With the end of the normal league season a week earlier being in the snow Hampstead were looking forward to what was going to be a physical game against Belsize with it being one win a piece so far this season.

Belsize started the game the strongest putting Hampstead under a lot of pressure, however a breakaway try from Binst would give Hampstead the lead against the run of play. Aside from the last 5 minutes the remainder of the half was all Hampstead’s with strong runs from the likes of Marshall, Fehnert and McEwen drawing defenders in opening up space outside for the backs to go to work. Try of the first half goes to Ferguson who managed to get on the outside of his opposite number within a few metres and run one in from just inside the opposition half. The first half finished with Belsize gaining a well-deserved try from a driving maul.

The second half again started with Belsize controlling things with their pack and 9 working the edges of the breakdown well, finding holes and making yards. Eventually the continued pressure told and they were able to get over for another try.

Earlier on in the season this could have been one those situations where heads dropped and mind sets would have changed, but this wasn’t to be the case. With the Belsize packing holding their own at the set piece Hampstead worked at giving their outside backs opportunities for one on ones against their opposite numbers. Tries came from all over, however a mention must be made of Ryan Sooklal-Grizzle who in just his second game for the twos bagged himself a hat-trick as well as showing some strong defence.

A final score of 47-12 doesn’t reflect the determination from the Belsize defence, however on the day the clinical nature of Hampstead’s attacking play (aside from David Ryan’s offloads) proved too much.

MoM-Ryan Sooklal-Grizzle

Special mention: Mike Whelan-After a whole season of asking whether he could kick it came down to a ‘kick-off’ before the game to work out who would be taking conversions. Not only did Whelan win the competition, but he proceeded to kick 6 out of 7 conversions. Fair play fella!