just have to be content with the one point.

In a scene reminiscent of the three Magi journeying across the arid Arabian Deserts, from a land far-far away to bring gifts and offer service, so our very own wise man no. 1 from the far side of Offa’s Dyke brought gifts of pitchfork and sand to lay upon the hallowed turf of Hurlingham Park making possible a true Christmas miracle…a playable surface.

Shortly after KO, in addition to Wise Man Lyndon’s efforts, the pitch was dried further following an earth-scorching turn of pace by Harry Boyd who, with a 5m so rapid that the Space – Spicer* continuum was for a split second broken, ghosted through the entire Bracknell defensive line.

On the face of it, Father Christmas and “Eeny-Weeny” Josh share little in common. But they do both always deliver on Christmas. Josh, like Lyndon, stuck to the script of Epiphany. Bearing gifts and travelling from the far-far outer zones of London our second Wise Man delivered a try (must note the well-executed rolling maul, of course) and another man of the match performance.

15 minutes into the match, and suddenly reminded that they were dressed in their usual festive crimson, Russell’s Reds decided it was high time to play the part of St Nick and gift their opposition the entire 12 days of Christmas during the remainder of the first half. Sing everyone’s favourite Carol replacing each gift with a different form of infringement and that will give you an idea of the level of commitment Terry’s troops showed to the season of giving. Feeling inspired by this show of generosity, the referee offered out his finest Christmas Cheese, which was eagerly accepted by Tiny Tim, Diminutive Dugdale.

The one player responding well to the non-stop on-pitch whistling was our inside centre. Like a dog returning to its vomit, so our very own James “Le Mad-Dog”, returned to the ankles of Bracknell attackers time and time again. Despite being faced with “such a good boi”, Bracknell held onto the ball well and scored three times from close range to bring the game within 2 points.

The scores really should have been tied up at this point, given the conversion was being taken from directly between the posts, but Alex “Dollar” Spicer produced his best defensive end impression to block the resulting kick. His celebration was certainly EPSN NFL Primetime worthy also.

Re-energized, Burbridge’s blokes marched themselves up-field, bought a few (cheap) penalties in the sales and found themselves 10m out from the try-line on the final play of the half. A well-executed line-out play had Captain Tom rolling over the tryline for a third try of the- oh no…the spirit of the season was still well and truly alive among Carolan’s Crew, who decided to put the needs of the opposition above their own, not score, and keep the game in the balance at half time…

The resident hairdresser was ready to meet Harris’ Hombres in the sheds, and Procter’s Players returned for the second half looking well coiffured and determined to give gifts only to those deserving (the watching Hammers Faithful) in the second half.

Despite the wand of the Prodigal Weaver once again beginning to weave, and tyreless carries from Pirelli and Scotty, Swaino’s soldiers struggled to convert th’air-pressure into points. To Bracknell’s credit, their defence did a very good impersonation of Ebeneezer Scrooge (before he encountered any Ghosts) and well and truly shut the door on any final festive cheer in SW4. The visitors scored twice more, although new kicking boots had evidently not made the final Christmas delivery slot, before a late Joe Carolan penalty ensured a losing bonus point.

But while Christmastide is now over, January is just getting started. And that means the transfer window is open for business. Fear not Hammers Faithful, for Management has been busy, consulting the heavens for signs of a try-scoring saviour. And behold, Southwest Tier 8’s top scoring centre has been signed on a season-long deal to bring gifts of soft hands and an immaculately clean kit. Journeying from afar, now fatherly and wise, with a 3 on his back, welcome back Rickie!

And so, our three wise men returned to their lands far away, contemplating whether their respective gifts: the pitchforking, the 5m tap and charge, the new contract negotiations, had been worth it.

The answer, of course, is yes.

Because January, as the month of Janus, offers a chance to look back at how far we have come, and then to turn to the future in eager anticipation of successes and adventures to come…

*Space -Spicer continuum

Space – Spicer = Space – Money

Money = time

∴ Space-Spicer continuum = Space-time continuum

Full time score: Hammers 20 – 25 Bracknell

Tries

Harry Boyd

Josh Asafu-Adjaye

Penalties: Joe Carolan x2

Hammersmith soaked up the pressure to hang on for the win!

15th January 2024/in Senior Match Report, Senior News /by Zahael

Game off was trending on X, formerly known as Twitter, but it was very much game on at Hurlingham Park as Hammersmith & Fulham welcomed Horsham. Both clubs in their first season in Regional 1 South Central, formerly known as National 3, and the Hammers were looking to avenge the result from the last time the two sides met in the league.You’d be excused for thinking that the home side had stayed in the warmth of the changing rooms as they failed to turn up at kick off, with Horsham scoring an early try from a driving maul.Hammers metaphorically warmed up and challenged the resulting kick off well with the two ‘arry’s, Barry Scarr and Garry Boyd, making life difficult for Horsham and winning the ball back. With momentum building, Hammersmith began building phases with the ball eventually going wide to Tim Russell. Russell smoothly got the offload away to Zander Stephen who was back in the team following a duo of self inflicted concussions to the duo of Josh’s in the last fixture against Camberley – Josh Smith on the receiving end of a people’s elbow from Scarr and Josh A-A being kneed in the head by Alex Spicer, an easy thing to do to such a small man. Anyway, you’re here to read about the Horsham game. Stephen smoothly gathered the ball from Russell, romping in from just outside the 22, evading multiple tackles and successfully holding off 3 defenders as he powered over. Others who saw this try say he was a matter of centimetres out, juggled the ball before eventually gathering and just got it down but there’s no Veo to prove the first wrong so we’ll go with that. Joe Caravan was on conversions for the day, securing 3 of the 5. This try was out-wide so every chance it was 1 of the 2 misses.Another reclaimed kick off from Hammersmith, attempting to rewrite the wrongs of Camberley, saw momentum build. A penalty win lead to a kick going deep in the Horsham 22 and Scott VBL getting the ball in his hands, a successful jumpy jumpy throw catch to Scarr produced a secure maul with VBL, man-of-the-match-to-be Toby Hiram and the skipper chunky Tom Proctor jostling for the ball at the back. Proctor pulled rank and got the meat pie.A 3rd secured kick off in a row, a new club record, saw another attack from SW6s finest. Play built down the left, down the right, back to the left before returning to the right. Russell, who had taken a week off from his velvet footwear, remembered he had pace and took off down the wing. This time he didn’t need an offload to Stephen and got a try of his own, number 50 in the red, white and blue of Hammersmith and Fulham RFC – a fine achievement from the former Havant youth.Another kick off to receive, this time Spicer took charge. The Gilbert of the day was in his hands but the end result wasn’t the same. Whilst ball had been won in the air, the backs messed up their kicky kicky catch catch, a surprise given the amount of time spent on such exercises in training. A charged down kick saw Horsham react first and narrow the scores.24-12 half-time.As expected, Horsham came out firing second half, determined to narrow the deficit. Hammersmith soaked up the pressure with some staunch defending. Eventually they got their break with some Barbarians-esque passing, Caravan finding Scarr with a little out the back offload. Scarr scuttled down the field with a 3 on 1 with the fullback, an easy try I hear you say. No. In what can only be described as a moment of madness, the former Bucks u16 regional back row come Sid look alike thought he was South West Londons answer to Sonny Bill Williams – spoiler here sports fans, he isn’t. Ball was flicked out the back of his hands to Spicer’s feet. Knock-on. Idiot. Stephen substituted at the resulting scrum, his day was up and so is the rest of the detail.Horsham found their way back in to the Hammersmith 22 with Hammers eventually turning over the ball. What should have been an easy exit saw Dugdale pass to Ross Anderson, we hoped. Dugdale was looking to join in the fun of handing out friendly fire concussions with the ball rocketing off Ed Haynes head. Horsham continued to build pressure narrowing the gap with their 3rd try.A different side after half-time and Stephen’s substitution, Hammers couldn’t find the rhythm of the first half. The sidelines were calling for composure or something special to calm the boys, or both. A breakaway saw momentum build with Caravan dotting down. This conversion was from in front of the posts, 7 points.With the game nearing its conclusion Horsham pressed hard with a determination to get something from the game. Eventually finding themselves over the white line with 5 minutes to go. Conversion slotted, meaning they were taking 2 bonus points back down the M23.31-24 the final score. A hard fought victory in near freezing conditions. Another 5 points at home and Hammersmith and Fulham find themselves at 7th at the half way point of the season.MOTM – Toby HiramDOTD – Barry Scarr