Hammers go 7 from 7

A big day ahead, the longest coach trip of the year, a potential banana skin if past seasons are anything to go by and the thought of Six bottles of Lambrini’s on the horizon created an anxious buzz around the group.

Arriving at the ground the excitement began to grow, with facilities and grounds every club would dream of, a big 4g pitch, spacious changing rooms and a high spec gym you couldn’t help but look forward to what was ahead.

The game started with a poorly taken restart by hammers, however possession was quickly regathered. Ross quickly put his mark on the game bringing out his inner Dupont-esque kicking skills not once, but twice giving us a 50/22 gifting us great territory gains. The first of nine tries came fifteen minutes into the game after a quick tap penalty from ross, putting it out to the backs and Ed Haynes with perfect pass setting Matt Killeen up in the corner.

It wasn’t long before the second, third and fourth try came. Captain, Joe Carolan showing his strength to break a few tackles and finish in the corner. Joe, a name that will pop up a lot through this report, set McCloud up for the third try of the game after good identification of a miss-match in the middle. The fourth was a full length of the field try, with the ball going through J-Lo, Zanders and Harty’s hands before ending with another try from Joe, sealing that bonus point in the first half hour.

The half finished with a big defensive set, ten minutes of solid pressure from Aylesbury’s forwards grinding their way closer to the line and eventually coming away with a try, giving them some hope going into the second half. The second half started in a similar fashion to the ending of the first, silly penalties given away allowing Aylesbury a lineout five meters out which resulted in their second try of the match after some silky hands from their hooker.

More uncertainty came after a clearance kick didn’t make touch allowing Aylesbury’s fullback to gather and show his pace and skill to make a good break from sixty meters out leaving a two on one which was well executed putting them under the posts for another try, back to a sixteen-point difference, game on.

Fifteen minutes of brain fog out of the way and hammers got back to their usual ways settling into the second half and finally getting some territory and possession which resulted in another Killeen try, quickly followed by a beautifully executed move between scrum half Ross and centre Joe leaving the Aylesbury forwards wondering how he ended up under the posts to score his fourth try of the match.

Aylesbury didn’t give up hope on that loosing bonus point, and their determination paid off with a big carry from a destructive number eight to go over for Aylesbury’s last try of the match.

The game finished with a powerful run from J-Lo leaving four defenders in his wake resulting in the final try of the game and second for James, bringing the final score to 53-24. Some very strong performances, Joe Carolan in particular, who picked up MOTM. A lot to work on before a top of the table clash next weekend at Hurlingham, but a win on the road is always nice.