Hampstead13vsEnfield Ignatians29

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead34vsSt Albans15

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead40vsBarnet II10

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead0vsStevenage II0

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead24vsTring II15

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The end of the Six Nations held much promise for exciting rugby, with a Grand Slam and title on offer, a Wooden Spoon decider, and a friendly between two old rivals in the shape of Hampstead against Tring. Last year this same Tring side came to Hampstead to take on the Immortals of the mighty 2006/7 second team and lost for the first time in two seasons. Would this year provide them with sweet, sweet revenge? Not if the valiant warriors of the Heath had anything to do with it!

The game started with the usual Hampstead way of getting bossed about in the pack but using their superior backs to get out of trouble. Indeed, the pack struggled for much of the first half, especially in the set piece against the gorillas of Tring who obviously went training together more than once a season. However, the front eight showed that they had the mettle for it in flashes of brilliance such as a huge defensive scrum that turned the ball over allow the clearance to touch. A hallmark of the day was the Hampstead defensive effort, with the line always being well formed, gaps covered and good tackling throughout. Maybe it was the beet-red faced of Ali Halsall hobbling around on the touchline screaming obscenities like any good school teacher, or the no nonsense leadership of Tom Wadsworth, or the fact that Tim Killick’s dad was watching and we didn’t want to look like a bunch of fools in front of him. Obviously rejuvenated from last weekend’s booty train ride to Devon for some illicit affairs with a goat, Ben Howden turned in a Cipriani-esque performance with three tries, two conversions, big kicks to touch, the occasional tackle, and winning the height-off in the pub against all the locks apart from Tinky, who also won the gut-off as well… unsurprisingly.

Due to an excessive zeal for the good life over the weekend, the first try scorer escapes me, but I am fairly sure it was one of the backs, or possibly one of the other forwards, but I can state categorically that it was not me. I know that you, dear reader, are shocked by such an admission as I would normally claim any and all such tries, but it was evident that Tring had learnt from the trashing our 3rds gave them that I was the try scoring danger man in a fat Shane Williams kind of way, so every time I got the ball it was obvious that they had been coached to close down my space and not allow me to increase my impressive try record this season. Nevertheless, yours truly persevered and rather than be greedy, created space and opportunity for every one else. A memorable moment can as Hampstead attacked to the right – a neatly won ball from the pack saw Ben Howden pop it out to the ever-present Sumo in the midfield. With a flanker coming across, this paragon of running rugby saw the fullback covering over, but using his immense skill, stepped into towards the tackler, thereby checking the fullback so that his superbly timed pass to Bomber looping to the outside found the space and penetration that Sumo’s sublime vision and rugby acumen so richly deserved.

Other highlights included Paul James getting try line fever when he rounded his man, only to get yanked back by his collar and the referee deciding that wasn’t worth a high tackle let alone a penalty try; Sumo showing his speed and verve in open play; Chris once again playing against a prop shaped winger who, though blessed with the tactical kicking of a fly half, was encumbered with the other attributes of a prop; Sumo showing his speed and verve in tight play; Bomber relentlessly turning any and all kicks in counterattacks; Sumo showing his speed and verve and vision in letting Bomber claim that kick over this head. Anyway, we scored 4 tries in total, three to Ben including one dodgy one that the opposition seemed to find much fault with, they got a couple, meaning we won. Job done.

Man of the Match – had to be Ben Howden who got his hat-trick, with honourable mentions to skipper Tom Wadsworth, Colin Williams and Bomber Harris.

Muppet Moment of the Match – Matt Dick having a clear run to the line and dropping the ball in open play. Who says Kiwis can ever choke?

Hampstead0vsRuislip II42

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead49vsSt Albans II10

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead45vsStevenage II5

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead25vsHemel Hemstead II0

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead6vsHarrow 1st XV22

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Hampstead Rugby Club 2nd XV results and reports news feed

Hampstead13vsEnfield Ignatians29

Hampstead34vsSt Albans15

Hampstead40vsBarnet II10

Hampstead0vsStevenage II0

Hampstead24vsTring II15

Hampstead0vsRuislip II42

Hampstead49vsSt Albans II10

Hampstead45vsStevenage II5

Hampstead25vsHemel Hemstead II0

Hampstead6vsHarrow 1st XV22