TJ`s were narrowly beaten by Sevenoaks in their last game, and to have a realistic chance of competing in this year’s Kent cup final, had to overcome an unbeaten Sidcup side. Conversely with only Sevenoaks left to play after this match, a win for Sidcup would guarantee them a top two league position, and a place in the final, so there was plenty at stake for both clubs.
A perfect day for rugby greeted the teams and with a dry, firm 1st team pitch, the match was set for fast expansive rugby. In the run up we have had a few injury scares requiring late fitness calls on a couple of players, but in the main it was a virtual full strength Sidcup side that was named.
As the boys drifted into the changing room, the sound of Gangster rap, drum and bass, filled the air and as the energy levels started to ramp up, so did the volume. Never mind playing rugby let’s get a few mums and dads in here and party! However, order was restored, and we reluctantly left the Sidcup Ministry of Sound, and after a good structured warm up, were ready to play.
TJ`s are a good side and had only lost one of their league games this season, and with an academy pedigree to be proud off, we knew it was going to be a tight game, and so it proved.
The opening period of play was absolutely breathless with no break in play for what seemed like 15 minutes, it was a real arm wrestle with TJ`s in particular retaining the ball for long periods of time.
A good defence, is like Eminem lyrics, often undervalued, and today we showed its value, with wave after wave of attack being met with a resistance that at time was brutal to watch. TJ`s retained possession fantastically, with their ruck clearance as brutal as it was fair, it really was game on. The deadlock was finally broken by a quite brilliant passage of play starting at full back from our own 5 metre line, then 4 driving phases through the forwards, a line break through the centres to the TJ`s 22, followed by a pass (that would have made Warwick Davis complain it was too low), that eluded its target, but was none the less eventually picked up by a supporting player who, despite a tackle managed to keep the ball, and his balance, to score in the corner. Conversion was missed 5 Nil to Sidcup.
The game continued in much the same vein with TJ`s having the lion’s share of possession but struggling to break through our defensive line and when they did, finding our cover play was also very good. Defence will keep you from losing a game but you need to score to win and we remained a real threat in this aspect whenever we got the ball, with our second try one for the purists, with our biggest player bravely charging at their smallest player, off of the base of a ruck, to score a stunning try from at least 8 inches. Conversion missed 10 Nil.
TJs refused to lie down and following a poor clearance scored a try of their own to make it 10-5 half time.
Second half came with a directive to be more forceful at the break down by committing more men and securing quicker, cleaner ball. This was proved when a Sidcup clearing kick, following a lineout on our 22, was not dealt with well by TJs, resulting in turnover ball, which was well exploited by a good break at 10, followed by 2 quick forward pick and goes, to pull in defenders, then 2 passes to score. Conversion scored 17 – 5
TJs replied quickly with a good passage of play leading to a great kick that gave them a lineout on the 5-metre line. A simple but effective catch and drive try followed, with the conversion attempt hitting the post to make it 17-10.
With 15 minutes to go, TJ`s threw everything at us and were camped in our half for what seemed the entire time. Knowing that only a converted try would secure a draw, they intelligently kept driving down the middle of the pitch clearly intent on scoring under, or as near as possible to the posts. Our defence however was as good in the last 15 minutes, as it was in the first 15, but it was still with relief, when a kick to touch after time had been played, signalled the end of the match.
As said before TJ`s are a very good side, and I’m sure there are some sore Sidcup shoulders this morning, due to all the tackling we had to do to keep them at bay, but it was not their day.
The match was played at a hard and fast pace, but played in good spirit, with the bit of friendly banter between the supporters, only adding to the atmosphere.
Our final game in the League, on the 26th March, is away to Sevenoaks, who will pose as big, if not a bigger challenge than TJ`s. The boys will need to cut out the silly mistakes, be at the top of their respective games and be up for the task …...I wonder if Stormzy is available for private gigs ?