A tough day at a muddy office

After the disappointment of last week's postponement against Old Colfeians, and short of a few key players due to illness and injury our squad made the short trip to Westcombe Park for a double header. We decided to play 2 true mixed ability sides, with our older players and new joiners side by side. Whilst its been fantastic welcoming so many new players into the squad, and it bodes well for the future, it inevitably presents a challenge to integrate everyone, to find their best positions and to build patterns of play and the understanding between players, and this showed against an organised and well drilled WP squad.

First game - we came up against the bulk of WP A team side, including a powerful and skilful backline. We started ok and stood up in the physical battle, although lacked the variety in attack to punch any holes in a strong defensive wall. Too many times we failed to do the basic things well, of driving up, recycling and getting the ball wide, instead getting into wrestling matches and turning the ball over. WP then proved much more incisive will ball in hand and scored a handful of tries before half time. Too many of our players focussed on berating the refereeing and whilst in any game there will be calls we disagree with, we need to use any perceived sense of injustice better, to spur us on rather than distracting us from the task at hand. Half time came and after a stern talking to we played our best rugby in the 5 minutes after the break, much more aggressive at the breakdown and passing the ball more fluently. It was unfortunate then after a knock on at a ruck that we turned the ball over again and the mistake was punished in the corner. I think its fair to say heads started to drop at this point, and despite captain Jack's best efforts to rally his troops WP took control, running in a handful more tries as our tackling intensity inevitably waned. We can't pretend it was anything other than a heavy defeat and credit to WP for a disciplined and skilled performance but we know we had an off day, that we've got talented players who normally perform much better. We as coaches need to look at how we can better give the players the tools and confidence to show that talent.

The second game was an altogether closer affair and what seemed like two really well matched sides. During the first half we were under some sustained pressure in the midfield, and although our line never came under too much threat, we were indebted to Dan's outstanding tackling performance throughout that period. He formed a central piece of a really strong and committed defensive unit and we were much better at stealing and shifting the ball towards the space. With captain Sam B marshalling things in the midfield, a couple of times Kyle almost set Max away on the wing and we were unlucky to concede a try in the far corner from a turnover in midfield. After half time others took Dan's lead, tackling relentlessly and we really dominated territory and possession. We spent most of the half banging away at what was, to be fair, a solid WP defensive resistance. After one bullocking run from George out wide, we thought we'd levelled things up, but unfortunately the ball was apparently placed just short of what was left of a mud covered and not particularly clearly painted try line! We continued to hammer away with Lewis providing some powerful breaks with his new go-faster hairdo, and were really unlucky to spill the ball and the WP pacy winger picked up and ran in a good score from 50 metres. It could have been a killer blow - but we were delighted to see the response, and eventually we got the try that our play deserved, with Luke dotting down after another powerful burst through the middle. The restart was called as the last play of the game and it was testament to the pressure we were exerting that WP decided the best option was to hoof the ball into touch and end the game. So although a 2-1 defeat, it was 2-2 if we count George's try and somewhat a moral victory! The boys really put some pride back into the Sidcup shirt and showed what a great squad we have. Well done to all of them.

Well played to everyone - despite the defeats, the camaraderie in the squad is great to see. Thanks for all the vocal support from the touchline, and also to Mike and his WP coaching team for their hospitality, Stuart for refereeing the whole 80 minutes and to the WP boys for a stern test played in a good spirit.

Cheers, Stuart