[b]Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV : 38

Tries – 5
Conversions – 5
Penalties - 1

Hammersmith and Fulham RFC 1XV : 17

Tries - 3
Conversions - 1

Half Time: 14-7

It really isn’t over you know until the big muscular prop sings. Lovely Louis Bailey, Doug McGregor Smith and even new prop on the scene, Andrew Toole are therefore practicing and primed with microphone in hand, for a celebratory rendition at home after our clash with Old Haberdashers on Super Saturday.

With matters now being a 3-way fight for promotion Hammersmith and Fulham remain in poll position with a 2 point lead with new pretenders A&C and Cobham breathing down their necks. Form is undoubtedly with us and Cobham and there was no better of evidence of this as Chiltern took the game to Hammersmith with power, consistency and style befitting of our President’s luncheon celebration.

A packed club, with many of our past players returning to the club it had a feel of the famous salmon ladder, at Pitlochry, Scotland. The venue to see the Salmon returning to spawn within the many wonderful Scottish sea lochs. Although no spawning there was never the less much sharing of memories and laughter as stories were recited and even enacted whilst savouring Derek’s dishes and Mollie’s munchies on a fair Saturday afternoon.

The scene was set to really put yet more pressure on league leaders Hammersmith and Fulham and have opportunity to close the gap to a mere 2 points. With only 2 games to go it could be a very interesting couple of games for everyone as they bid for the single prize of life a level up and mixing with teams of Level 5.

Hammersmith started the strongest with a series of well executed attacks and decent ball possession. Strong defence, A&Cs hallmark for the season, ensured parity was maintained with no early gains for the visitors. Some fine sniping from Conor Segre (scrum half) resulted in a fine opening try under the posts on 14 minutes. Tom Fawssett maintained his fine form with an easy opening conversion (7-0).

Only 6 minutes later Hammersmith were rewarded with their opening try, breaching the Chiltern defence and securing an easy conversion in front of the clubhouse (7-7). Chiltern’s response though was impressive and after a further period of sustained pressure it was Dan Kingsley, cutting through at Stand-off with the defence dropping off to ensure a healthy and competitive half-time lead (14-7).

Chiltern emerged from their changing room with a determined look and feel. Inspired by Jordan Scott’s ripped shirt they wasted no time in building on their half-time lead. In the second minute Jordan picked up at the base of the scrum before exploiting the defensive gaps and scoring again under the posts. Tom Fawssett again converting (21 -7).

No sooner had we kicked off, the defining moment of the game was reached with Warwick South wasting no time in returning Hammersmith again to time behind the posts. With little prospects of stopping him he threw himself over the line to secure an easy conversion and extended led (28-7).

On 14 minutes following a wee bit of naughtiness by Hammersmith Tom Fawssett chose to kick an impressive penalty (31–7).

With bonus point already secured it just left, ‘the Poth’, Ben Pothecary, to loiter and purr before striding out with his strained hamstring to score our 5th try and ensure Tom Fawssett had opportunity to maintain 100% success with his kicking. Final score (38–17).

Highlights:

• Andrew Toole: Utility forward and star of Cartha Queen Park RFC, Glasgow propping
as cover for Doug MacGregor-Smith.
• Keiran Booth: Man of the match with low level grunting and moaning as he continually made the yardage.
• Conor Segre: Athletic and alert ensuring continual high tempo
• Dan Kingsley at Stand–off: Our very own Finn Russell and Roadrunner.
• Noah Jarvis: Centre and line breaker – a leader by example
• Tom Fawssett: Again, steaming down the wing with nothing standing in his way
• A bench – of effort and power: seamless and awesome ensuring a team win!
• Josh Finch: Captain and our very own James Bond and relentless in defence and attack. A wee player with a huge heart

Quote of the day: ‘ A Bananarama moment for me - It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results. What a great end to the season’. Dan Pearson, A&C Backs Coach.

Next Week:

We are packing the scrumpy cider, pasties and hevva cake and venturing to the Richard Evan Memorial Ground, Kingston Vale and the home of London Cornish RFC. Following our narrow opening win (31-29) nothing is being taken for granted as 2nd plays 7th in our penultimate match.

Team:
1. Andrew Toole
2. Joe Batt
3. Louis Bailey
4. Keiran Booth
5. Will Drewett
6. Warwick South
7. Josh Finch ©
8. Jordan Scott
9. Conor Segre
10. Dan Kingsley
11. Tom Fawssett
12. Noah Jarvis
13. Mackenzie South
14. Bojan Cecaric
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Cameron Wilson
17. Michael Everett
18. Alex Bower