Chobham (wind) swept away in the 2nd half!

With Sidcup playing against the wind in the first half, the first 20 mins saw the two teams trade possession and penalties with no score, Sidcup losing centre Ben Ibrahim to injury being replaced by Lee Woollard. With half an hour gone the two sides No 10s had traded penalties, with Chobhams's Alex Seers and Sidcup's George Montgomery both bring successful and with Seers kicking two more penalties by half time, one from the halfway line, Chobham led 9-3, but would a six point lead gained playing with the elements be enough?

The second half began with Sidcup gaining a penalty which instead of kicking for points the kick was put into touch deep in the Chobham 22m. The lineout was won yet Chobham conceded another penalty. Not to be deterred Sidcup again kicked to touch, won the lineout and hooker Steve Duffus drove over at the back of the rolling maul, Montgomery converted for Sidcup to lead for the first time 10-9. Prop Tom Page received a bang to the head in the lead up to the try and was replaced by Danny Mizen.

Within 5 mins Sidcup had increased their lead with another score. The ball was passed through the backs and with full-back James Hardy joining the attacking line, he broke through the gap created, drew his defender and slipped the pass to winger Ashton Dean who ran in to score near the posts for his first 1stXV try. The Chobham No14 pushed Dean as he scored and referee Mr Miller told the Chobham skipper that the game would restart with a Sidcup penalty on halfway, Montgomery converted, the score was now 17-9 and indeed Sidcup had the restart.

Sidcup kicked to the Chobham 22m again, keeping the visitors under relentless pressure and to be honest this was the story of the rest of the half. Good tactical kicking and use of the conditions kept Chobham camped in their own half with only a rare venture forward. The penalty count in the game was high and both teams could have received a card after numerous warnings from Mr Miller yet it was Mike Elliott, wearing the Sidcup No7 shirt and keeping his injured skipper Peter Grayson proud, who took one for the team and received the only yellow with a couple of minutes left. Final Score Sidcup 17 - 9 Chobham.

This week the team play their last match before Christmas at local rivals Beckenham, looking to make amends for the home defeat at the beginning of the season; all support would be welcome.

Team: Page (Mizen), Duffus, Carmen, Lowe, Cooper, Eiffert, Elliott, S Evans (capt), Cutler, Montgomery, Dean, Ibrahim (Woollard), Thomson, Day, Hardy, Unused sub Cryer.

Otto - 19 Dec 13