Todays Algebra:- (15a ) x ( 30ab) = 48 -15

Sidcup’s first pitch was in very good nick when Beccs 14s squad rolled up for this late (11am) friendly fixture. An unseasonably bright and warm morning feeling more like early October then the last day of the penultimate month.

30 Beccs players again showed (as at Maidstone) that strength in depth is our strength. Of course 30 takes all of the substitute stresses away from the coaches, but with the lesson of last year’s fixture of totally uneven halves (A team first half, B team second half) they opted to select two evenly matched teams, one for each half. Our squad has a few utility players that have the ability to play the game where ever asked but generally we do appear to have two boys to cover each position This has the added bonus that on days like this we have 15 readymade substitutes to cover any injuries.

A note about our squad and that strength: Half way through our second season in Juniors and we appear to be in a really good place with our players, (of all abilities) our parents, and our coaches. We have 34 /35 players registered and yes 40 players would be ideal to give us two full teams with subs, but by mixing the abilities our boys are developing the real and proper rugby traditions of playing not just for the shirt but for your team mates who ever they may be. Our more accomplished boys are working harder to help and look after the developing players and they in turn are learning and concentrating more so not to let down the better players.
Sidcup have always been a constant opponent; never to be taken lightly (they have had a few victories against us through the minis) but they do not currently have the numbers in their squad to field two teams and today a bare 16 or 17 boys were to play against our two equal ability teams.

The referee, a Sidcup man, got the first half under way and was initially slightly fierce with his warnings and decisions but as the game progressed he realised that both teams were there to play and he became more relaxed. Beccs were stronger in most areas of the pitch but were never in total control. The Sidcup scrum put up a good contest but they were unable to capitalise when the play became broken. Beccs scored 5 tries and Miles converted 3 of them. Sidcup ran in two tries but failed to convert. 10 – 31 was a true reflection and all in all a good half, of good friendly rugby played in warm sunny weather. The only downer was our hooker, Ruben, had been hurt in a collapsed scrum and was nursing a very sore neck.

So to team two, raring and ready to try and match team one, and hoping to take advantage of Sidcup’s lack of fresh legs. Sidcup kicked off, and being kind we will say that due to all that waiting around and watching, Beccs dropped it; but no matter because the referee played advantage waiting to see if Sidcup could gain from the field position. Beccs gathered and nearly reached the halfway line before being tackled. The ensuing ruck was a strange affair with some players (especially Sidcup) expecting the ref to now blow for the knock on and others (especially the new to the pitch Beccs players) tearing in for their first contact of the day.
Suddenly an invasion of coaches and parents like green peace protesters ran onto the pitch shouting and waving their arms trying to halt the game. A whistle was really needed but eventually the message got through and all hostilities ceased. Still no whistle…. All eyes turned to the referee but he was nowhere to be seen. The fact was, he hadn’t been seen since end of the first half; Sidcup’s kick off had started the second half without so much as a nod or peep from any official capacity and all the players just got on with it.
The unwritten law of rugby being “what the ref doesn’t see, is legal” had really came to the fore because it turned out that the ref hadn’t actually seen anything as he wasn’t yet ready to resume. After much shoulder shrugging and offers from all sundry to take over refereeing; the official, Official emerged from the changing rooms still finishing his htf (half time fag) and wondering which usurper had stolen his crown and divine right of match control.

Maybe nature had called longer and louder than normal but whatever the reason our “Sir” for the day was defiantly not up with play.
Many chuckles and laughs later, and with the surplus shrill of his correctly appointed whistle the still bemused referee got the second half under way.
Beccs were never really in danger of losing the half but with some players playing out of their normal positions, (Freddie at fly half) it was difficult to get any continuity into the performance. Sidcup seemed to raise their game and those tired legs never emerged. In the end Beccs ran in three with Ben converting one. Sidcup scored one unconverted.
Final Score 15 – 48

A very pleasant and successful full squad run out; and to cap it all afterwards, a pint with our friendly hosts out on the patio in very warm unseasonal sunshine. Discussion about the days play, and squad strengths ensued. Referees are truly the unsung heroes of our game as it is only with their input and commitment that these games are able to go ahead; unfortunately we were unable to show our gratitude to our erstwhile referee and to get his view on the match as he was unavailable, again.