The 3s bulldoze Teddington in a commanding performance

After a late in the week call-off from our scheduled opposition in the league, Hammers were grateful to Teddington RFC for stepping up and giving us a match on Saturday. The excitement of England’s semi-final had proved too much for one member of the squad, and so a slightly depleted Hammers 3’s arrived at Teddington after a long journey to some lovely british rain. 

Encouraged by a request for 35 minute halves from the opposition captain, Hammers started strongly and wanting to set the tempo of the game. The forwards and backs were linking up well with fluid handling and determined carries, which led to several early scores for the Hammers with Tom diving over just like tuilagi did on Saturday for the first score, then Ralston started slicing through the defence to score a brace. The Hammers knew they were in control of this game and with good discipline being kept and the option of roll on roll off subs, we decided to freshen up the team with the introduction of a few players and to keep the lads warm.  The first half was very one sided with possession high and keeping energy levels high  there was no let up for the home side, with the Hammers going in at the break to a healthy lead of 41-0.

 Things carried on in much the same vein at the beginning of the second half, led by Captain Cook selling a dummy that would have made Steve Thompson blush before steaming in from the halfway line. With such an abundance of names on the score sheet, Bobby Phillips was determined not to be amongst them and palmed a ball down with the try line begging. This act of generosity sparked a period of resistance from Teddington. They kept their attack tight, using the experience in their pack, and Hammers discipline was poor under this pressure. The arm wrestle was only broken by a yellow card for a shoulder charge from a Teddington player, their second of the match. Hammers scored a well worked team try to have the final say, miraculously converted by N. Emmett. Final score Hammers 55-0 Teddington. 

 Try Scorers

(Ralston x3, Cook x2, Bobby x1, Lachy x1, Eldridge x1, Mohan x1)