Last Updated: Thursday, 11 October 2007

Hammers Exit via Stage Door

By Grant Zany-Fiddle in London, Sunday Telegraph

Last Updated: 7:13am BST 09/10/2007

Belsize Park 27 (22) – Hammersmith & Fulham IVs XV 0 (0)

The open air theatre in Regents Park is commonly associated with staging the more uplifting works of Shakespeare so it was unfortunate for the Hammers that this entertaining spirit did not drift a few hundred yards from that famous stage to the pitch next door as the visitors fell to a strong Belsize Park side in game that could have matched one of the ballads more tragic plays.

The Hammers delivered a gutsy, but abject first half, at the end of which they were down by 22 points, and although there was a marked second-half improvement, they eventually fell 27 points to nil.

Despite the score line there are positives that the Hammers can take from this match. For the majority of the second half a very physical Belsize side was unable to break down a stubborn and committed Hammers defense, that, in fairness, worked feverishly until the final whistle.

From the kick off Belsize Parks game plan was simple yet effective. Numerous pick and drives from their powerful forwards battered the Hammers defense, constantly gaining valuable yards in territory. Their follicly challenged tight head prop was a constant physical nuisance and made several damaging charges deep into the Hammers half despite having the most stupid haircut to grace the rugby field since Mickey Skinner.

It did not take long for Belsize to register their first score, laying siege to the Hammers line their number 8 burrowed his way over from short range after several probing phases of attack. Belsize Park scored three further tries in a similar fashion, using their forward domination they caused the Hammers to over commit themselves in a series of rucks and mauls that left defensive gaps at the fringes for the Belsize back row to exploit. It was fortunate that the home side did not have an established kicker as all but one conversion attempts sailed wide of the uprights.

The second half kicked off with the Hammers playing down the hill and playing for pride and respect against a Belsize side with their tails up who were looking to consolidate on their first half performance .

Surrounded by the tranquil Nash inspired Georgian terraces the small gathering of spectators could have been forgiven in thinking that 60 plus point thrashing was on the cards. However, the Hammers had other ideas as they set out to frustrate and disrupt the visitors at every opportunity.  Aggressive Hammers tackling, especially from Lam and Phillips started to tell on Belsize Park as errors started to creep into their game. Although Belsize still commanded the lion’s share of possession they found it increasingly difficult to break out of their 22 for much of the half. However, despite the fantastic defensive display by the visitors they still struggled to mount any decisive attack with what possession came their way.

It was a breakaway try from Belsize minutes from the end that dashed any hopes of the Hammers keeping clean second half score sheet. With the last role of the dice the Hammers tried to conjure up a score and a presence on the scoreboard with Andy Scott sending a penetrating kick downfield which he gave chase to with Fitzgerald and Keen not far behind. The Belsize fullback got back just in time to gather the dangerous loose ball before going to ground, a subsequent knock on at the ruck signaled for the curtains to be drawn on this match.

Team: Zin (, Evans, Woodward, Scott, Reynolds, Phillips, Scott, Lecouter, Chiltern, Lam Franklin, Fitzgerald, Keen, Dunford, Kirkam

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