Pain Trains' match report Vs Guildford RFC

Written by 'Pain Train Fawole.

"Sidcup is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're going to get" - like get your bottom lip cut open and be called bubba all day?

I can remember it like it was just yesterday…. a slightly humid Saturday afternoon which marked another rugby day for Sidcup RFC to continue their winning streak.

With a last-minute injury change leading to Billy "Dancing Queen " Williams not playing and that 50th cap looking non-existent #47cap! allowing the the better Thomas brother, Dan Thomas to fill that 6 positions.

The squad was still looking solid, with the call up and arrival of the man they call David "Pain Train " FAWOLE Cho Cho MF, who had a lot to prove as well as the confirmed return of Louis "speedy Gonzalez” Kelly, the better Kelly brother. Today was another day for a potential win for Sidcup to cement their legendary status and continue the winning streak.

Guilford kicked off with a great catch by a resident taker Jack Dutton. From a box kick Guilford managed to to make a few passes and score early in the game. 7-0 Guilford

Kick-off again with a great kick chase allowed Sidcup to run a range of phases together to produce good run out rugby with ball in hand and second passes (what Jonesy has been banging on about in training for God knows how long). Birthday boy James Poland did some nice running and with a short pass allowed Sidcup to score a try by ... Max O’Leary. Josh Twyford with the successful conversion 7-7.

Guilford thought they were the better team in the first initial scrum which led to a whole lot of whooping and hollering that could be heard from a mile away. From the noise, people would think they had won the game already but, Sidcup wasn't going to allow them to get away with it.

With great attacking play including more ball carrying and offloads from Sidcup, Guildford made some unforced errors and silly mistakes allowing a penalty. Again, Josh Twyford stepped up and completed a conversion 10-7 to Sidcup.

Guilford kicked off and ran a few passes to gain some yards off pick and goes. Sidcup’s defence was looking dicey leading to a try 14-10 Guilford

Kick off once again from Sidcup. A few carries led Sidcup’s fly half Josh Tywford to produce his signature quick feet to gain those extra yards. A line out for Sidcup, with good driving in Guildford’s 22 and a nice take from Dan Thomas but, Sidcup couldn't capitalise from it. Good running from Guilford’s half back, it was clear those Keith's Forward chop shop skills were non- existent, this allowed Guilford to score another try 21-10 Guilford.

Half time was called which was a tough half with good possession from Guildford. Sidcup had switched off leading to them being down the first half. Guilford thought they had finally outdone Sidcup and thought they had it in the bag from all that whooping and hollering but this is a game of two halves....

Wise words initially from the Jonesy and the coaches, finally el captain Jon West put the final touches to it to lift the team’s spirits up. This is where Sidcup like to shine being down but picking themselves back up once more collectively as team.

Second half kicked off and the intensity built, offloads and carries from both teams. Guilford looked threatening in Sidcup’s half but Sidcup’s defence responded well to the challenge and were formidable, with great line speed leading to another error from Guildford resulting in a penalty for Sidcup in front of the post. 24-10 Guilford.

Continuous solid scrums and ball carrying from Sidcup, strengthened their position. Guilford wasn't going down without a fight and tried to maintain possession. Guildford were looking to add another try tally to the score sheet from their winger but the steam engine of a train, that is the PAIN TRAIIIN wasn't having it and made a solid tackle and put him out the pitch giving Sidcup a line out. I guess all that whooping from the first half must have got to their heads.
A nice solid scrum win from Sidcup with More yards gained and a nice 40/50 metres run from the JT or DT, who knows which put Sidcup back in the game.

With a string of good play and ball carrying from resident scrum half Ben Ibrahim with forward and back play, Sidcup started to look more comfortable and find their stride. Starting from a good counter rucking from Ben and the forwards, allowing Dan Thomas to making a great line break and slot a try home, Billy Williams looking slightly anxious. 24-22 Guildford

Sidcup came to play today with more ball carries and forward play from the 9 as well as pick and goes. They were edging closer and closer to Guilford’s try line. Their persistent pressure and determination led to Louis Keely slotting one home. 24-27 Sidcup.

The momentum was with Sidcup, the intensity built more and more with a great box kick chase from Guilford, leading to a Sidcup line out. This gave a good drive closer to the Guilford 10 m line and again Dan Thomas with a nice pick and go to slot it home. Conversion again by Josh Twyford. 24-34 Sidcup.

Things were going wrong for Guilford, they were getting impatient and tired from their poor decision making. The crowd’s raucousness diminishing with time as the score line became less favourable. The referee stopping play for same consistent player on the floor.

That didn't faze Sidcup, a team on a mission with the bonus point already insight they wanted to make Guilford eat those whooping and hollering noises and show them they meant business. With the momentum in their favour, this built up to Louis Kelly adding another try to his tally 39-24 Sidcup.

Finally, to finish off the game with great running James Poland with a try finishing the game 44-24.

Firstly, I'd like to say the way Sidcup played in the last 15-20 mins of the game producing continuous try's was spectacular. Definitely looked like a team not to be taken lightly and certainly shut the opposition and crowd right up from the whooping! #NotBiased
Team played great and added another bonus point putting them on top of league. A few stand out players but, the my hero award went to Dan Thomas.

Written by 'Pain Train' Fawole.