Sidcup win at Dover-at last!!

DOVER 24 PTS SIDCUP 25 PTS

Sidcup took the words Descartes might have said, “it is better to play badly and win than play well and lose” to heart at the Crabble Ground on Saturday when they beat Dover by a goal and 6 penalty goals to 3 tries and 3 penalty goals.

In recent years, Sidcup have had little success against the East Kent side who, like the visitors were unbeaten. A strong wind blowing more or less down the well grassed pitch pre-match rain gave food to the thought of a game with more mistakes than usual and so it proved.

The game began inauspiciously for the visitors, playing with wind and slope, as the kick-off went directly into touch. Matters got worse when they were under pressure in the first scrum and Dover stole the first line-out. It came as no surprise when Dover opened the scoring. A chip through by Greg Phillips bounced favourably for the chasers and following a couple of passes, Sam McNamara scored in the corner.

It took Sidcup over a quarter of an hour to mount their first attack but a driving maul, which initially had looked likely to cross the line split and Mike Elliott found himself isolated. However, shortly after, Dover were penalized at a ruck on halfway and Jim Hardy kicked a penalty. Five minutes later another ruck offence presented Hardy with a much easier kick to enable the visitors to take the lead. Gradually Sidcup were getting into the game: aggressive defence by Callum Thomson and Richard Day preventing the Dover mid-field making much headway. Another penalty by Hardy extended the lead but, within a couple of minutes, Phillips had replied for Dover.

Both sides were incurring the wrath of the referee at the breakdown and, although Phillips kicked a further penalty for Dover, Hardy replied with two for the visitors. Given the wind and slope, it looked unlikely that a four point lead at the interval would be sufficient but, on the stroke of half-time, a complete miss kick just inside the Sidcup half bounced into Day’s hands. And he outpaced the cover to score in the corner. Hardy kicked an excellent conversion.

Dover began the second half strongly. From a penalty kick to the corner, a driving maul ran over the line. The Sidcup lead was further reduced when, following a penalty near halfway, the referee took exception to the advice he was offered and moved the kick within easier range for Phillips. Things got worse when Colin Cooper was sent to the cooler for a ruck offence and Dover used their numerical advantage at the next scrum to send Mark Beaumont over in the corner.

Sidcup were now two points behind with half an hour to go and it seemed that it was unlikely that they would even get a losing bonus point. Dover had the better of the scrum, were bossing the breakdown and were much more alert when the ball went loose. However Sidcup began to knuckle down to their task. They began to assert themselves in the scrum and to dominate possession and territory. Hardy hit the post from half-way and a couple of half chances went begging. With just over ten minutes left, Dover were penalized for a high tackle. Although it was 45yards out and into the wind, Hardy made no mistake and the visitors were back in the lead.

There was time for Dover to return to the attack and Sidcup did really well to defend a number of rucks on their line, eventually winning a penalty to relieve the pressure and return to the attack. However, with the referee calling “last play”, a series of penalties took Dover into the Sidcup half where Phillips had a final kick to win the game. A good attempt missed and the game was over.

Dover will feel that they ought to have won but Sidcup showed a lot of character to stick at it when playing badly and they did improve as the game went on. Callum Thomson and Richard Day defended resolutely and ran strongly and Jamie Cutler and Richard Clarke dealt well with retreating ball until the forwards started to get on top. Nick Gilbert came on as replacement and played very well, running with determination. However the hero of the hour was Jim Hardy whose kicks kept Sidcup in the game against the odds and who kept his composure when he had the opportunity to win the game.

This Saturday, Guernsey are the visitors to Crescent Farm. The two clubs have not met before at 1st XV level before but there is a rumour that the Vets have toured Guernsey in the past although how a tour can take place on an island with only one rugby club is a mystery. Whether the global exposure Sidcup have had has any impact on the attendance remains to be seen. Your Correspondent having risen early to support Georgia (every Scotsman’s second team for the day) was delighted to see a cross of St George with “Sidcup RFC” written on it. Check it out-it is after 12 minutes, in the front row on halfway for those who have kept the recording of the match.