On the day of an epic clash, it wasn't the Twickenham showdown in the spotlight, but a monumental gathering of a 27-man club squad uniting seasoned players, social enthusiasts, veterans, and those returning after a decade hiatus. Facing a formidable Old Hamptonians (O.H), perched on top of their league, Thamesians knew they were in for an intense encounter.
The match opened with Thamesians seizing control, dominating the field for the first 20 minutes, camping in the O.H 22. The breakthrough came when Will Childs, playing 9 exploited a slither of space in the defence from a ruck, propelling himself over for a crucial try. However, Skipper Rajan's disallowed try, amid a rolling maul served as a pivotal moment, the ref said he dropped the ball, hotly contested by the skipper nonetheless (perhaps a D.O.T.D moment)
O.H gradually found their rhythm, notching up two rapid tries, concluding the first half 12-7 in their favour. At halftime, Coach Aimer rallied the team, tasking them with scoring 2 early in the second half.
The resumption mirrored the beginning, with Rajan piercing the defence for an early try. Momentum surged as Thamesians orchestrated impressive phase play, setting up newcomer Harvey (affectionately dubbed 'goggles') for a stellar debut try. Yet, O.H retaliated, securing two splendid tries from their backline, giving them a slim lead at 24-21.
With a mere 10 minutes remaining, Thamesians adopted an all-or-nothing approach. Opting for a tap and go after winning a penalty, relentless forward efforts proved fruitless against a stout O.H defence. It was the backs' turn, executing a quick blindside play to position Harvey Choules in the corner. The drama continued as Thamesians secured a late lineout in O.H territory. In a tense climax, the pack surged forward with a rolling maul culminating in Dan Moss walking over the try line and grounding the ball for his maiden club try, with a few words of encouragement from the boys (He forgot he had to ground the ball)
The game culminated in a thrilling 33-24 victory for Thamesians. We’d like to extend our gratitude to the supporters from both sides, whose presence elevated the match into a memorable spectacle, rendering it an absolute joy to partake in.
