Sidcup vs. Old Alleynian's – Match Report

It was the last Friday of August and an excited, tangible hum of anticipation was spreading down
Sydney Road and beyond. Much to John the Barman’s delight, the rugby season is coming and it
would all kick off with the Tailgate Party, followed by the supporters’ first look at the Sidcup 1st team
squad.

A squad of 25 was selected with a great mix of youth (Ducky), peak years (Josh Twyford),
experience (Harry Large) and seriously-how-the-****-are-you-still-playing-at-your-age (Tom Epps).

The game kicked off and it was Sidcup who started the stronger; there was a clear intent to get into
their attacking shape early and the forwards, notably Josh Watson flying around the corner to test
the OAs fringe defence. This positive approach paid off as some neat passing sent Captain Jaeger,
Louis Keeley flying down the touchline. They say give the fans what they want and Louis obliged,
subjecting the covering defence to the classic Keeley fend before offloading to Tom O’Shea who
dived in to score, screaming “This is for you, Zac!” as he surfed over the try line.

OA’s responded as one would expect, with a strong kick off chase and starting to really put the
phases together. However, the quality of their attack was met by the intent of Sidcup’s defence with
notable “shots” from Sleek and Liam (the Northern one, not the one who looks like Alan from the
Hangover films). There was also a ferocious clear out from Fraser. No one was sure if his anger was a
delayed reaction from the Lions result or a premonition of losing the Ashes this winter but his effort
summed up Sidcup’s defence of their own try line. This pattern of play followed for some time,
Sidcup scrummaging and defending well and their opponents constantly looking for an opening.
Eventually, something had to give and it did. OAs scored 2 tries in quick succession and the half
finished 14-5.

As forecast, the heavens opened as the second half began and it became clear that the team that
protected the ball better and made wiser choices would control the game. On balance, OAs were the
better team during this period of the game but there were huge positives coming from this Sidcup
side: massive carries from Rob Knott and Daniel Coker and, much to the Millwall Corner’s
delight/surprise/utter astonishment, a spiral kick from Ducky that was millimetres away from being a
50:22.

More and more, Sidcup began to gain better field position. Then came possibly Sidcup’s best
moment of the game; Leamon took the ball off the top of a line out and fizzed a flat pass to Josh
Twyford who, despite being better-known for his game control and metronomic boot, momentarily
transformed into Dave ‘Pain Train’ Fawole and scythed through the OA defence unmolested. All that
was needed was a final pass inside and it was George Bird who slid in under the OAs posts. 14-12.

The game was entering its final quarter and it now seemed Sidcup looked the stronger side. Alas,
OAs showed their quality and rallied to again start playing smarter rugby in the conditions. Sidcup
would not go quietly into the night, with some handbags and squabbling around the breakdown
settled emphatically by Sidcup enforcer Josh Twyford. The citing officer may have a look at this as
from the stands it appeared that Josh stepped to his opposite number, slapped him twice across the
face and growled “I’m your Huckleberry”. There is also a chance that none of this happened.

Once from a Sidcup error, once from individual skill and finally from good team play, OA scored
three tries to give them a deserved win with a slightly flattering score line.

Coach Jon Webber, who sat in the stands for the second half to get a better view of the game and not to avoid the rain, was
upbeat. “Not only am I the second best-looking St Mary’s graduate at the club, but there are
positives to take from tonight. A good training week and we will be ready for Darts on the 6th .” He is
not wrong. Onwards and upwards. See you all at Darts next weekend and "Largie Day" on the 13th .

Joe "Scoop" Brady