A dusty field with cool and calm conditions awaited Hammies as the team went in search of another win to make it 7 out of 7 at UWC on Saturday.
In what turned out to be an entertaining game, it was the Hammies pack that pitched up with some real purpose this week. Hammies used their strong line out maul to work 2 early tries and head into an early 0 -10 lead.
Lessons learned from the previous week as Hammies kept it tight in the opening quarter and showed greater organization than last week, to drive UWC off the park.
This was pleasing to watch a dominant pack actually assert their dominance this week and not play directly into the oppositions hands. This week the Hammies forwards were far more ruthless in the ruck & maul execution, scrums and line outs.
This was pleasing to watch a dominant pack actually assert their dominance this week and not play directly into the oppositions hands. This week the Hammies forwards were far more ruthless in the ruck & maul execution, scrums and line outs.
UWC then hit back with a superb breakout try of the their own which started 5 m from their own goal line and ended under the Hammies posts for one of the best tries of the entire day.
Hammies then began to use the back line with more purpose and our experienced scrum half Oupa providing excellent service and option taking. Oupa also showing us his full array of skills plus some goal kicking with some successful conversions.
Upfront the 2 flankers Raymond Finkel and James Language both dotted down and were the stand out players for Hammies on the day with strong running and support play.
As the 2nd half drew to a close, Hammies were caught out twice by the quick thinking from UWC which resulted in 2 further tries to the gutsy home side.
However the good early foundation laid by the forwards provided enough score board pressure and Hammies were able to romp home with further tries from Lazz, Oupa, Micheal Teichman
Credit to UWC for a keeping up the pressure on Hammies all day and punishing us for our slow reactions to the game situation.
In the end it was Hammies who were always in control of the score board with a well worked total of 8 tries. Well played guys! The coaches will however be concerned about conceding 4 tries – the most so far this season. Our determination and desire to work back from quick tap penalties and then to defend open space on the chip chase and counter attack is now an area that requires real awareness and attention.
View all match images here
Final score 26 – 48
By Barry Herbert {Manager 3rd XV}