"A very solid, experienced and well drilled Sidcup team"

A late First XV call up for Tom Brown, injuries and general unavailability from last week's already altered team meant it was somewhat inevitable that Medway's chances of playing fluent rugby were going to be very limited. This was especially the case as once again they were playing a very solid, experienced and well drilled Sidcup team. To make matters worse the Sidcup team, ably led by their wily number 8, quickly worked out what they could and could not get away with whilst the referee was being assessed. So during the game it became almost impossible for the Medway pack to control the driving mauls of their opponents as they constantly "truck and trailered" in a way that would have made Eddie Stobart proud.

Also what did not help was that after 45 seconds prop Ross Cooley pulled up lame and with replacement prop Rob Pocock stuck in traffic the scrums went uncontested for the remainder of the first half. It was hard to tell whether this aided Medway or not as a pattern began to develop to their play. There was lots of endeavour and commitment which unfortunately then led to individuals just trying too much and not being able to execute the basics well enough. When breaks were made supporting players were ignored. When there was the opportunity to clear their lines a desire to "run it out" of the 22 overtook common sense.

The half time score was 8 -15 following two good team tries from Sidcup and one breakaway try by Medway when lock Brimstead ran clear up the middle and then in the tackle off loaded the ball a clear 2 feet forwards to John Rumsey who raced away for the try. Sidcup understandably grumbled but were wise enough to just get on with the game.

The second half was more of the same, except that some of the Medway tackling was now getting tired and ineffective. It did not help when some good breaks through the Sidcup defence became personal missions to score and supporting team mates were ignored. And so it was that Sidcup continued to grind down their opponents and they cut through the Medway defence for some well executed late tries. The final score said it all as Medway were turned over on the half way line and the Sidcup scrum half kicked deep and not a Medway player was to be seen within 30 yards of the ball . The two chasing Sidcup players agreed who was getting the ball and the icing was firmly put on the cake for a fine win for the visitors.

Despite the obvious disappointment of defeat in a very winable game, one positive remains the rallying call answered by Medway's young Spartans, eight of whom played today. With a commitment to training and more numbers it might just be possible to rebuild the Extras around them and ease our current injury woes.

E.I.Addio - your man on the touchline wondering who those young lads are on the flank and in the backs and what are their names?