An early autumn day in Hackney, which commenced with a pitch sweep for dog poo and a team trying to borrow players from us…the 10’s tournament was looking like a slog of a day!

Hampstead 10’s specialists came together from all areas of the men’s club, with each of the 5 teams represented in the lineup. News that Barnet and London French were in attendance meant Hampstead were looking forward the title of under-dogs for the tournament.

When the first game kicked off, Hampstead clearly hadn’t read the script, as aggression and strong defence pushed back the favourites Barnet, capped off with an exceptional solo try from Kris Britland, bursting through the middle of a gap which only he spotted. The form book was upset and suddenly Hampstead were looking like the dark horses!

A dominant scrum was provided by makeshift front row rotating between Ballard, Bayle, Harrison and Cam Parry. The second match though, against Hackney 2’s (with a few recognisable faces from their 1’s), proved a tougher affair, with Hampstead failing to maintain the pressure of the first match. A tough scrap, aided by some interesting refereeing, saw Hampstead miss out on the result, but qualify from the group stage as runner up.

Into the Semi Final, and a game against eventual winners Hackney 1’s, Hampstead’s fitness came into play (and let them down). Hackney capitalised on a drop in the tackling and two lucky bounces to race into an early lead. Fitness may have been failing, but heart wasn’t. Hampstead battered their way into the Hackney 22, and ‘Sheen’ O’Keeffe showed more to his repertoire than towering lineout play, to drive over and score.

It turned out to be too little too late, but an overall good performance from the whole squad, who will be looking up the club to compete for places over the coming season.

MoM - shared J Kulik and P Britland

DoD – Ballard went for a BBQ rather than play the semi.

Mentions – strong debuts for Rabbitt, O’Keeffe, Polyakov, Lees. Front Row futures for Bayle and Parry.