'Combe unlucky as official makes unfortunate error

The Extra 1st XV travelled away to Hurlingham Park for our first ever encounter with hammersmith & Fulham with a scrum half at hooker, a hooker at tighthead ,the second row full of backrow and a backline where most of them are not even shaving yet!

The lads started well with early pressure resulting in a Loyden penalty, 0-3
Hammersmith bounced back with a try on 5 minutes 5-3.
Our one up tackles were strong and the oppo weren't getting over the gain-line, more pressure resulted in another Loyden penalty 5-6.
The boys were working hard in defence and attack with Harvey Young controlling well at 10 until a clash of heads saw Harvey unfortunately taken away in an ambulance. 12 stitches above the eye and some bruising but he will be back training in a couple of weeks. Gav Taylor moves in at 10.
The boys held out until the 30 minute mark and conceded another try 10-6
The forwards thought they were on a fair ground ride the speed at which the scrum was wheeling but was never picked up...........
A try on the 35th minute and a converted try at the 39th saw Combe down 22-6 at the break but were far from out of this contest or so we thought!!!
Billy Bigenell had to come off with a neck injury resulting in uncontested scrums, this league has an unlimited rolling sub rule, this means that a front row can be replaced with any player if a front row replacement isn't available and uncontested scrums will ensue. Unfortunately the ref hadn't read up on the rules of the Shield competition and ultimately made the X-men drop a player and play the 2nd half with 14 men effectively eliminating any chance of a comeback.
Josh Penny with his first run out for the 2`s steps in for Loyden who tackled himself to a stand still, Josh bought the average age (and weight) down even lower.
An early score by Hammersmith sees 'Combe down 27-6 and every chance of imploding but all credit to the lads, for such a young side they didn't let this happen and dug deep to score on the 46th minute with Kayton running in a well worked try, Livett converts 27-13.
The lads put some good plays together but find it difficult with the opposition backline virtually in our line at every play. James Elsley was heard to say he's that far offside hes behind me.
We let in another converted try 34-13
The boys pull together again and with Kayton's gas score in the 60th minute 34-18. At this point we believe we can win this and the way they are playing for each other they have every chance.
Some more suspect decision making and the ref needing a water break, as she "makes bad decisions when i'm thirsty" saw Hammersmith score again 39-18
5 minutes from the end and Ben Hennah with a great individual runs scores under the posts and Livett converts 39-25

Final score 39-25.

Man of the match Ben Hennah but it could have gone to anyone of the players, all the young lads came of age today and stood up to the end.
Ross Harper gets a massive pat on the back playing hooker did everything right and got involved.
Livett controlled well from 15, old head and young shoulders and Taff Lewis as team captain led well from the front.
A lot of promising things came out of the game and all should be proud of your performance.

Simon Campbell