Saturday 18th February Blackheath 3’s Vs Sidcup 2’s

(Written by Brunty's Girlfriend)

There is a sense of responsibility for all the players in this Sidcup team as not one team member wants to be in that team that loses to anyone whether it is a ‘friendly’, league or a Cup game.

With the sun just shining through the clouds as kick off ensured Sidcup was pumped and definitely ready to continue their winning streak! With a bench weighing around 65 stone consisting of just 4 players. But the shear experience from these 4 players was noticeable with well over 500 1st team caps combined.

With Sidcup kicking off the pressure was applied to Blackheath’s pack with a superb kick and chase, Sidcup were patient around the breakdown and didn’t let the notion of losing get to them. With some good rucking and strong running lines Sidcup were over the try line within 5 minutes via the silky moves of Alex Ure. Up steps Seb now quoting himself as ‘the best kicker at Sidcup RFC’ he slotted over his first shot at the posts. Within the next 5 minutes Blackheath had pulled a try back with an interception and break away with the conversion good. Sidcup players were now aware this was a not a simple day at the office unless they worked hard.

The next 10-15 minutes of play were very disjointed, Sidcup were required to secure the ball more aggressively at the breakdown and keep running hard at the already puffing Blackheath pack. Captain Coops was forever rallying the troops with words of encouragement and this proved vital as the running lines of Sidcup backs (noticeably Chris Neal) were then seen tearing up the Blackheath’s defence; obviously Seb converted. The Sidcup pack had been dominating at the scrum time and now with being only 5M out the opportunity to enforce their dominance was set, the pack set about this challenge in ferocious fashion and cries for ‘let’s go for a walk lads’ had set the tone. None the less, the Sidcup pack won the ball at the scrum and went for a trundle giving the ref no option but to award a penalty try as the Blackheath pack illegally brought the Sidcup pack to a halt. Seb obviously converted and the score line at half time was 21-7.

During the half time team talk the coaches (Scotty and Miz) offered some valuable advice. What stood out to most of us was the penalty count for being offside at the breakdown - it was too high. We were told to give a yard!!! It was also apparent that when we made significant line breaks the option to off load was not available as some were admiring the play rather than keeping up. All the lads took this positive feedback on board and now a challenge was set.
Sidcup knew they had to be relentless and unforgiving in the second half. We took this opportunity of another 40 minutes of rugby to implement what had been said at half time.

With some good phase play and strong running from the front 5 Sidcup were again in a position to unleash their backs with some nice offloads and strong running lines - Chris Neal went over for his second of the day. Yes, Seb converted.
Sidcup were in no mood to take their foot off the pedal and kept up the pace with hard running lines and better supporting play for the ball carrier, some more tries were on their way. Next to cross the line was Charlie playing his first game for the 2’s, this made up for his blatant attempt to not get a try from 5m out in the first half where the 6ft 3in man was stopped by a midget.
Yes Seb converted and got the next try and conversion.

On steps Jardy and Scotty to bring on some experience to demolish the Blackheath squad further.
Blackheath however, found a little spring in their step and decided to take it to the Sidcup side. I would like to say that Sidcup met this with some ferociousness but what ended up happening was 2 penalties being given away by coach Scotty for offside at the ruck! We all looked at him and thought of the half time team talk offering invaluable advice of taking a yard around at the breakdown. But hey we are mere mortals.

Blackheath manage to force their way over from a quick tap penalty 5M out, the conversion was missed but if anything this was unacceptable and all the players knew this was the case. With ten minutes left of the game, Sidcup were so angered that calls for two more tries could be heard from players rallying one another and Captain Coops and Pip delivered two more tries - yes Seb converted both. Such is the confidence of the man I visibly saw him gesture to Jim Hardy to go away.

What I can say from this game is that whoever plays for Sidcup 2’s are fully aware of the target that is on their backs, the 2’s do not wish to end their winning streak and it’s going to take some performance in stopping them achieve this target.

Notable performances go to Dave, Chris Neal, Seb.

Signing off the Worst Brunt (Brunty's GF)