The venue at Chiswick RFC is part of a massive complex of Rugby, soccer and Aussie Rule pitches on the North bank of the Thames in West London. The pitch for our fixture was a well looked after 5G pitch allowing back to back fixtures with Chiswick RFC ahead of us. The weather was initially very hot under a cloudless blue sky but as the 5pm kick time approached a crossfield breeze cooled things down whilst causing the kickers of both sides a few problems throughout the game.

Our hosts the Hammersmith Hills Hoists are reigning Southern Conference Champions winning the grand final in September last year and start their new season on April 11th so this was very much a last run out for Hoists. If you are not familiar with the home sides history, they are essentially a club made up of Southern hemisphere expats with a lot of Aussie accents heard both on and off the pitch!

As for RNRL Coach Darren named a 21 strong squad with the ‘Hoists’ doing like wise thus giving as many players a possible the chance for some competitive game time.

The game got underway 10 minutes late and it was the home side that got on the board first, a relieving kick from deep by RNRL was caught by the wind and went out on the full. From the restart the Hoists took advantage of the field position putting their right wing in at the corner, a big setback for the Brothers with barely 5 minutes on the clock 4:0. RNRL kept their heads and from the restart pushed for an early reply which seemed to be the case however prop and vice-captain David Brown was judged to have been held up over the line so no score. More exchanges in the next ten minutes or so did not produce any further scores with the Brothers having the best of the territory. A high tackle earned RNRL a penalty in the opponents half, this time prop Brown would not be denied crashing over to end the move, Rhys Joel converting and the Brothers were ahead 4:6. The ‘Hoits’ were next to score, their tactic of putting up a high ball into the wind worked for them with the bounce beating the RN defence, the home side taking advantage touching down under the posts, with a straightforward conversion they took the lead for the last time in the match 10:6. Agreed by both coaches Ref Peter Parker blew for a water break after an entertaining first quarter.
Ten minutes into the second quarter RNRL restored parity, after earlier missed chances a good set brought the Brothers into the ‘Hoists’ half, good hands found Danny Dainty joining the attack finishing well to tie the scores 10:10. Confidence was growing across the RNRL and this was highlighted by the Brothers best move of the half, Eden Quantock playing centre for the match touched down right of the posts converted by an excellent strike by Rhys Joel 10:16. The half was drawing to a close but RNRL had time for one more score and a fantastic effort it was. Good possession on halfway brought the Brothers in range, experience loose forward Jack Ray took the ball to beat the home side cover for the score. Another conversion for Joel rounded off the scoring for the half with RNRL 12 points to the good at 10:22.

The third quarter belonged to the home side, more high kicks and excellent wing play resulted in a brace of tries and a fine touchline conversion closed the gap to just two points going into the last 20 minutes or so, 20:22. RNRL debutant Josh Korobiau got his side on the front foot with a devastating 60m break bringing him within sight of the line before being brought down. However, from the Play the ball 2nd row James Teixeira cut through the flagging defence to touch down under the posts, Joel converts giving the Brothers a bit of breathing space at 20:28. The home side replied with an unconverted try of their own to set up a thrilling last quarter 24:28. A fierily contested scoreless 10-minute spell, with defences on top, was broken in spectacular fashion by the Brothers. James Teixeira charged down another attempted high kick by the Hoists, gathering the ball himself he made 40 m before the tiring home defence managed to bring him down. Good hands by the Brothers from the play the ball rounded off a great move with Harry Vorweg touching down on the RN right wing, 24:32. After a strong performance in defence skipper Brodie Lee Butler turned into attack, taking the ball on halfway, cutting through the Hoists midfield cover he sprinted the 50m or so almost unopposed touching down under the posts. With a straight forward conversion Rhys Joel stretched his side lead to 24:38. The last action of the game saw Skipper Butler join the attack, scoring another try and with Joel's sixth conversion of the game the Brothers were home by 24:44!

A great result, if not perfect by the Brothers and well done to the 5 players on debut. At the ‘informal’ post match Prop David Brown was given the RN MoM by the Hoists coach which was just reward for not only his performance but the RN pack as a whole who dominated throughout noting most of the Hoists points were scored by their backs.

Next up its RNRL Origin with the Easts taking on the Wests at Havant RFC on Friday 2nd May ko 1930, more detail to follow