Old HamptoniansRFC

It was a crisp wintery day as a combination Hamptonians and Thamesians team took to the rugby field against Old Isleworthians. An expectant crowd of boozed up old men were looking forward to the match and they were treated to some dazzling rugby as the HampThamesians team tossed the ball around with insouciant glee. It was real old school rugby, from the ridiculously oversized archaic jerseys; through to the decision by both teams to often look for the tap and go and not forgetting the obligatory punch up in the second half that saw a player binned from each side. Thankfully, Mickey Wu decided not to use his kung fu skills on the Isleworthians player. He is literally a killing machine, having worked as an assassin for hire for the UK Government back in the 1970s.

The final score was 79-17 to HampThamesians and it was richly deserved. It was a cathartic day for a number of the Hamptonians players, who had been on the receiving end of some savage beatings during the ill-fated league campaign and it was evident in several passages of play. Some of it was first class with notable contributions from Ross Lang and James Turner in the centres, with the latter having a field day in getting past his opposite man with a combination of brutal speed and power and deft grace and fancy footwork. In fact, the author was moved to tears and even now, two days on, still has a lump in his throat when he thinks about the play from the centres. If anyone deserved to wear luminous yellow boots, it was James…

But he wasn’t the only one to make hay while the sun shone. The first half back row combination of Gav Lock, Ben Banks and Nick Cooke set the platform for the backs to do their business and although a sea of substitutions disrupted the continuity just after half time, by the fourth quarter of the match, the new back row of John Lynch, Jay Frankenberger and Ben Banks were picking holes in Isleworthians defence for fun.

There were also notable cameos from Kourosh, Billy Keates and Andy Wells before all three picked up little niggles that saw them leave the field. Andy Wells’ pirouette and offload to Billy for one of the tries will live long in the memory of all those who witnessed it and was a shot in the arm for all bald men everywhere.

However, for all the individual brilliance, it was a day when everyone played a part in securing the victory. Yes the backs might’ve taken a lot of the plaudits, but the hard work was done up front against an experienced and tricky Old Isleworthians pack. It was a real niggly affair in the tight and both sets of players enjoyed the ebb and flow of the tussle. The starting front five of Ian, Christian, Tony, Kevin and Humphrey built a solid platform for Barty and Jay to supplement during the second 40.

It was also a fantastic game for bringing both Hamptonians and Thamesians closer together. The Spartans team has only lost one game so far this season and on the strength of Saturday’s match, can only continue on an upward trajectory. It has been a great campaign so far and the enthusiasm and commitment from both teams for each other has been excellent. Long may it continue…

NB – you might be wondering who actually scored the tries on Saturday but unfortunately, the author’s memory has let him down somewhat (too much Guinness and random shots I’d hazard)… however, I think James Turner picked up three, there were braces for Billy and Ben. Ahmed scored one (after butchering two chances before that!), Paddy opened his account for the season in the first half while Gav and Taity also picked up tries during the opening 40 and I’m sure Ross went over once or twice…