Sidcup 13s v the Bulls..

After 2 weeks of frost and rain we finally have a game on , Aylseford Bulls annual visit to crescent farm is very welcome break from the cold snap as the temperatures raise slightly and the sun pokes through the clouds.
Sidcup have their full back line available again after some absentees of late and most notable seeing Zak Jones return to his favoured position in the centres. But good news is always followed hand in hand with bad as we miss the influential back row pairing of Harrison and Sol in the pack but give a well earned debut to Joel in the front row and see Will Beck return from injury.
Aylseford request an A and B game so we decide to go with 3 thirds, Sidcup chose to play with the pairings and line up to see how different combinations go but make sure everyone plays.
We start with Levi on the wing for his first start of the season, Jack at blind side for the first sortie in the back row and Gus at second row. It’s a familiar looking back line so we should play well together but let’s see, sidcup start the game and exert the pressure from the start, after winning the ball in loose play and switching the ball left and right sidcup breaks under the posts for the first try by Dan master. Sidcup settle into a good rhythm and things look good as sidcup score again but the Aylseford pack start to exert there experience and size on the sidcup pack in the loose with a good scrum and strong running from the Aylseford boys with their no 8 causing the sidcup side a few problems with his strong and direct running and the first third finishes 12-0 , for the second third Sidcup make wholesale changes in the back line and front row with some new and old players trying new positions. This gives the Aylseford side some hope as the changes throw sidcup a few curved balls as they struggle with the new line up and Aylseford score 2 tries to close the gap to 17-10 although Sam, Zak and Luke play havoc through he centres.
The last section of the game sees another change in the team, one was forced due to Gus gunn being injured in the scrum seeing his retire with a neck injury (he is ok now) with Sam Connelly now playing at fly half, Dan at inside, Luke regular at outside things start to open up Zak moves into 8 for his first foray into the pack this year?? Something I don’t see happening too much but he can play anywhere. The game starts and with our strong back line its not long before things start to go Sidcup way again, with some noticeable breaks through Luke and josh scoring but Luke’s pace and size causing the biggest problems for Aylseford , sidcup finish 49-10 with dan masters finding some really good conversion kicks but the score line flattered the performance. Well done Aylseford who never gave up the chase.
Lastly well played the sidcup debutants who all performed well, welcome back to Luke scoring 4 tries, but man of the match today was Zak Jones for a outstanding performance even though he missed a sitter.
Next week is the last session before Christmas so let have a good one and a bit of fun after…
See you then.
Porky