Sidcup U12's Win the Cup - South Coast International Festival of Rugby

Sidcup U12's Win the Cup - South Coast International Festival of Rugby

Two hard days of rugby culminated in Sidcup U12's bringing silverware back to South East London after a rousing final against Reading Abbey in front of a loud Sidcup support including a passionate U14's contingent.

The weekends rugby had everything from abandoned games (Ealing walking twice in the same game!) to controversial results but in the end we came out all the stronger for it only losing to one team over the course of the tournament.

In the absence of our injured hooker we successfully adopted the Argentinian Banjata with three props selected and a new call was born!

Rather than list the results and detail the ins and outs of each game I instead outlie below the tourists and their contributions to the weekend;

Luis Smith - Top player award winner with a hat trick against Old Halesonians and a new cult following after his barnstorming runs.

Jack Davenport - Got in on the try scoring act as well (Ealing Wild Horses) and never took a backward step.

Reece Novo - Never stopped complaining but always stood up to be counted in the end. His time at centre has been good for his skill development but the forwards will be his real home on these displays.

Ryan Powell - Our injured pack leader never missed a second of our games and supported his mates all the way. That's what Sidcup rugby is all about. Get that ankle sorted soon...

Jess Fergusan - Jess's unbelievable improvement in the space of one tournament shows why tours like this are so important. A new player at the start of the year and now fully integrated into the side! The second rows display in the final was awesome with three lung busting runs (it would never have happened in my day!). Keep eating the hog roasts!!

Jennan Davies - Jennan is an true unsung hero who makes the hard yards, puts his head in where it hurts and gets on with the dog work.

Jonathan Cain - Silent but violent! He is never far away from the action and produced a really strong tour performance.

Billy Hally - Despite not feeling 100% Billy was a stalwart player all tour. Happy to play wherever he is told, he just gets on with it. He proudly sported a black eye after the first day and with regard to disallowed try I will just say that the dead ball area was small!

Josh Barton - It was agreed by all that the nickname Joshy would have to go and not withstanding his excellent tour performance I don't think Bulldog is quite right. I think Buzz (as in bee not lightyear) sums up his busy style of play.

Ethan Nightingale - Ethan has all the talent in the world and showed it again on tour. He is the youngest in the age group so watch out next year is all I can say...

Joseph Leigh - Captain and talisman. Not sure as to the final try count but well into double figures. Even better than that Jo managed to hold his temper after an Ealing player had run across the pitch to punch him after a hard but fair tackle had left their player gasping for breath.

Toby Baldwin - So many people came up to me and commented on Toby's strong running. When he is in the mood he doesn't care who's in front of him. A real class act.

Isaac Ayliffe - Readings 6 foot plus second row was no match for the 'tackling machine' and left the pitch soon after. He chipped in with a try as well so a very strong all round tour.

Barney Simmons - New to the game but taken to it like a duck to water. Played every minute of every game and didn't let anyone down. Bounced back well from having one of the biggest 12 year olds I've ever seen bulldoze into him on day one. That first Sidcup try is just around the corner and will be the first of many.

Jack 'Dash' Smith - Scored his usual quota of tries. Some were length of the field affairs whilst others were brave dive ins at the corner. Such a good player who can still get much better. A pleasure to coach.

GREAT TOUR. THANKS TO ALL THE PARENTS AND MY FELLOW COACHES AS WELL.

SIDCUP FOREVER.