Sidcup 1XV hosted Canterbury in their 3rd round Kent league 1 tie in which they were hoping to continue their 100% win record, whilst the 2XV travelled to Beccehamians for a very tough fixture against a Beccs team who have clearly been placed in the wrong league (3) and are beating teams for fun at present. An extremely tough week for selection (if Joe had hair, it would now be gone), which saw a number of key players for both teams unavailable, was compounded on the morning of the games by more players suffering from a bout of illness that seems to be doing the rounds at present, meaning a few late withdrawals and hastily revised 1XV and 2XV`s . Unfortunately, this left the 2XV with only 14 players, but game on principles were adhered too by Beccs (who were also down on preferred numbers) with the match played until a clash of heads (both Sidcup) left only 12 on the Sidcup side, with the match stopped and the final score recorded at 53 to 0 in favour of Beccs.
Following a minutes silence, that was mirrored across all age grade games in Kent, for the sad death of Harry Noyce a young U13 player at Old Colfeians, the game got underway, with the U16 1XV gracing the 1st team pitch against a very big and powerful looking Canterbury side. It was an extremely physical game, which saw 1 x Canterbury player and 5 x Sidcup players leaving the field early (1 by ambulance) for various injuries - but despite the midweek selection headaches, the early morning reshuffles and the injuries during the game, the 1XV we were too strong for a very game Canterbury side, running out 78 to 5 winners to keep their unbeaten season going. Speedy recovery to all the players across both games who picked up knocks, (thankfully none have proved too serious) as we rest up, recharge and get ready to go again in 2023.