AgFab – Dominant Performance from Sidcup Hooker Secures Victory

Author: Coshy Hissbourne

With the season’s holidays coming to an end, it was back to business for Sidcup rugby club as they continued their journey on this extraordinary season. With that said, all eyes fell on the 2 xv as they ventured away to a strong Alleynians outfit who had caused them some real issues in the season’s first encounter, setting up what would surely be a tight affair. However, all joking aside there was cause for some serious concern amongst the players and the coaching staff. That being had Joe “slim shady” Brady shaken it up just a little too much?

The occasion saw on paper, arguably the strongest 2xv team the club had ever witnessed with the addition of high calibre players to the back division such as Max O’Leary and Jim Hardy. The involvement of an increasingly dominant Nick Agbo (much to the distress of Charlie “not as good as Westy” Hopkins) and Freddie Ruff Ruff Ruff in the pack. Finally the day was topped off with the long awaited return of the better Evans Steve Evans, and playing his first game back since a kankle operation Alexander Fatkins returned to strengthen the Sidcup bench.

There had been a few hot topics of discussion over the Christmas break; would J.T pursue his new love interest in Louis Keeley’s cousin? Did Connor Cooper ever make it off the bus? Just how terrified were opposing defences of Sidcup’s fire? But the question that caused the most food for thought was how many yellow cards would we be on the receiving end of with these new tackle laws?
The confident lesser Evans Pip Evans went all in with a guess of 5 yellows in one match, a guess that was deemed jovial amongst peers, almost inconceivable with the Keith Forward Chopping clinic well and truly imbedded into training sessions. But only time would tell.

The fixture started with the introduction of a well-received new tradition as Coach Mizen went Facebook live to show the Sidcup faithful their warriors taking to the pitch and with that, the game was underway.

As projected there was an early battle for dominance amongst both sets of players and it was becoming increasingly evident that this would be no walk in the park for either team. However, it was only a matter of time before the amounted pressure on both sides started to show and as expected one team had to buckle. This came in the shape of yellow card to the OA’s centre for a highly controversial deliberate knock on rewarding him with 10 minutes in the bin (much to the joy of the lesser Evans Pip Evans). Sidcup were aware that they had to take advantage of the weakened OA’s team and that they did. A marauding run from Max O’Leary got his team onto the front foot and after a swift clearance at the ruck the ball found its way to his former 1xv counterpart Jim Hardy who with a strong fend and unexpected turn of pace broke through the defence and made his way over the try line. Jim did manage to successfully block the charitable sack tap from Alex urghhhh but unfortunately couldn’t add the extras, score stayed at 5-0.

As much as Sidcup pursued opportunities to increase their lead, their conquests were in fact in vain. The next try was awarded the other way as Alleynians executed a well worked backs move and displayed competent hands to push their way over in the far corner, conversion hooked by fan favourite Rio, scores tied at 5-5. To add to Sidcup’s woes Coshy Osborn was awarded an incredibly unjust yellow card for what was a perfectly legal clearance at the ruck as confirmed by Coach Jones at the following training session. Half time score remained 5-5 with Sidcup down to 14 men.

The second half consisted of much of the same with both teams fighting to gain the upper hand, as pushing on with the point scoring was becoming increasingly more difficult. It seemed that Jim Hardy who usually performs a faultless kicking display was enjoying the freedom and joué that two’s rugby brings, so much so that he sabotaged his own kicking effort to show selection committee that he wanted to stay apart of this fine twos outfit. Sidcup’s problems were then compounded by the sin binning of not one but two players both within minutes of each other, edging ever closer to the outrageous guess made earlier that morning. The unfortunate recipients of the yellow cards were Nick Giblet (who up to then had put in a sublime defensive performance) and the Average Evans Dan Evans leaving Sidcup without their key playmaker. Giblet awarded his yellow card for understandably mistaking the fly half’s head for the ball as he attempted to challenge a 50-50 fumble with a Vinnie Jones esq punt. And Average Evans Dan Evans falling victim to the new high tackle law as he went to halt an already falling OA’s fly half, coincidently the same player worthy of a Golden Globe award for his part played in the yellow card just moments before.

This signalled the start of what can only be described as a heroic defence performance from a severely disadvantaged Sidcup team. It also led to the much welcomed introduction of the better Evans Steve Evans and Alexander Fatkins. Both players making an immediate impact with some powerful carries and leading the defensive charge alongside the dog-like Chris Awful and a beastly Nick Agbo, whose National league experience was really starting to show. Remarkably the newly energised Sidcup side managed to walk away from the sin bin period having actually scored 3 points to match a converted OA’s penalty, as Jim Hardy (much against his desire to stay in the twos) slotted a penalty from in front with roughly 15 to play. Scores tied at 8-8.

There was a serious air of tension as each player recalled the words drummed into their ears by Captain Cooper and 3 hairs Day prior to kick off that “you do not want to be the team that loses the streak”. Brought with that was a feeling of hunger and desire to put bodies on the line for eachother as the words “white wall” incessantly echoed around the away turf. There was an understanding between both teams that realistically with limited time remaining that the next score would be the decider, and that it was. Throughout the game there was frustration due to the lack of phase play put together but when it matter a fatiguing Sidcup side pulled it out the bag. After some fundamental carries from the pack and some clinical skills from the back-line Jim Hardy again found himself 5 metres out, this time held short and a maul was formed. Support soon arrived and the ball found its way to the back in the shape of Coshy who went over and dotted down for the try, some saying almost too naturally. Successful Charity Sack tap from numerous players, conversion missed. Minutes later a turnover from Captain Cooper meant the ball could be kicked out of play confirming the Sidcup win.
Although there would definitely be some work ons from the game, there could be no questioning the tenacity and desire shown by a relieved Sidcup side as they continue to pursue on this journey of greatness. Next challenge Medway at home on the 14th of January, come down and be a part of the dream.

#Bradysstillshaking #Whereslouiscousin? #YAMS

Coshy Hissborn