Gravesend v Sidcup Under 13's

It was a gloriously sunny morning as the parents and their sleepy teenagers arrived at the crack of 10am. Warm up was very slow and laborious with the lads struggling to wake-up and switch on. Unfortunaley Harry W and Issac injured themselves during the warm up and had to retire before the first whistle. Several pep talks followed from Coach Pete and Coach Lee, then a morale boosting few chosen words from Badger and, before we knew it, the games was about to start (still with some of our lads yawning!). This is going to be a tough 3 x 20 minute thirds !

First third starts - well needless to say Gravesend needed no invitation and they thundered home three tries in quick succession. "WAKE UP SIDCUP!" the parents and coaches shouted in unison. Suddenly the sleepy teenagers were wide awake. Charge! This was what the supporters had come to see. Om as captain led the counter attack. Scrum down - great push from Sidcup as they pushed their heavier hosts backwards. Om attacks! Jamie attacks! Ollie plays well and falls on the ball at a pivotal moment. Sasha rucks over and wins the ball. The Sidcup boys are charging at the hosts, who are stunned by the vigour of the visitors. George B thinks on his feet and steps in as scrum half as the visitors assault the Gravesend line and Tom the Tominator thunders over the line for the first try in a few weeks ! "Hurray" the crowd cheers! What's this? The Sidcup team are not finished. A series of huge tackles stuns Gravesend - Harry L tackles....James tackles....Alfie puts in a ring-of-steel perfectly...George B runs...Om charges followed by his whooping team mates. There is a struggle on the Gravesend line as they try to defend but now they succumb to the Sidcup onslaught and Om pushes over the line for Sidcup's 2nd try of the third. Gravesend attacks....Ollie stops them in their tracks and the whistle blows up for the end of the first third of the match. Gravesend win the first third 3-2.

Second third starts - lots of fresh pairs of legs arrive for Sidcup as the subs come on, all inspired by their team mates strong end to the first third. The whistle blows, Gravesend charge and quickly score. "WAKE UP" call the parents and coaches and suddenly the visitors attack! Louis charges....Charlie charges.....Frank catches a Gravesend kick and charges.....George P puts in a huge tackle and Jamie scores! One all! Aiden makes a daring run, Sam I'A makes a swift pass, Sam W charges into the opponents bowling them out of the way like skittles. There is a maul, Jamie steals the ball, swift passing and Mat C is like an exocet missile crossing over the line - the crowd goes wild ! Gravesend counterattack and even the score. The Sidcup lads launch attack after attack as they inch back towards the Gravesend line with some big tackles from Daniel, Harry L, Billy and Frank - well done all. Seeing an opportunity, Jake passes the ball at pace to George P who launches himself over the line and Sidcup are back in the lead for the 2nd quarter 3-2. The game restarts and Sam W charges again pushing deep into Gravesend territory, Daniel tackles, great passing from Mat C to Jamie who leaps over the line to make it 4-2 in the second third. Suddenly the Sidcup line is surging forward again and Daniel romps over the line 5-2 ! Gravesend are not done yet, as they claw one try back. The whistle sounds for the end of the second third - Sidcup have won a third 5-3 ! The parents are cheering, the coaches are jumping with joy ! Well done lads great teamwork ! The Hydration manager checks H2O levels as the lads swig their spring water.

The last third starts and Gravesend have brought out all of their biggest and fastest players - this will be a much tougher third! Gravesend were swift and relentless. Frank put in a big tackle to save a try near the line before the pressure became too great and Gravesend scored a try. The tempo of this final third is frenetic - backwards and forwards the boys go with some outstanding runs and rucking over by Harry L, plus some great attcaking runs from Charlie. Sidcup claw their way to the Gravesend line and almost score several times but the larger hosts defend their line as Om leads the lads forward. Sadly it is not to be the Sidcup lads' day and Gravesend run in two tries in quick succession as some tackles are missed by the exhausted visitors. The final whistle sounds - 3-0 to the hosts for the final third.

Final result for the match is Gravesend 9 - Sidcup 7.

One of many memorable moments this reporter noted was when James had just floored a Gravesend player with a big tackle then reached down to offer him a hand to help him up - excellent sportsmanship.

In the spirit of respect, the visitors cheered the hosts and everyone retired to the club-house for a swift soft drink and a well deserved post-match tea.

Omhang was man of the match and won the juice and Mars bar eating competition! Many thanks to Gravesend who were superb hosts.

The team want to wish our injured team mates, especially Alfie, best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Dean Barham