The coaches and buses rolling into to London Irish’s immaculate ground told their own story - this was going to be different. Even last year Covid had left the festival a little more U.K., but u12 and the final festival of the season saw 36 u12 squads show up, with only two that Hampstead had played before this year. Teams from 6 countries, and all over England meant there was a real festival atmosphere, and a great final run out for the team.

The early start was definitely felt, but the boys warmed up well and were ready to go as they got into the morning playing a Hove team that proved to be a challenge. They started quickly, and within a couple of minutes were touching down with a couple of the Hampstead boys coming off injured. From that point though the boys buckled down, pushing themselves into the other half and creating a much more balanced game. Managed a couple of scores (even on the wing) but a few missed tackles and a little bad luck left Hove up a try at the end with Hampstead pressing, but unable to get over the line and losing by 1.

The second match was a special occasion - first international against Crosshaven from Co Cork (Ireland). The boys played very well, maintaining complete defensive control, but were definitely less slick than sometimes, with a few dropped balls. Luckily the general play was so good that could live with it, and a couple of tries (possibly both from Irish connections) saw the team home.

After a bit of a break ran out again against a team from closer to home - Old Albanians. Turning the jerseys around to play in white. Going down by one again early, the boys dug deep to go up 2-1, with some real athleticism the highlight . A late concession set up a barnstorming finish however: concerted pressure and drawing a few penalties left Hampstead feeling they could just make something happen. Unfortunately a big collision on the wing was the final play - a draw was a good result, but so close too more.

Lunch then - and the weather almost starting to pick up (though would probably say that was a false dawn overall). Down a couple of more players from the morning (and possibly slightly over fed) the boys came out a bit sluggish in the fourth match - against Bath RFC. Unable to really get out of their half due to a combination of a little less dynamism than normal and not managing to react to the referee’s style, the boys were under a huge amount of pressure. Though they stood up pretty well, did both struggle with an unusual chip-kick / grubber style (possibly a Somerset thing) and miss a few tackles. Managed to keep themselves together, but this was probably the match they would like back.

Finally, those remaining standing came up against a Maidstone team that had been rampaging through most of the other teams all morning (helped by being on average about 20% bigger). This match started with huge intensity, the boys dropping Maidenhead’s lead carrier repeatedly, putting real pressure on the ruck, and showing some of the limitations of sheer athleticism versus the skill, speed and rugby nous that Hampstead was bringing. After a couple of chances went begging, eventually the boys managed to put a winger over in the corner to go up, but was still all to play for. One conceded to a mismatch in the corner, another to a big runner from close, and the boys were chasing, but still very much in the game. Maidenhead were flustered- and getting edgy, and the boys did come very close to a tying score with a borderline tackle from a very large twelve year old just keeping them out on the final play of the game. Though it finished a loss, the sheer skill, determination and team work of this one probably but it as the joint top performance of the season with the league final win against Rosslyn Park.

To lose like that, fighting to the end, everyone of them who was able to stand giving their all, is a hugely rewarding for us as a coaching team. We’ve done our best to give them some of the skills and techniques, but that was heart, and actually wanting to put their bodies on the line for their teammates. If they can bottle that, there is really no limit to what they can achieve.