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U16`s 2xv defeat to Dartfordians
David Aldridge9 Jan 2023 - 15:18
Sunday 8th January 2023
A cold, wet and windy morning saw the U16 2XV host local rivals Darfordians in the 5th round of the Kent Cup - League 3, and with Sidcup sitting in 3rd position and Darfordians in 4th it really was an 8 point match.
For once we had the luxury of a full squad to choose from and after a good warm up and a rallying team talk, optimism was high. Playing with the strong wind Darts were soon deep in our territory and resolute defending across the line kept them out for a number of minutes, until a nice little pop pass and a missed tackle, allowed a Darts runner to break the line and after 6 minutes we found ourselves behind. Two further tries followed, and we were in danger of capitulating, and whereas this may have been the case early season, as time has gone on, this team have developed belief in their abilities and a more positive mindset, with this belief and effort rewarded with a converted try of our own to make the half time score 5 : 17.……game on !
From the start of the second half, and aided by a strong wind, we had Darts camped in their own 22 for what seemed an eternity, but good defence, and what must be said was a combination of basic errors and poor decisions meant we just couldn’t break the line. This was the pattern for the second half with possession being lost at the break down, players getting isolated, and generally doing everything they are coached not to do. The second half stalemate continued uninterrupted for 20 minutes or so, save for delays whilst we had a player leave the field with a fractured collar bone and another with a broken leg, (which consequently needed pinning) - speedy recovery boys ! Our pressure did eventually pay dividends with a forward dominated passage of play resulting in a converted score to make it 12 : 17 with some 6 minutes to play. Even more game on !!
Unfortunately Darts had not read the script about our great comeback and scored a try of their own with less than 3 minutes to go, then held on for the win 12 : 22
It was a good, close match that, if we had turned our possession and territory into points (and quite frankly we should have), would have been a different storey but overall Darts deserved the victory. They defended well, played a good kicking game, capitalised on our errors, and took their chances.
With the team above us in the league also losing it feels like an opportunity missed but, as is usually the case we learn more from defeat than victory, so lots to work on in training, as we prepare for a couple of friendlies then away to Bromley for league match 6.
For once we had the luxury of a full squad to choose from and after a good warm up and a rallying team talk, optimism was high. Playing with the strong wind Darts were soon deep in our territory and resolute defending across the line kept them out for a number of minutes, until a nice little pop pass and a missed tackle, allowed a Darts runner to break the line and after 6 minutes we found ourselves behind. Two further tries followed, and we were in danger of capitulating, and whereas this may have been the case early season, as time has gone on, this team have developed belief in their abilities and a more positive mindset, with this belief and effort rewarded with a converted try of our own to make the half time score 5 : 17.……game on !
From the start of the second half, and aided by a strong wind, we had Darts camped in their own 22 for what seemed an eternity, but good defence, and what must be said was a combination of basic errors and poor decisions meant we just couldn’t break the line. This was the pattern for the second half with possession being lost at the break down, players getting isolated, and generally doing everything they are coached not to do. The second half stalemate continued uninterrupted for 20 minutes or so, save for delays whilst we had a player leave the field with a fractured collar bone and another with a broken leg, (which consequently needed pinning) - speedy recovery boys ! Our pressure did eventually pay dividends with a forward dominated passage of play resulting in a converted score to make it 12 : 17 with some 6 minutes to play. Even more game on !!
Unfortunately Darts had not read the script about our great comeback and scored a try of their own with less than 3 minutes to go, then held on for the win 12 : 22
It was a good, close match that, if we had turned our possession and territory into points (and quite frankly we should have), would have been a different storey but overall Darts deserved the victory. They defended well, played a good kicking game, capitalised on our errors, and took their chances.
With the team above us in the league also losing it feels like an opportunity missed but, as is usually the case we learn more from defeat than victory, so lots to work on in training, as we prepare for a couple of friendlies then away to Bromley for league match 6.
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