The 1st XV finished the season on a high following a convincing 25-3 victory against St Benedict’s in a match played under the floodlights at Grasshoppers RFC. James Dowden reports on their victory:
Tries from Tommy Nagle, Louis Lynagh, Dan Finlay and Fergus McWilliams secured a victory for Hampton in what was the final 15-a-side match for the Upper Sixth members of the team.
Hampton started the game the stronger side and following immense work from the forwards, a scrum penalty was awarded to Hampton. Harlequins academy member Jamie Benson struck a crisp strike that bisected the uprights. St Benedict’s then hit back though a penalty of their own. Hampton were fronting up superbly in the contact zone and their forwards were beginning to take control of the game.
Following another penalty in favour of Hampton they elected to kick to the corner. A huge driving maul resulted in the opening try of the game with Tommy N burrowing over from close range to cross the line. Hampton further extended their lead through England U18 international Louis L before halftime, who showed his power as he crashed through a sea of tackles.
Following the interval, St Benedict’s produced an excellent piece of defending following a chip and chase by Patrick Silcox to keep Hampton at bay. A move straight from the training ground gave Hampton daylight between the sides. On an attacking scrum, a simple set of hands from scrum half Ed Lord gave Dan F the chance to run the ball in for Hampton’s third try of the match.
The tenacity of the Hampton side continued and their back line was again at the heart of a brilliant move to give them their final try. Ed L passed the ball off another scrum which was scooped up in the midfield before being released to Fergus M. Hitting a superb line, he broke through the defence and showing great strength to finish, sealed victory for this talented Hampton side.
Speaking after the game Louis L commented:
It was a great way to go out having played together over the last few years. Not letting in a single try against St Benedict’s is a fantastic result.
The game rounded off a successful season for the 1st XV who’ve won an impressive 71% of their games which will give the side confidence heading into the Sevens season. A final note must go to the Upper Sixth members of the team who have served the side with distinction. The boys have travelled to destinations such as Canada, USA, Biarritz and put in countless hours in training sessions, video analysis and the gym and it’s this hard work and dedication that has led to the memories that so many of them will treasure from their time at Hampton.
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