BASINGSTOKE 21 PTS SIDCUP 22 PTS

the match at Basingstoke on Saturday which Sidcup won by 2 goals, a try and a penalty goal to 3 goals.

Despite the assertion in the programme that this was the first league fixture between the two clubs, your Correspondent is fairly certain that they have met three times before (twice in 2008-2009 and once in the early 1990s) with Basingstoke being the victors on each occasion. The afternoon was sunny and the Basingstoke pitch in excellent condition, although a bit exposed to the strong breeze. It still rankles a bit to make a round trip of 150 miles to watch a level 6 rugby match and be charged £5 to get in; especially when most would buy a programme voluntarily anyway.

Sidcup were given first use of a strong wind and the tone for the half was set in the first few minutes when they conceded two early penalties. Basingstoke were moving the ball confidently and it was against the run of play when Sidcup were gifted a try after five minutes. Basingstoke, trying to run the ball out of defence, attempted a chip over Gareth McRae but only succeeded in kicking the ball into his hands and the winger raced in unopposed from fifty yards. Jim Hardy converted from under the posts- although the kick became more difficult as the ball blew off the tee as he ran up. Showing commendable quickness of thought, he picked the ball up and drop kicked the conversion. The significance of this only became clear much later in the game.

The rest of the half belonged to Basingstoke. Playing into the wind, they put Sidcup under constant pressure. The ball was recycled quickly, backs and forwards came onto the ball with pace and into space and the support play was excellent. Wingers Freddie Gleadowe and Gareth Kelly caused problems down the flanks and the forwards were putting the visitors under huge pressure in the scrum. Only in the line-out were Sidcup getting any sort of parity. Penalties were being conceded in quantities that were exercising Mr Gregory; eventually his patience was exhausted and Callum Thomson was sent to the cooler. Four minutes later he was followed into detention by Jamie Cutler for what was, for an amateur player, a very professional foul.

Basingstoke took full advantage of their numerical advantage during the binning period, scoring tries through Kelly and Gleadowe- both from excellent pieces of play. Andrew Humberstone, the league’s leading scorer, converted both with excellent kicks although the difficulty of the wind was such that he had earlier missed a couple of kickable penalties. Sidcup had a further narrow escape as Gleadowe lost the ball in the act of scoring but this time the damage was only postponed as Basingstoke disrupted the Sidcup scrum and Andy Hore forced his way over leaving Humberstone an easy kick.

Having had the advantage of the elements, Sidcup reached half-time fourteen points down. It was the worst half they have endured this season and Basingstoke had played with such authority that, now they had use of the wind, the only doubt seemed to be how many the visitors would lose by. Sidcup looked very lonely on the pitch at half-time as Basingstoke and the referee disappeared (somewhere). Messers Fussell, Ubee, Pinder and Elliott clearly had a lot of exhorting to do.

The opening minutes of the second half were inconclusive but Sidcup were encouraged that they had more possession and that Basingstoke attacks were being held more resolutely. Basingstoke conceded a couple of penalties and Sidcup were able to get into position for attacking line-outs. A driving maul looked as though it was going to be stopped short but the point of attack was altered and Julian Poff touched down. Hardy converted with a superb kick from the touchline into the wind.

Nick Gilbert, who had battled very well in the first half was replaced by Steven Evans and the extra line-out option he provided made a real difference. Sidcup kept the ball and whereas Basingstoke dictated how the game would be played in the first half, it was now Sidcup’s turn. Despite the wind they camped in Basingstoke territory. Richard Day went close before another Evans line-out take and driving maul led to Jon Cosh scoring. Although Hardy’s kick from touch missed, Sidcup were now within a penalty of the lead. Basingstoke were now giving up penalties and it was the turn of Jamie Fish and then Neil Young to have ten minute breathers.

The Sidcup pack were battering at the home line but the defence was resolute, if stretched. The pressure was always likely to tell and eventually Basingstoke gave up a kickable penalty. Although on such a day there were no easy kicks, Hardy made no mistake and, with ten minutes left, Sidcup had a lead that had looked beyond them at half-time. Basingstoke gained possession in the Sidcup half for the first time in ages but the defence was tigerish and the match finished with Sidcup once more on the attack.

It had been a remarkable match between two sides of contrasting styles and strengths. Despite a strong wind, the side having the advantage only managed one score with the elements in their favour. Basingstoke were understandably disappointed not to have made better use of the conditions but Sidcup’s performance in the second half was one of immense character and a tribute to teamwork. The journey home looked like being exceptionally pleasant until your Correspondent was ensnared in a traffic jam on the M25 which lasted pretty much the length of a Gary Moore CD on the car stereo.

Usually your Correspondent highlights a few individual contributions at the end of his report although he is aware that, by mentioning some, he is not mentioning others. On this occasion however, it was such a collective effort that it seems more appropriate simply to list the side that really snatch “victory from the jaws of defeat”.

Jim Hardy; Gareth McRae, Richard Day, Callum Thomson, Lee Woollard; Jamie Cutler, Richard Clarke: Alex Isaacs, Jon Cosh (rep Iain Wilson), Sam Carmen, Danny Mizen, Colin Cooper, Mike Elliott, Julian Poff, Nick Gilbert (rep Steven Evans). Rep not used Richard Evans.