Hammers 2nd XV takes honours in their opening cup match

The first game of the season in the Cup was always going to be a tasty affair, with neither of the sides wanting to start their campaigns off with a loss. The game was to take place at Regent’s park and after the boys were pushed through a much needed warm up overseen by Rogan, and a rousing team talk from Captain Ash, the team was ready to take the field against the waiting Belsize.

Hatton started the game by kicking off on the clear and crisp afternoon, deep into the opposition’s half. The first play of the game started with yours truly being cut in half by a truck and knocking the ball on, the rest of the first half continued in the same fashion, error strewn, and very stop start. The forward pack did manage to get the upper hand over their counterparts though and started to dominate the scrum and line-out. Dugdale did manage to kick two penalties and Ash touched down the only try of the half off the back of a rolling maul.

Half-Time Score: 11-0

The second half was a far more physical and attritional affair than the first with both teams trying to gain the ascendency. With the opposition tiring, Hammers started to stretch Belsize on the fringes with Josh breaking a few tackles and scoring in the corner with Dugdale kicking the conversion. The boys kept the opposition scoreless due to the tight defence and work rate and the game ended 18-0 to the Hammers. A top performance all round from the boys and was ended perfectly with a rendition of the club favourite Country Roads in the changing rooms afterwards to celebrate the victory.

Final Score: 18-0

MoM: Alfie Clouston | DoD: Max Dugdale