Lazarus Couldn't have Done any Better

Local rivalries resumed for the 3’s on Saturday as they hosted Westcombe Park RFC 4th XV. Most of the visitors had already played against Sidcup this year as part of Westcombe’s now defunct 3rd team and had been on the end of a 70 point drubbing and thus seemed exceptionally motivated to gain revenge. The 3’s were once again decimated by call ups and call offs, as the club in its entirety suffered an injury crisis with the 2’s spending most of their game down to 14 men (no available subs) and the 1’s had ten 1st XV squad members side lined through injury. Due thanks is given to those noble players in the 3’s who took to the field despite being advised that hamstring/groin strains and even sciatica would prevent them from playing. With 12 of the squad already out due to illness, work or other more interesting reasons, we are grateful that the walking wounded turned up at all or there would have been no game.

As the two teams warmed up before the game, it was evident that the Sidcup pack were probably giving away a stone-a- man to their opponents at the least and that a fast rucking game would be the best option. And a great option it would have been if a number of players weren’t lame through one injury of another. Another delightful moment before the game for the spectators was a brief visit to the touchline from the referee to advise that red and yellow cards applied to supporters as well and not to get on the wrong side of him. Nothing like setting your stall out early!

Sidcup were already on the back foot before the game had even kicked off when, due to numerous reasons, they were bereft of the necessary number of props to start a game and thus the scrums had to go uncontested. A front row of Pooley, Frondigoun and Pooley sounded more like a particularly unscrupulous legal firm. They were backed up by Burke and the effervescent Charlie Hine in the “Row” with the mixture of youth, experience and broken bones in the Backrow that is James Parker, Steve Hancox and Matt Brunt. Harrison and Stamato continued at half backs, with Goofer moving to the centre alongside Leighton who had moved inwards from the wing. The available again Crook joined May and Stephens in the confusion that is the back 3. Mitchell, Head and newcomer Dean Clay made up the bench.

The opening 20 minutes saw the visitors try and use their greater bulk to batter the home the side and Sidcup defend both resolutely and without concern for what was left of their bodies. When in possession, the home side showed quick hands and great support play and made numerous sortees in the Westcombe Park 22 only to come away unrewarded. Westcombe Park scored two tries and converted both in the first quarter, nothing remarkable or noteworthy about either try.

At around the 20 minute mark, Fly Half/Scrum Half/Man-for-all -Seasons Stamato was particularly squashed at a ruck and needed some medical attention/faith healing so Jon Mitchell took to the field, a la John Wayne walking into a rough Western Bar. (Not in the dramatic effect fashion, but limping like someone who has spent two weeks on the back of a horse.) P Edwards moved back into the fly half birth which more suits a man in his state of health and Mitchell moved into the centre alongside wing Leighton, who seemed to be relishing the role outside centre.

Sidcup used good tactical kicking to keep their opponents on the turn and were rucking excellently in the first half with Pooley (T) notable of one of the many forwards taking the ball at pace on the crash. One such instance saw the ball recycled quickly and through the hands post haste only for winger Crook to be caught inches from the line and forced into touch. Hancox, Parker and the unstoppable Brunt were everywhere in the loose, ably supported by the youthful Frondigoun, Parker and Hine and the somewhat older Pooley (K). To counteract the hosts open play, WP often tried to play a tight mauling game and then use their large runners on the charge. They also seemed to be adopting a McCaw-esque approach to the breakdown, killing the ball to such an extent that it would take a miracle to bring it back from the dead. The visitors were a well organised and vocal side, egging each other on during the gamew and accusing touch judges of cheating should the line out not go their way.

With two converted tries separating the sides at half time Sidcup were still in the game despite the physical superiority of the visitors and the injured Head was brought on to replace the injured Burke. Some five minutes into the second half, the injured Burke was brought back on to replace the more injured Blunt. By this stage the injured Matteo had returned to replace the injured Mitchell. Anyone without an injury was feeling quite left out.

Sidcup conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck which proved that irony is alive and kicking in the world of rugby. The kick seemed to head straight out over the “Deadball” line but was adjudged to have crossed the touch line and WP were awarded a lineout near the Sidcup line from which they duly, caught, drove and scored. The conversion may or may not have been successful; the pitch side reporter was busy ranting at the time. Soon after, having spread the ball left to right and back again without gaining an inch forward, a delightful break saw one of the visitor’s fleet-footed back cut an excellent line and score under the posts. It is believed this was converted.

Sidcup still had some good quality possession and on a number of occasions got into their opponent’s 22” but were either thwarted by solid defence or taking the wrong option at the crucial juncture. With 15 minutes, newcomer Dean Clay came on in the centre to replace the world-weary Edwards and made an immediate impact taking a crash ball into the heart of the first-up defence and leaving tacklers in his wake. WP returned to the Sidcup 22” and scored from a neat move down the blind side. The kick went unconverted. Sidcup continued to attack and after a penetrating run from somebody and good support play from others (note-keeping isn’t what it used to be) Clay almost scored on his debut but the final pass unfortunately did not go to hand. The game petered out with Sidcup still trying to break through with scant success and the final whistle was greeted with whoops by some of the opposition.

All-in-all, Westcombe Park are a good side and should finish the season in the upper echelons of the league, possessing some good, skilful and hardworking players of true rugby origin. Sidcup were definitely not worthy of a thirty point difference on the score board, and on a different day with passes going to hand the score may well have been a seven point difference, if that. The fact that 5 players took to the pitch injured but refused to let the side down is testament to the character and team spirit in this side. Frondigoun looked fresh after his lay off (and a tad like Scrappy Doo), Hine excelled in the lineout and Head, despite injuries luxuriated in the physical side of the loose game. Brunt appears to be reminiscent of the Jean Pierre Reeves school of Openside, often leaving the pitch looking like he has just had surgery.

In the backs, Stamato never ceases to amaze, especially at how high he can jump to catch some of TH’s passes (in fairness, Tom probably couldn’t see by the early stages of the game due to a broken nose). The injured Edwards and Mitchell did well in considering their various maladies at inside centre and Clay made a good impression on his first run out for Sidcup. Leighton was the revelation of the backline and may have found a new niche (someone better explain the word niche to him, he will probably think it is a female relative).

So, to next week and the voyage of discovery takes the 3rd Team to Southwark Rugby Club, possibly for the first time in Sidcup’s history. Hopefully, a full squad of injured peeps and we can make history.