Read the match report below, or open up the attached PDF to read in technicolour. Also look at Media / Abums to enjoy the match photos from Hammersmith on Saturday.

Hammersmith & Fulham RFC 20 - CS Stags 1863 24

Match Report 10.01.26

The CS Stags started 2026 with a good bonus point win. Travelling a short distance across west London to Hurlingham Park, on a cold grey January afternoon, the club renewed its neighbourly rivalry with Hammersmith & Fulham RFC.

A strong start from both sides saw quite a frantic first twenty minutes. Both teams came close to scoring, with the strong Stags defence holding the Hammers up on the line twice. Eventually, one of the Stags attack came together, and it was Luke Trigg playing centre today, who cut a good line for the opening score on 21 minutes. David Wilkinson converted from left of the posts, 0-7 to the Stags. Ten minutes later winger Jack Gregson collected on the left after another Stags attack, and powered himself over the line for the second try. Unconverted, score now 0-12. A determined Hammers side hit back with a try and conversion on the 36 minute-mark. The half ended Stags 7-12 up, but with a big setback as, seeing Kain Rix at centre take a bad elbow injury, and being carted off to A&E. We all wish Kain a good and strong recovery.

Stags made a quick start to the second half with number eight Bertie Watson finishing off a good break by scrum half Alex Crocker, and his legs carrying him to the line after a determined long sprint with ball in hand. Try number three for Stags was not converted, and took the score to 7-17. Hammers kept plugging, and converted a penalty in front of the posts to claw three points back to a converted score margin, 10-17. Another Stags attack on 55 minutes saw the fourth try and bonus point, Bertie Watson last man up from the Hammers line with the ball, after a driving maul. David Wlkinson converted, and the score now stood at 10-24 to Stags.

The crowd were envisaging some more Stags scores for the last twenty five minutes to widen the gap. Instead, it was Hammers, with some dogged interceptions and opportunistic counter attacks that scored twice in remaining time, 63 and 77 minute-marks, both tries unconverted. Hammers showed a determined attitude and some good play, that belies their foot of the league table position. However, Stags held on to the end for the 20-24 victory.

In the end a very good bonus point win for CS Stags. Our third win in succession, the five points taking us up to 4th place in the league table, leap frogging Old Alleynians on a better +/- points scored margin.

Tries: 20 points (x4) – Luke Trigg, Jack Gregson, Bertie Watson (x2)
Conversions: 4 points (x2) – David Wilkinson
Penalty: Nil.

The CS Staghounds 2nd XV await next Saturday to start the revised “Stage 2” of their Gauchos ROC London Shield campaign. However, since a game against London Welsh Druids (II’s) was pre-booked from the remnants of the initial Stage 2 fixture, the game was played at Kings House yesterday as a friendly fixture, to give both teams some match practice.

The first half ended 7-15, with a final score of 19-47 to the Welsh. From all reports this was a flattering score to the opposition, that didn’t reflect a much closer contested game, with the Welsh also testing out quite a few of their first team players returning from injury. So well done Staghounds, glad they got a good run out, and we wish them all the best for their forthcoming Stage 2 Gauchos ROC London Shield league campaign.

League games for next weekend, Saturday 17th January 2026: CS Stags 1863 1st XV at home to Bracknell RFC at Kings House Sports Ground, Chiswick W4 2SP, and CS Staghounds 2nd XV away to Richmond Vikings (2nd XV) at The Athletic Ground, Twickenham Road, Richmond TW9 2SF.

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