Destroyer Debutants shine against Kilburn
And so it came to pass, that on the 18th day, of the 11th month of the 25th year of the 21st century, Hammersmith & Fulham did something that they had not done in several years by putting out 4 sides. The Hammers had seen a massive serge in new blood and had gone from one extreme if having to tell guys they couldn’t get a game because of lack of numbers at the start of the season, to having to tell players they couldn’t get a game because we had more players than available spaces the week before. This week, the gods were on our side and we were able to get 4 full sides out.
The opposition for the Seb Money Destroyers were a Kilburn Cosmos side that much like the destroyers, were made up of new blood and both sides were eager to put in good performances. With the toss going in favour of the Hammers, Kilburn were given the task of having to play up hill in the first half, a decision that worked in favour for the 16 visitors from South West London.
The first 20 minutes of the first half saw both teams not threatening each others try line with most of the game being played between the 2 22 meter lines. It was the Hammers however that with second row Oscar Newcombe crashing over the line from close distance to get the first score. Jordan Opie missed the conversion and the score was 5-0. This was the moment that gave Hammers a kick as Hammers soon found themselves back on the attack and after some well worked moves and carries from the hammers pack, Hammers found them selves over the line with debutant Sam Coughlan crossing the line. Jordan Opie slotted the conversion to make it 12-0
Kilburn hit back soon after and a driving maul from a lineout made it 12-5 to the Hammers. With half time soon on us Hammers pushed for another score, and this they got from another debutant in the form of number 12 Jonny Francis. This was the last score of the half.
HT Hammers 17-5 Kilburn
Hammers knew that the first score of the second half could be crucial in deciding the game and it was the strong second 20 in the first half that saw us on the attack early in the second half with Jordan Oppie crossing for another try for the Hammers to make it 22-7. With Kilburn tiring from having the uphill in the first half as well as the Hammers forwards causing havoc in the scrum, holes started to appear and after a good Hammers lineout, another debutant Jules Story danced through the defence for his first try of the afternoon. Jordan converted to make it 29-7.
Soon after this, Hammers found them selves back on the attack and front row debutant Dan Ursell went over in the corner after a sublime crossfield kick from scrum half Seb Norris to make the score 34-7. Kilburn answered soon after and soon found themselves scoring their second try of the game to make it 34-10. Their try scorer left his mark on the nose of yet another debutant Karl Bartrum, the result was a broken nose for the back row as he coped a elbow to the nose trying to stop the try. The last play of the game saw the Hammers back in the Kilburn 22. A lineout lead to Jules Storey crossing over for his second and Hammers 7th try of the game. The try was converted to make the final score 41-10 to the men in red.
Man-of-the-Match went to scrum half Seb Norris for controlling the game so well at 9. The boys enjoyed the victory with some well earned beer with the opo before heading back to the comfort of SW to watch the 1s and 3s in their search for victory and the hope that Club chairman will be providing beer if all teams won, we were hopeful of this after hearing of the Bastard 2s 13 try thumping of Richmond. When we arrived we got to see the mighty 3s come out on top after a bruising game against Harringey but unfortunately, the 1s got sunk by a last minute try by Bracknell.
