Sidcup U15s 28 vs. Aylesford Bulls A/B U15s 12

After some recent poor weather and match cancellations it was good for the lads to be back in action, though faced with the always difficult task of a match against one of Kent’s best U15 teams, Aylesford Bulls.

Both sides began the game with their First XV and from the kick off Sidcup began as they have all season pressuring their opponents and closing down space quickly. The visitors though had strong defence and ground was not easy to gain.

The first opportunity came when the Bulls conceded a penalty about 30 metres out and Ben Stock lined up for a chance of 3 points which was unfortunately missed and the score remained level.
The game continued to be fought out in the middle third of the pitch with the home side holding their own against a very strong and organised outfit.

Sidcup almost opened the scoring after some pressure near the Aylesford line and a strong scrum caused a visiting coach to praise our lads as “the first time the Bulls scrum had been moved backwards all season”. As the defence attempted to kick clear the ball looped up and was well taken by Stephen Orford who almost got in but the defence held well and the opportunity passed by.

Aylesford began to get more into the game and gained ground using strong forward play and beginning to dominate in the scrum, of which there were many due to big tackles and slippery ball.
A good break forward was made by the Bulls but a trademark Ryan Livermore tackle saw the winger into touch in the Sidcup 22. From the line out the ball was stolen by Aylesford
and after a series of pick and goes the home defence was breached as the ball was touched down near the right corner. The conversion went close but the score remained 0-5.

As the Bulls attacked again a strong tackle saw the ball knocked on and Sidcup seemed to have gained the advantage by being awarded the scrum. However, more evidence of the power of Aylesford’s forwards was displayed as the ball was won against the head and 3 dummy runs from centres and wing allowed a score almost un-tackled in the left corner. A great conversion sailed over to give Aylesford a 0-12 lead at half time.

The second half saw the visiting team make a mass of changes to allow their Second XV to gain some valuable game time.

These changes saw a complete change in the match as Sidcup dominated from the opening minutes. As the ball broke out at the Bulls 10m line the ever impressive Laurence Cooper picked up and with a good hand off made space and ran in down the right wing, scoring under the posts to give Ben an easy conversion to close the gap to 7-12.

The home side were soon in the lead as a kick forward into the 22 was chased down by Kieran Moore and as he tackled the defender the ball was carried over the line to win a 5m scrum. With the main Bulls pack off the pitch the scrum became dominated by Sidcup as they won the ball and fly half Sam Leek broke through to score near the uprights. Another simple kick made it 14-12 and the win was in sight.

The score could have increased shortly after when a kicked clearance was caught by replacement hooker James Large who outsprinted most of the defence and as thought of a glorious try entered everyone’s heads a fantastic saving tackle from the full back saved the day for the Bulls.

Ben Stock then broke away from his position as stand in Scrum Half and with a look of fear on his face, managed to just outpace the chasing defenders to make it to the corner, then cut in to leave himself an easy kick to make it 21-12.
Due to some injuries a few players from the Bulls First XV were also on the pitch but by now the result was not in doubt and Sidcup made a final score as Connor Potter forced his way over after some pressure near the goal line.
Ben’s most difficult kick of the day flew over to make it 28-12.

The Bull’s did not let their heads go down and full credit to them as they got into the game and began to spend time in the Sidcup 22. A chance did come when a penalty was awarded but the chance was wasted and Sidcup defended well to keep the attackers at bay and kick clear after turning the ball over near the line.

The referee, who himself had a very good game earning praise from both sets of coaches/parents blew the whistle to end a very interesting and entertaining game. A game which allowed both team to take a part of the spoils in different ways.

A Man of the Match award for Ben Stock after playing well at both 8 & 9 and leading well. Fantastic second half performances from James Large and Ben Williams plus the usual aggression and effort from Callum Morton and Connor Potter.

The match showed us a couple of things...

Firstly the improvement of the lads from last year is almost beyond recognition. Whilst the Bulls First XV did lead 12-0 at half time the half had been evenly contested with the main difference being the set piece, a massive difference from the 49-0 thrashing we received last season.

Secondly that the involvement and progression of players at this age should always be paramount. This was never clearer displayed than by Darren and the other Bulls coaches as despite the overall score swinging in Sidcup’s favour the Bulls continued with their predominantly Second XV in the second half. Coaches with more interest in a friendly result than the players themselves would have just taken the lads off or not played them at all. Great respect to the Bulls coaches for this inclusive attitude!!!

So the New Year will arrive with our lads still on the up and an away visit to Whitstable to look forward to next up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

KH