We had a great start to the new season taking 25 players, including half a dozen new members, in 3 teams to the Richmond festival this weekend.
Hampstead 1 kicked off proceeding with a match against Grasshoppers. In a competitive first half our defence was on top with 2 turnovers in a row on our line due to excellent teamwork and tagging. Our offence grew with lots of straight hard running in the second half exemplified by Sebby's touchdown for the last score of the game. New recruit, Timothee, announced himself with several tags and an important try against Teddington 1. Gael demonstrated his leadership, always first up in defence and speeding in for a couple of tries. Next up were Richmond Blues who brought a really good passing game, getting around us on the outside at times, but a crucial intercept by Theo and hard running by Oscar and Alfie got us back into the game. We saved some our best teamwork and passing for the London Welsh game with Arthur and Charlie amongst the try scorers. All of which may have resulted in some understandable tiredness against Battersea Ironside 1, the strongest team we met on the day.

Hampstead 2 played with great teamwork all day. Against Teddington 2 Georges trailed Finnley on a run and was on hand to take the scoring pass. It was Finnleys turn next following a hard running and great pass from Kayode. Straight running from Rocco then set up Magnus for a score. Against Barnes 2 Tom showed some nice side stepping to score just before half time. Georges proved to have an engine bigger than some of the planes flying overhead getting up and down the pitch in support and attack very impressively. Harrison had a debut to remember getting on the ball and showing up courageously in defence. The best try of the tournament (IMHO) went to Magnus after a great run and superb cross field spin pass from Finnley.

Hampstead 3 showed tremendous courage in defence against London Welshwith a 5 tag turnover right on their own line. Great passing and support demonstrated the skills translating from the training park. Further games against Teddington, Barnes and Grasshoppers showed fantastic teamwork, with straight fast runs often avoiding tags by the opposition and when tagged, excellent support and passing to ensure their attack could continue. Strong defence and wonderful tagging by the team to slow the opposition down, with some fantastic dives on the try line to avoid a score. Hampstead 3 played so well as a team with players rotating on and off the field at pace and always with a smile on their faces. Well done to Luke, Leon, Harvey, Sam, Leo, Harry, Finn and a great debut by Iggy.