Tring 15-25 Sidcup by Ted Stanford

Tring welcomed Sidcup to Cow Lane on Saturday, looking to repeat their victory over the London side from earlier in the season. The weather posed tricky conditions for both teams with the winds high and heavy rain forecast. There was a return to the starting XV for Harry McCartney on the flank, with Archie James also re-instated in the front row. Ben Hogan and Ben Selwyn continued as the half backs and Alfie Robbins returned to the wing. With club captain Olley O’Gorman missing due to injury, winger Charlie Goss Lambourne took the field as captain and George Hayes started at No. 8 in his 100th game for Tring. Hayes led the home side out, marking a wonderful achievement for a club stalwart.

With the wind blowing hard down the pitch, both teams began the game looking to kick for territory. It took 13 minutes for the first score in the game, a Sidcup penalty (3-0). Hogan levelled the scores 7 minutes later with a penalty kick of his own (3-3). With both teams trying to build momentum in difficult conditions, a poor clearance kick from Sidcup allowed centre Ted Stanford to attack in space. He eventually grounded his own chip into the Sidcup in-goal for the first try of the afternoon, converted by Hogan (10-3).
Minutes later, Sidcup had a try of their own after multiple pick-and-go’s close to the Tring line (10-8). With the first half about to end, Sidcup were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. The resulting penalty kick had the visitors in the lead at the break (10-11).

Sidcup started the second half brightly with the elements now in their favour. With Tring struggling to put phases together, the away side profited from another penalty, this time kicking to the corner and scoring from the driving maul (10-18). 8 minutes later, Tring fired back. With pressure building and decisions now going the home side’s way, a brilliant scrum yielded a penalty for Tring. Replacement scrum-half Oliver Green took a quick tap, the ball going through the back’s hands and eventually reaching Goss-Lambourne to score in the corner (15-18).
Tring continued to put great pressure on Sidcup within the opposition 22m but would come away empty handed. With minutes remaining in the game, the referee awarded the visitors a penalty try (15-25). Despite confusion on both sides as to the reason for the decision, it would be the final act in the match.
Tring now travel to Sudbury on Jan 21st, looking to bounce back from the defeat.

Final score at Cow Lane, 15-25.

MOTM: George Hayes

Tries: Stanford, Goss-Lambourne

Cons: Hogan

Pens: Hogan