Sat 22 Sep: Wimbledon 15 - Sidcup 22

After a short delay due to the referee being stuck in traffic, the game kicked off at 3.15pm and from the start it could be seen that the Sidcup scrum was to be dominant. In particular the front row of Lewis Anderson, Tom England and Sam Carmen were going to give their opposites a difficult afternoon.

Sidcup forced a couple of early chances with their large pack but they were squandered by bad decision making and it was not until the 18th minute that they got it right. Matt Ody, continuing in the 10 jersy found touch in the Wimbledon 22 from a penalty and with the line out won a push over try was scored by No. 8 Colin Cooper. The conversion was missed from wide out but Sidcup led 5-0.

From the restart a high kick was excellently taken by Jamie Cutler who fed Taylor (who?) who in turn off-loaded to Steven Evans. With 30 meters gained Evans passed to the supporting centre Dickie Day who headed for the corner. The line was beckoning only for Day to be felled by a tackle around the neck, a penalty was awarded but no further action taken. Sidcup opted for a 5 metre scrum but the ball was knocked on and another chance went begging.

In the 22nd minutes the Wimbledon No 7 found himself behind the posts for 10 minutes as the pressure on his forwards was mounting and within two minutes he was kept company by his No 4 so the home team were now down to thirteen. It only took Sidcup until the 26th minute to take advantage and again they pushed over for another Cooper try, this time Ody converted and the score was 12-0.

On the half hour flanker Nick Gilbert found himself offside and Wimbledon had a penalty of their own. A good kick to touch and a successful line out take saw the ball shipped to the backs eventually finding it's way to the No 10 who crossed. The away support could not believe the defence had been breached with a two man advantage, the conversion was missed, 12-5.

Things only got worse for Sidcup with the return of the two sinners and in the 37th minute from their own rolling maul Wimbledon crossed and this time with the extras added levelled for the half time score to be 12-12. All Sidcup's early dominance appeared to be wasted.

Some aimless kicking at the beginning of the second period resulted in a clearance from Sidcup which was fielded by the Wimbledon backs. However, a brilliant chase from winger Lee Woollard and following tackle on the ball carrier earned his side a penalty and again touch was found near to the Wimbledon 22. The following catch and drive was just held up but Sidcup had won the put in at the resultant scrum. From the scrum Sidcup were adjudged to go over the top and a penalty had been conceded on the try line and another opportunity spurned.

The second half stalemate was then broken by the visitors as, from one of two stolen lineouts, Ody saw space and chipped ahead. He was obstructed on trying to retrieve his kick and a penalty was awarded. Dissent from Wimbledon cost them 10 metres and made the kick a lot earier and Ody obliged, 15-12 to Sidcup.

Wimbledon's discipline was being brought into question and their player coach and hooker was adjuded by the refree to be guilty of going over the top and he found himself in the bin, a harsh decision to many on lookers. Touch was missed from the penalty but during the next phase of play the Wimbledon No 1 this time illegally played the ball when entering from the side and Wimbledon were down to thirteen again. It seams they get a bit lonely sitting behind the posts on their own!

In a half that was full of penalties, Wimbledon twice more talked themselves into trouble conceding 10 metre once and having a scrum upgraded to a penalty against them the next time. From this the ball was moved to Day and with good vision he chipped into centre field where his 'other half' Ricahrd Clarke had cut in from his wing. He picked up and ran in under the posts and with Ody slotting Sidcup led 22-12. There was just enough time for Wimbledon, now back to their full quota, to kick a penalty and ensure a losing bonus point was gained with the game ending in a 22-15 victory to the visitors, with 4 league points earned.

This Saturday the 1st XV entertain early pace setters East Grinstead at Crescent Farm and will be trying to stop their unbeaten start to the campaign, but a very difficult hurdle awaits them. kick off is 3pm.

Team: Amura, Woollard, Day, Evans P, Harris (Clarke), Ody, Cutler, Anderson, England, Carmen, Mizen, Thomas, Gilbert (Driscoll), Evans S, Cooper

Otto - 25 Sep 12