Sidcup U13's 22 - Cranbrook 17

Sidcup U13’s secured a hard fought away victory against Cranbrook on Sunday.

It was pleasing to see that the boys did not let an early start on Sunday together with a pitch that in horse racing terminology would definitely have been ‘heavy going’ stop them from digging deep for an excellent win against a large and committed Cranbrook team. To enable the whole squad to get decent game time the coaches agreed to split the match into three twenty minute periods and events unfolded as follows.

Period 1

Cranbrook hit the ground running and Sidcup conceded our customary early score. We were lucky not to concede more points with Cranbrook camped on our line and with Sidcup failing to clear their lines for any significant period of time. However, hold out we did with several last ditch tackles being made and to their credit the scrum whilst creaking remaining serviceable. Some excellent takes in the lineout by Snood (who continues to impress) and a number of turnovers at the breakdown enabled Sidcup to limit the damage to a single try and then to rub salt in the wound Sidcup broke away and Toby Baldwin was put in for an excellently taken try. This went unconverted from wide-out but 7-5 was a good return for Sidcup given the run of play. Special mention for Ryan P who played with a chest infection and Isaac who was ferocious in the tackle and contact areas (maybe a little too ferocious on one occasion in the second period) as ever. That said the outlook was not good as we had been down the slope and with the wind in the first quarter so we would need to up our game.

Period 2

For period two we brought on all the players who hadn’t played in the previous period. Oscar moved to hooker, Ryan Donahue to prop, Jonathan and Max came on in the row, Liam and Bruno to flanker, William came on the wing (great tackle on their 8!). Kicking was now not an option as we were into the wind and up the slope so the boys were instructed to keep the ball in hand and this they did with one of the longest passages of play this season ensuing with the ball turned over and reclaimed several times. The large number of phases were energy sapping and it was clear that both teams were tiring. When the referee awarded a penalty to Sidcup Joe Leigh took advantage of the disorganised defence and broke from just inside the Cranbrook half for a try under the posts which he converted himself. 12-7 to Sidcup. The game continued to ebb and flow with Josh Barton (who put in another strong performance) going off after a heavy tackle to be replaced at scrum half by Billy Hally (who had his best game this season). As was the nature of the game Cranbrook then replied with an unconverted try which the scores tied at 12 all and then went ahead following a further unconverted score. Going behind galvanised Sidcup and with the forwards now in the ascendant and the backs thwarted several times by good Cranbrook cover tackles we attacked from half way with the ball making its way to Toby Baldwin who drove powerfully towards the line. The covering defender came across but went high to be met with a stiff hand off and Toby was over. The try went unconverted so the scores were tied at 17 all.

Period 3

With the majority of the players that played in the first period back on for both sides Sidcup were urged by the coaches to use the wind and the slope and play rugby in the Cranbrook half. By now the Sidcup pack with Jack Davenport, Jennen, Tom and Rufus to the fore was on the front foot in both scrums and more importantly in the loose with several driving mauls putting Sidcup firmly in the Cranbrook half. Cranbrook were struggling to clear their lines given that they were against the elements so whilst it was by no means one way traffic the momentum was definitely with the Sidcup boys. However the territory and possession did not translate into points until with 5 minutes to go a fluent backs move put Jack Dash away for a try which was dotted down under the posts. The conversion was missed but the Sidcup team closed out the game deep in the Cranbrook territory and came away with an excellent 22-17 victory.

It is games and wins like this where the boys played for their mates that build a team. Going away and coming back with a result against a strong Cranbrook side was particularly pleasing and bodes well for future seasons. It was evident we had learnt some of the lessons handed out by OE’s at Avery Hill and this is what sport is all about.

Well done to all the boys. Please make every effort to attend training on Wednesday.