Sidcup 3's 43 - 15 Dartfordians 3's

With Erith unable to put a side out a hastily arranged fixture saw round two of Sidcup vs Dartfordians about to take place after cup' narrowly missed out in the league fixture two weeks ago.

Unfortunately Dartfordians arrived at Crescent Farm without a full front row, luckily Odhran Dodd volunteered to prop for the away team to allow contested scrums to take place. The stage was set for the titanic battle of Odhran vs. Jorel at scrum time.

In true Sidcup RFC fashion, the lads make a slow start. Below par kicking and lack of commitment in tackling very quickly leads to a try for Darts. 0-5.

Sidcup slowly began to find their feet in the match after the first 10 minutes. The turnaround spearheaded mainly by Evan Trevett playing at open side flanker, who appeared to be everywhere at once, sending in big tackles, disrupting line outs and turning over ball.

Showing no signs of going easy of his mates, Odrhan and his new front row colleagues were giving a usually strong Sidcup scrum a serious pasting in the opening stages of the match. Despite going backwards, Cup generally managed to secure their own ball.

More possession for Dartfordians meant Harry Edwards was forced to make a great covering tackle out wide, Alex Barwick's quick work meant a turnover was won out wide around the half way line. A resulting line break by Harry Wilford was supported well by James Thomas and Evan, who both made fantastic offloads to put Wilford in under the posts to finish off his break. 7-5.

Making a habit of running passed the majority of the opposing team straight from kick offs in recent weeks is Joel Leighton, again JT runs effectively in support and Sidcup are straight back in Darts' 22. Sam Foster carries hard on his return from injury, but is unfortunately bundled into touch. In the process though Sam creamed the opposition's captain, who plays no further part in the game.

The Sidcup front row of Xander, James Fairbrass and Jorel decide to get their act together at a crucial scrum in Darts' 22 and win a penalty. Despite the good work of the front row, a shocking line out takes in a great attacking position. Some rather suspect calling of the line out by the otherwise impressive Wilford means a lost chance. When given stick from the touchline Wilford replied with: "Ones and twos are the same thing". ...Perhaps something to work on in training.

The remainder of the first half saw a period of dominance in all aspects of the game for Sidcup as it became evident the work done midweek is beginning to tell. Brilliant line breaks from both Barwick and Wilford mean two tries are scored in quick succession. 19-5.

A good carry from one of the Darts forwards shortly after the restart forces JT into making a try saving tackle near Cup's 22, the big man chopped down after attempting to run through the scrum half. Dave Gregson maintains his form of terrorising Dartfordian wingers as he makes a crunching but admittedly late tackle out wide.

More possession for Sidcup and yet another line break by Wilford means all that is required in a delicate offload into the hands of the supporting JT. Instead an very unsympathetic pass is fizzed over his head and a certain try goes begging.

Half time.

Early on in the second half George Osborne makes a great carry beating tacklers to break the line. He then has the bright idea of using the ball as a weapon to bounce off tacklers. An inevitable knock on is the result.

Determined defence on Sidcup's own try line marshalled by captain Colin '210' Cooper results in a turnover and Leighton making another break and taking the ball up the majority of the pitch deep into the opposition's 22. The attack leading to Wilford's second try of the day. 24-5.

Sidcup's pack had been failing to effectively protect their 9 for most of the game. After roughly 10 minutes of the second half the predicable outcome happened and JT was forced off with an injury after getting flattened by the pressing darts defence.

More great defence deep in Sidcup's 22 with chop tackles flying in by Cooper and co. meant another turnover was won. However utter chaos ensues as a comedy of errors takes place including a rather speculative chip kick from fly half James Hanney charged down by the upcoming Darts defence and players tripping over each other as they scramble to win the ball. The resulting line out taken by Darts' leads to a try. 24-10.

A lineout on halfway taken against the head by Wilford shortly after the restart leads to more great work from the back line and Barwick makes another break. The supporting lines by Sidcup have been top notch all day and at least three players make good offloads in the tackle as Sidcup produce some champagne rugby to put Wilford in for his hat-trick. 31-10. (That's the Jug...)

At half time Odhran and Jorel had switched sides, yet Odrhan showed no compassion for his former Darts teammates as he made a huge carry after the restart and sent defenders sailing high into the air.

Yet more great defending by Sidcup in their own 22 and another turnover is won. A quick break by new man David Osobe and he is brought down by a vicious high tackle the Darts player effectively hauling him down around the throat. Replacement scrum half Tom Deveney has the awareness to take a quick tap and go penalty and runs the entire pitch, showing great agility as he steps defenders left, right and centre. Another fantastic try. 38-10.

Another restart is taken majestically by replacement second row John Wilde, who is certainly earning his new nickname of Salmon after his recent performances.

Deep into the second half and its becoming apparent that both sides are starting to tire. Some poor defensive organisation from Sidcup, and Dartfordians putting some good phases together leads to another score . Darts kicker much like the away fixture having an absolute mare off the tee. 38-15.

Following a well placed restart by Hanney, the Wilde Salmon again leaps highest and plucks the ball from the air. Front foot ball from Sidcup as Darts struggle to cope with the final surge means Deveney has a good platform to work from. Some good hands from the Sidcup backs once again gives Osobe the chance to crash over for a try on debut as the referee blows for full time.

Final score 43-15 and a very convincing victory for Sidcup against a side they had lost to only two weeks previously.