If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening, all over this land
I’d hammer out danger, I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land’ – Pete Seeger 1949.

Hurlingham Park, Fulham was the venue for our match-up with top of the table and unbeaten Hammersmith and Fulham RFC.

11 points difference between the sides and with a highly impressive goal difference many would say this would be a safe bet for a home win.

In fact rumours were abound that I had challenged our players by saying that they would lose. Of course, I can neither confirm nor deny this, but then again this was a performance of guts and confidence and all done with smiles and resilience alongside some appalling line-outs.

This really was a win resulting from strong defence, potent back play and the firmest of scrums. And all with a sprinkling of desire, focus and sheer tenacity. Who needs good lineouts when you can play like that?

So with an expectant home crowd and boisterous away support it was high tempo from the start. For 20 minutes both sides went at it hammer and tong. Both sides more than capable of retaining good possession and with solid defence by both. That was until winger Bojan Cecaric (our Serbian dual code International) took the ball at speed before cutting inside with balance and poise, accelerating through gaps in the defence to score under the posts. Noah Jarvis duly slotted the conversion (0 – 7) with the crowd subdued, and expecting more from their home team.

We all then waited another 20 minutes with little between the sides when all of a sudden, super-sub Doug McGregor-Smith, our marauding yomper breaking through the defence before looking up and spotting Noah on a lovely line to score near to the corner. No conversion and (0 – 12) after 42 minutes. Some say there was then too much extra-time but this allowed a frustrated Hammers side to break free with wider play and score a converted try before half –time (7 – 12).

Again, there was another 20 minutes of play when both sides cancelled each other out. A&C stronger in scrums and H&F winning most line-outs with ease. A&C tackled relentlessly in defence with Hammersmith responding in similar style. The London Referee enjoyed a low intervention style, and a vocal crowd was relentless in their encouragement.

The next score as they say was crucial and so it was Chiltern that really made them angry with a slick back’s move resulting in Oscar Heath tormenting the last line of the Hammersmith defence and scoring in the corner. (12 -17). On 61mins the home crowd were lifted and sounded triumphant when more wide passing resulted in a further converted try and joy when they took the lead (17 – 19).

There was still time though for either team to finish the other off.

And so it was to be with around 3 mins remaining some Hammers indiscipline around the half-way line resulted in a penalty award to Chiltern. Up stepped Oscar Heath without hesitation and poise. With a rub of the ball and well-rehearsed kick honed on the fields of Oxfordshire he eyed the posts and placed the ball on the tee. There was a breeze and it got windier. The delay was impressive as the breeze died and with a couple of steps and a smile on his face the ball flew over for the single point lead.

With a couple of minutes of secure Chiltern ball the win was complete. Can you imagine the score if we had won our lineouts.

Great effort all round. Great win.

Quote of the day: ‘Just shows what can be achieved without a functioning lineout, lineouts clearly don’t win matches

Callum (Strength and Conditioning)

Highlights

• Total trust in system with defence secure
• Immense and vocal travelling support
• Hammersmith and Fulham RFC Sponsor supplying free beer
• Leather seats on the coach
• South Africa stuffing England at Twickenham
• Winning run continues
• Welcome back to Doug McGregor-Smith after weeks defending the UK from tyranny.

Next Week: On the road again to start our return fixtures to re-engage with the London Irish Wild Geese and avenge the last kick defeat at Weedon Lane. Ironically we also welcome back Hooker Chris Joyce after his 9 weeks in the Cooler for some loose chat at the end of that match.

Team

1. Louis Bailey
2. Joe Batt
3. Callum Newton
4. Ollie Cato
5. Kieran Booth
6. Casper Jack
7. Josh Finch ©
8. Jordan Scott
9. Conor Segre
10. Andrew Fluker
11. Tim Hayes
12. Noah Jarvis
13. Oscar Heath
14. Bojan Cecaric
15. Tom Fawssett
16. Doug McGregor- Smith
17. Andrew Toole
18. MacKenzie South