SIDCUP v BECKENHAM

After a poor showing last time out against a strong Edenbridge side Sidcup U12s bounced back strongly against Beckenham.

GAME 1 - Sidcup A 1 - Beckenham A 1

It was important that Sidcups pack fronted up to the large Beckenham forwards and they did well. Ferguson (deputising at prop), Powell and Davenport scrummaged strongly and the mobile back three of Jennen, Crouser and Cain foraged well with Crouser very strong at ruck time.

The tiny pitch resulted in very little space being available and Baldwin, Leigh, Hally, Nightingale, Ayliffe, Smith and Rufus (who made an excellent debut) had to make hard yards given the little running room available.

Beckenham scored first with a close range try which was answered by captain Jo Leigh going in at the corner. Honours even.

GAME 2 - Sidcup B - 5 Beckenham B - 0

The most pleasing aspect of this season is the strength in depth we are building. Recruits from last season (Lay, Page, Spunner, Barton etc.) are really finding their feet and the new boys this season (Alex, Alfie etc.) have hit the ground running. When you consider we had a number of unavailabilities (Luis, Ben, Sam, Ryan D, Barney etc.) we are well on the road to building a strong squad for next season. Special mention for Max Loughran who has improved immeasurably since last season.

Sidcup put some great passages of play together and came out comprehensive winners with Spunner (debut try!) and Lay among the try scorers. A particularly strong effort with a least two tries from Novo who looks like making a successful transition from forward to crash ball centre.

GAME 3 - Sidcup A - 1 Beckenham A - 1

Another fire and brimstone affair with various accusations of skullduggery from both sides all missed by the referee (me).

Beckenham took the lead (from a driving lineout) in the first half after Sidcup had defended their line fiercely for a long period.

For the last few weeks (since Edenbridge) the coaches have been stressing the need for the team to show fighting qualities when they go behind and it was very pleasing that the message finally seems to be getting through to them.

Sidcup came back strongly in the second half laying seige to the Beckenham line. Baldwin was denied a try but in the end after a succession of attacking scrums and penalties the pressure told with Leigh going over to earn Sidcup a well deserved draw.

GAME 4 - Sidcup B 7 - Beckenham B - 0

More of the same from the B team in a strong game which included tries from Page, Lay, Spunner, Novo and a length of the field effort from Rufus (first but definitely not last try for Sidcup!).

Final mention goes to Isaac Ayliffe who it turns out has been playing with a split tendon in his shoulder for the last few weeks. No one is a braver or better team man than Isaac and playing on through this injury amply demonstrates this fact.

Thanks to Beckenham (always a strong and well coached side) and well done to all of the Sidcup boys who were undefeated on the day.