Sidcup 20 -v- 27 Hertford

HERTFORD kept up their chase for a top three finish in London and South East Premier with a 27-20 victory over mid table Sidcup.

HERTFORD kept up their chase for a top three finish in London and South East Premier with a 27-20 victory over mid table Sidcup.
While full back Sean Taylor had a poor day at the office with the boot, this was a solid display from Hertford with some excellent team tries.
“They gave us a good battle and there was good crowd down there,” said head coach Kanwijit Basra.
“Sean missed four conversions and one penalty which was a lot of points to give up, and a couple of those were right in front of the posts.
“It’s not like him, he has had a good season so I’m not going to be too hard on him, but he had a bad day at the office.
Aaron Lowe opened the scoring for Hertford from a scrum move to go over on the right hand side after the ball had gone through several hands.
The extras were missed by Taylor.
Jack Mitchell scored the second unconverted try five minutes later on the left wing, also following a scrum set piece, to make it 10-0.
A period of sustained Sidcup pressure ensued, with the Hertford defence doing well to repel the attacks.
“They won two penalties which they decided to go to touch with so they got no change out of that,” said Basra.
“Our defence was immense.”
The next score came five minutes into the second half when Richard Streets crossed the line on the left wing after a great move which saw forwards and backs combine.
Taylor landed the conversion for a 17-0 lead, but Sidcup hit back with a penalty.
Second row James Keens then picked up a sin-bin. “The ref said he didn’t come through the gate, but I didn’t think so,” said Basra
“We’ve been having a look at the amount of yellow cards we’re picking up – it’s our Achilles heel.
“We’ve got to be stronger on it as coaches because we’re not going to win the league by giving away so many yellow cards.”
The hosts slotted over another penalty to cut the deficit to 17-6.
However, Hertford then scored what Basra described as probably their best try of the season, going from their own 22 before veteran Dave Archer finished off the move.
“We went through what must have been 12 or 13 phases to make it 22-6,” said Basra.
“But we then missed a penalty in front of the posts. It happens sometimes.”
Sidcup had their tails up and scored a converted try after keeping possession well and taking advantage of the extra man.
Inside centre Stuart Smart was also sent to the naughty step for deliberate offside, so Hertford were down to 13 for a few minutes.
Archer went over for his second try – another fine team score as Hertford kept to their structure and pattern to lead 27-13.
Sidcup had the final say, though, going over the whitewash again for a converted score.
“I thought the boys played very well and all the subs got on,” added Basra.
“Harry Morgan, Rory Seymour and James Kinsley all came on and did well.
“Barnes won at Tring, so the best we can hope for is third spot.
“We’ve got 95 points already with two games left and last season we scored 85 so the development is there.
“We just need to be more calculated in the big games and stop giving away yellows cards.
“Our skill levels need improving as well for next season, but it’s been a good year and we need to keep going.
“We’ve got Westcliff at home and the Guildford away and we’ll look to finish on a high.”