The Long And Winding Road

A full 589 days since King’s last hosted a league game, the 1XV were delighted to welcome Hammersmith and Fulham for the first league meeting between the clubs. Although just 7 miles apart H&F are a Middlesex club and so encounters between sides have been limited to two cup games, with honours even at one win a piece. Having won promotion as runners-up of London 2NW in 2019-20 the visitors got off to an impressive start as they put on an assured display to down perennial promotion chasers Camberley 19-8 on the opening weekend and were plainly not to be underestimated.

For King’s the hiatus has been unwelcome but not terminal for personnel. Of the match-day 18 all but one had played for the club as a Senior or in a youth side – no little achievement and one which King’s is proud of. New faces in the squad today included Jack McGarey and three recent university graduates and ex-U21s on the bench in Benoit Israel, Felix Griffin and Jacques Birch. The whistler was Jonathan Priestley and bang on 3pm he got everyone back to doing what they enjoy.

As starts go it was a good one from a King’s point of view as H&F were hassled and harried into mistakes as they carried the ball with some trepidation in the face of aggressive defence. Having won themselves a scrum on 6mins, Ben Woollams released winger Chris du Toit who bisected the midfield before releasing skipper George Taylor who was too quick for the cover; 5-0. Back came H&F and after King’s were pinged for an accidental offside the visitors pointed to the posts, Joe Carolan doing the necessary; 5-3. The pace of the match did not abate as King’s were the next to threaten as a second score was only denied by a forward pass with the line beckoning for Charlie Dockery. From a midfield scrum 3mins later no mistake was made as a break from George Taylor scrambled the H&F defence and whilst his offload didn’t go to hand Chris du Toit recovered the ball and powered over in the corner. This time Ben Woollams’ radar worked just fine; 12-3.

A flurry of bullish words of encouragement from their coach behind the posts appeared to have the desired effect on H&F as they answered the rallying call as from a scrum on halfway centre Joe Carolan, who was at the heart of much which was good for his side, slipped a tackle creating a 2-on-1 which left Marshall Macleod an unopposed stroll to the posts for a 7 pointer; 12-10. The only other scoring came from the tee, a penalty for offside slotted once more by Woollams; 15-10. H&F did break out in the dying embers of the half, lively winger Tim Russell sprinted away but he was snared before the defence went one better turning the ball over to extinguish the danger.

HT: 15-10

Once more the hosts had the better of the early exchanges in the second forty, from a penalty for a high tackle King’s opted for the corner before driving a maul on with seemingly one outcome likely, but although the ball crossed the whitewash it was adjudged held up giving rise to the first goal-line drop out seen at Motspur Park. The game then entered a protracted arm-wrestle phase, H&F pushing King’s back frequently off the boot of scrum-half Ross Anderson (King’s MOM choice) who had clearly been studying the 50-22 law and the home side carrying the ball energetically but ultimately fruitlessly in a quest for points.

Going into the last ten minutes all remained to play for and when Will Kibblewhite was consigned to the bin for a late tackle nerves were jangling for King's supporters. To their credit the 14 stood firm and went one better when they turned over the visitors in the home 22, a quick tap from Charlie Dockery set George Taylor (H&F’s MOM choice) away, he drew the defence before releasing debutante winger Jacques Birch who coolly chipped his man then won the ensuing foot race showing impressive pace and composure to scoop the ball and complete the grounding; 20-10. With that the game was won but the hunt for a try BP went on and just as King’s were restored to their full compliment so H&F had their numbers diminished with fly-half Marshall’s afternoon ending a few minutes early with a 'team yellow'. Credit to H&F they refused to yield as King’s pressed and despite a concerted effort there was to be no change to the final tally.

FT: 20-10

After the disappointment of being held scoreless seven days previous this was a welcome return to form for King’s who showed glimpses of the sort of rugby the team aspires to play. H&F for their part were doughty competitors on the field and entertaining (and thirsty) company off it. It was 2011-12 when H&F last played at Level 6 (in London 1 North), but on the evidence of today, and last week, they should have more than enough to extend their stay – we shall certainly look forward to seeing them in the last game of 2021-22.

Next week sees King’s taking on a much more familiar opposition in the form of Farnham as a trip down the A3 and over the Hogsback beckons. The clubs have recently locked horns at in L3SW and L2SW, so it is a pleasure to now have the opportunity to do so at Level 6. All support would be most welcome for a 3pm kick-off at Wilkinson Way as Farnham seek their opening victory of their campaign and King’s look to achieve their first away win.