SIDCUP U12’s MAKE THE DOWSWELL CUP FINAL!!

SIDCUP U12’s MAKE THE DOWSWELL CUP FINAL!! – 3rd March 2013

Sidcup U12’s approached our last Dowswell on Sunday with some nerves given the tough draw but as it turned out the cold Wednesday night training through the winter has had a significant impact with Sidcup winning all their pool matches against sides that they had failed to beat earlier in the season. We came up short in the final against a ‘class’ Edenbridge outfit but our second half comeback in that match meant that the gloss was not taken off the day.

GAME 1 – SIDCUP 2 BECKENHAM A 0

Sidcup played some excellent rugby in this match scoring two great tries through Jack ‘Dash’ and Joseph Leigh (Captain) either side of half time and the victory was nothing more than we deserved as the forwards more than matched the large Beckenham pack and the backs got the ball through the hands well. The forwards supported well with the props Jack Davenport and Luis Smith started as they meant to go on with several rampaging runs.

GAME 2 – SIDCUP 1 BECCAHAMIANS A 0

Joseph Leigh had picked up a knock in the first game so we decided to leave him on the sideline and with our Captain missing our team really stood up to be counted. Ryan Powell took over the Captaincy with Barney coming in and carrying well. Ethan Nightingale, Reece Novo and Toby Baldwin ran the game intelligently and the try was something of a forwards effort with Luis Smith to the fore (Oxygen was required after two powerful carries within the same move) and was well finished off by Billy Hally who twirled his way over the line. Beccs had won the Bromley and Foxbury so this was a great effort by the whole Sidcup team.

GAME 3 – SIDCUP 4 DARTFORDIANS 2

School friendships (and also playing friendships in the case of the two coaches Davy / Powell) were put to one side for this ‘derby’ match. Sidcup were smarting from a defeat at the Foxbury and were really up for this one. The first half was a comprehensive display by Sidcup who moved the ball well and turned round 3 tries to the good with tries from Leigh (2) and Smith. This was added to shortly after the break with a further Leigh try to put the game in the bag. Leigh retired to nurse his injured knee and Dartfordians to their credit fought back with a good forwards try and a try on the final whistle but it was definitely a great win for Sidcup and the whole team can be rightfully very proud of the way they stood up to be counted. Special mention for the pack (with Powell leading from the front) who all competed well against the large Dartfordian juggernaut.

CUP FINAL – SIDCUP 1 EDENBRIDGE 4

Edenbridge are a very good side with several large (in a couple of cases very large!) but also importantly fast players. However, they are not as good as Sidcup made them look in the first half when we conceded four unanswered tries. At half time we circled the wagons and challenged the team to win the second half as we reverted to Plan B with a mobile second row and eight of Davies, Rufus Holland Clarke (who had been magnificent all day) and Cain. With more numbers at the breakdown we began to win some quality ball and this resulted in a try for Leigh to restore pride. What followed was a constant assault on the Edenbridge line with Sidcup being adjudged to have been held up over the line by the referee (thanks Robin!) on several occasions. Likewise if Sidcup had looked outside on a few occasions we had overlaps but in the end fair play to Edenbridge on a deserved win but also well done to Sidcup for making it a well contested cup final.

Unsung heroes – Ferguson and Ayliffe (awesome).

Second out of eight strong teams on the day was a good effort and up to the final we had won 10 straight games including strong performances in the Etihad and Dowswell. Just reward for a lot of hard work but we can still get better. To this end we need to build the competition within the squad and we intend to give those who didn’t play on Sunday as much game time as possible this weekend at Aylesford so please make every effort to attend training on Wednesday.