Heroes of Harrow, please stand up!

It was a brutal morning, unrelenting rain poured down on the muddiest pitches as our threadbare squad took to the field. What our squad lacked in numbers it more than made up for with heart.

First up an attritional encounter with Harrow. The opposition were giants (surely U-14s we all thought but alas not) and our squad dominated by backs had there work cut out for them. The game plan was simple, tackle, ruck at speed and spin the ball wide to our flyers. Each and every boy stood up and made tackle after tackle though eventually the sheer weight of Harrow’s team crossed the line. Despite a narrow defeat the boys earned huge respect for their composure especially in the face of some lawless high tackles.
Next up Chess Valley and this time the boys were even sharper at the breakdown and with fast ball through the halfbacks to the wings we overcome another big side. The brave-weathering crowd were awed by the skill and accuracy of our passing. Hampstead prevailed and victory was ours against another hugely physical side.

The punishing weather continued as we regrouped before the Barbarians game. This was another phenomenal match - notably for high tackle count and the courage of our boys to carry the ball and move it to the edges. The Baabaas competed at a hugely attritional breakdown and the match was nip and tuck to the end. The game finished in a draw.

Finally, and down to 12 players who had all played at least two full matches we took on the much heralded Finchley side for the second time this season. The conditions again suiting the physically bigger opposition. It was a super-tight encounter with some outrageous tackles from the boys, but in the end Finchley ran out winners by two tries to zero, a huge improvement on our last result against them.

The day was rounded off by presentations in the clubhouse where Hampstead were honoured with a trophy for Fair Play. This was a fitting tribute to a team that simple gave it everything, in awful conditions and won the hearts of all onlookers for their endeavour and bravery.

Three cheers for Hampstead!