Great Start From Sidcup 2’s

On a hot sticky day down in Gravesend the Sidcup 2nd team started their quest for league glory with a friendly squad game against local team Old Gravesendians. After a long walk through woodland the team finally arrived at Gravesend Grammar schools pitches where the game was to be played. The game consisted of four 20 minute quarters giving the seasoned coaches Mark Watson & Scott McLean a good opportunity to look at all players in the 22 man Squad.
Sidcup started with a bang, a 50metre run from Ashton Dean and some interplay from forwards and backs ended with a touchdown from scrumhalf Ryan Hudson, flyhalf Stuart 'bootsy' Hill slotted the conversion giving Sidcup an early 7-0 lead. Almost straight from the restart more interplay from the whole team, put back row James Lowe over for try number two, another kick from Bootsy and Sidcup in a commanding 14-0 lead.
After the initial frantic start the match became a bit stale with both teams showing strong defence but neither team really having any clear attacking chances. There was some great tackling and ball stealing by back rows Lowe, Dan Wakefield & new boy 'Sonny' Bill Williams with Louis Keely making some darting through the Gravesendians weak defence.
Sidcup grew stronger as the match went on with Hooker Sam Perry hitting his target numerous times in the lineouts and the front five of Team Captain Ian Wilson, Perry & Academy Rookie Harrison Keeley, Donal Nevin & Colin Cooper commanding in the scrums.
It took till the end of the second quarter for the stalemate to be broken. A Graves lineout on half way is stolen by Sidcup quick hands by the backs and a lovely final pass from veteran Stevie Amurah puts wing Ashton Dean in the corner, the conversion is missed and Sidcup go into half time with a 19-0 lead. The second half of the match started slowly. Both teams defended well with Sidcup having the upper hand in attack. Lovely soft hands from centre Alex Ure and half breaks from Charlie Pooley & Dave Harris lead to a charged down kick on Graves 10metre line a Sidcup lineout and Back Row Colin Orford crosses the line. Conversion kicked and Sidcup lead 26-0. Some more super tackling from Sidcup’s back row especially Freddie Wotton on a giant of a man leads to Ashton Dean scoring he’s second try. Conversion missed and Sidcup lead 31-0.
The rest of the match sees a string of scrums, lineouts and unfortunately lots of penalties from both sides. Whistle blown and Sidcup win 31-0. A great start to the season for all involved and it certainly makes the job of selection for next week’s league game against Dover II’s a tough job for Mark & Scott.

Good Luck For The Rest Of The Season.