Hammers 2s escape a scare on Hammerween

31st October, and Hurlingham Park was buzzing with anticipation and excitement. Whether that was down to the prospect of four home games or the annual Hammerween festivities is anyone’s guess. Either way, there was rugby to be played and, more importantly, points to be won.

Hammersmith kicked off, keen to get off to a strong start. The opening exchanges saw some excellent defensive work deep in the Finsbury Park 22, eventually earning Hammers a midfield penalty. Unfortunately, the lineout that followed had other ideas, with Hammers failing to secure their own ball. A theme that, rather unfortunately, would make several repeat appearances throughout the first half.

What followed was a fairly entertaining game of kick tennis, providing the forwards with some lovely opportunities to stretch their legs. The rally eventually ended with Hammers finding themselves with a lineout in their own 22, which, in keeping with the afternoon’s theme, promptly went the way of Finsbury Park. Some strong defensive work from the home side eventually earned a penalty and allowed everyone to breathe again.

Not to be outdone, Hammers then managed to lose another lineout, leaving themselves defending in their own half once more. After some fairly direct attacking from Finsbury, the visitors kicked into the corner. Thankfully, Hammers managed to win this one and, after a bit of the usual rugby chaos, came away with a penalty.

After 16 minutes of resolute and physical defence, the first points of the afternoon finally arrived. Unfortunately, they went to the visitors. Despite some big hits and committed defensive pressure, a couple of well-timed offloads saw Finsbury Park cross under the posts.

0-7

Hammers responded with a strong scrum on the Finsbury Park five-metre line. A big carry from Harvey at the back of the scrum saw Hammers finally get themselves on the scoreboard, with Digby comfortably adding the extras. A much-needed reward for the home side.

7-7

Finsbury Park weren’t hanging about, however. A rolling maul from a lineout on Hammers’ five-metre line began marching towards the try line. Despite what felt like the entire Hammers pack piling in to stop it, the visitors had other ideas and slowly but surely dragged themselves over the line. Conversion missed.

7-12

Half time

Whatever was said at half-time clearly did the trick, as Hammers came out looking like a rather different side.

The second half couldn’t have got off to a better start, with the backs beginning to click and some genuinely lovely rugby being played. Hammers started dragging Finsbury from coast to coast, moving the ball quickly and playing with real intent. The pressure eventually paid off, with Nursery crashing over in the left-hand corner. Digby added the extras.

14-12

For the first time in the game, Hammers had their noses in front. And they weren’t particularly keen on giving that feeling up.

Five minutes later, following a thunderous midfield tackle, the ball seemed to pop rather conveniently into Rhys‘ hands. He spotted Digby, who took the pass and cruised under the posts. Digby duly added the extras, taking all seven points for himself. A productive afternoon’s work.

21-12
The next period saw some more promising rugby from Hammers, with the ball moving nicely and confidence growing. Sadly, all that good work didn’t quite translate into points, and Finsbury Park found their way back into the game with a try of their own.

21-19

Hammers weren’t about to let the visitors spoil the afternoon just yet. Taking the game by the scruff of its neck, the home side once again played some expansive rugby. A quick cross-field kick, followed by some sharp attacking play, eventually saw Harry Tate touch down in the corner.

And, in keeping with the afternoon’s theme, Digby slotted the extras.

28-19

Finsbury Park weren’t quite finished, though. With the clock ticking down, they launched one final assault and, in the dying moments of the game, managed to rumble over from a rolling maul off a lineout.
Conversion successful.

28-24

Full time, and a hard-fought and thoroughly entertaining win for Hammers 2s. Having gone in behind at half-time, the boys showed real character to turn things around, play some excellent rugby in the second half and secure a bonus-point victory.