The 2’s scrum powers Hammers to a famous victory!
The scene was set for another 2s classic. Away at Wimbledon, a team that put 50 points on us during our first meeting this season, spotting a traitorous former Hammer on their team sheet, and the return of the Rogan, Head ******* in charge, promoted to the 2s following his return from Down Under.
We started well and pretty quickly learnt their game plan, “kick, kick and kick”. Dugdale had the game of his life, for about 60 seconds, before knocking heads with the opposition and being pulled of by the physio. Some big carried from Hibberd and skilful chip and chases from Niall put is 2 tries ahead rather quickly. They then showed some skill in identifying space, getting the ball wide and dotting down 2 of their own to close the score.
Dugdale’s injury was the first of 4, and by minute 27 of the game, despite having 3 subs, the 2s would soon find themselves down to 14 men, with 2 forwards in the back – classic ********!
This coupled with some fast play from Wimbledon, moving the ball round our heavy pack of steam pigs enables them to dot down another try. Another line break from them and a last-ditch intercept attempt from Geoff (fair contest if you ask me) handed them a penalty try and 10 mins in the bin for Geoff. Down to 14 men, and the scores locked at 14 all, we play on.
Some good attacking play from us put us deep into their half, earning penalties which we decided to kick for the posts. Mutters of “boring” by the opposition were soon silenced by the ever-reliable boot of Weaver and Geoff – the boys are up by 6. We look good in attack, but a lack of continuity in defence – understandable being a player down – leaves holes. Wimbledon takes advantage, takes the lead, and then score again when poor tighthead prop Valerio finds himself abandoned in the 15 channel defending a 3-on-1. The rot is only stopped when – off the back of what would prove the Hammers secret weapon, their scrum – Ben Hibberd busts through the line, links again with Niall, and scores! Geoff takes the extras to see out the half.
We went into half time only a point apart, 27-28 or something similar. Motivational speech time, we knew we were up against it, a man down, forwards blowing hard, backs having to deal with forwards getting in the way of their fancy moves. The word of the day was “Standards” – we we’re in this fight, we just had to hold each other and ourselves to the standards we know we can play to.
When then transpired was a see-sawing, tit-for-tat contest that left the fans with hearts in their mouths. Both teams going try-for-try, and the game nail bitingly close despite the 2s being a man down. For 30 minutes, it was back-and-forth and side-to-side. We had the lead…they had the lead. They broke the line.. heroic tackles from Nursey…an intercept from Jones…Then came a long stint of attacking pressure from the Hammers deep into their 22, earning a penalty advantage, quick tap, going for the line, phases… and…. and… a fumble from stalwart and front-foot player Matt Jones, plying his trade that day from the second row and making an uncharacteristic error. Damn! 7 minutes to go, and the boys are down by 6.
We come to the game defining moment, a scrum – THE scrum, THAT BLOODY SCRUM! Opposition ball, on their 5-meter line, their 9 feeds the ball in and…never has a pack of 8 Hammers forwards moved so quickly in unison, so powerfully…so purposefully! The Wimbledon pack are pushed off and the ball is OURS, carefully protected at our 8s feet, and still the scrum hurtles towards the line. Only in a last ditch attempt by the oppo to stop the impending doom to they bring it down (illegally), but Jimmy McKendry – acting scrum half – has already picked and safely dotted it down over the line. Try to the Hammers, Try to the Steam Pigs!!!
Our tails up, within 2 minutes, we attack the outside channels and score again! 5 minutes left with 8 points up! We’re tired but we believe. Wimbledon know they are in danger of losing their first game of the season so probe hard and identify a mismatch. Their 12 breaks the line, dodges spent Hammers defenders scores! There’s 2 minutes to go! They refuse a conversion attempt in order to save enough time for the restart. They know they have to score another try in win the game
The referee tells us its the last play. Wimbledon’s last chance. Our kick to them. 3 point game. Hammers in front.
Geoff kicks off. Everyone knows the job, 2 minutes of 100% work rate. All the pre-season Ian fitness specials have been for moments like this. Every player is wearing their heart on their sleeve. Wimbledon play a few phases in the middle of the park until its spun wide and…they’re caught slightly isolated! “Fire”!!!! About 6 of the heavy men pile into the ruck and turn the ball over, out to Nursey who launches it to touch.
Game over!!!! Hammers win 48 – 45!!
We eon in the heart, and really felt in the lungs. Ben Hibberd gets the honours of man-of-the-match, scoring or setting up at least 3 tries, but a big shout out the Steam Pigs, who through pure heart and force of will, went through a bigger Wimbledon pack to turn the game
