Following a disappointing showing by Tring at Sidcup earlier in the season, everyone was hoping for a more competitive match and it didn’t disappoint. However, with the Christmas period affecting availability, both sides arrived with a skeleton crew of 16 men.
The game started well but there were soon changes to both sides following a bang to the shoulder for a Sidcup player and some friendly fire to the eye socket of Cameron McPhail from Chris Rose’s elbow in the first scrum. This saw both sides use their only sub…
A few minutes later Sidcup had the opportunity to punish Tring for some early indiscipline with a penalty just outside the 22, but luckily for Tring, it sailed just wide.
The next few minutes saw more post-Christmas carnage with the Sidcup 9 leaving the field with a twisted knee following being cleared from a ruck. While it was briefly 15 on 14, the numbers were soon even again as Toby O’Gorman tweaked his hamstring catching a wide ball which would have otherwise seen him make some serious ground.
With 20 minutes gone it was still 0-0 with both sides adjusting to a few new combinations. Sidcup then had a 5m lineout from another Tring Penalty but a great steal from Lewis Cox saw their territory come to nothing as Will Mitchell characteristically kicked the ball clear.
With play now at Sidcup’s end, a solid Tring scrum saw the ball make its way to the centres where Nick Arnell put Jack Doodson home untouched with a great wide pass. 5-0. Will Mitchell added the extras. 7-0.
A great catch off the kick off saw Rich Roberts put Eddie Harrison clear for a long run but unfortunately he was then caught by the covering defence. Continued Tring pressure in the Sidcup 22 saw Eddie Harrison deliver a superbly timed and weighted wide pass to Arnell who ran in for a try on debut. 12-0. Will Mitchell was again on target with the conversion making it 14-0.
On the stroke of half time, Tring were awarded a penalty just inside their own half and to the surprise of the crowd elected for goal. Will Mitchell stepped up and despatched a cool 3 points to make it 17-0 to Tring at the midway point.
Tring started the 2nd half well, earning a 5m lineout but Sidcup defended effectively and cleared their lines.
Following his earlier try, Nick Arnell raced up the wing from the halfway line looking for another. With only one man to beat, for reasons unknown to anyone watching, the Sidcup defender decided a bolt upright tackle may work? He was was quickly shown the error of his ways and knocked into next week. Acting as a mere speed bump, he did enough to slow the Tring player down a bit, however a neat offload saw Eddie Harrison run in for the try instead. 22-0
While the Sidcup player amazingly got back to their feet and somehow carried on, Will Mitchell unfortunately missed the conversion.
The last 20 minutes was Sidcup’s turn to shine and as Tring tired, they came again and again throught the pack scoring two converted tries in quick succession. 22-14.
Tring stabilised the shift in momentum with a Will Mitchell penalty restoring the gap to 11 points with just over 15 minutes to go. 25-14.
A great Eddie Harrison break saw Rich Roberts race up the field only to be caught and turned over on the Sidcup 5m line.
With 2 minutes to go, Sidcup got their third through the forwards and made for a nervy last few. 25-21.
Tring kicked off, recovered the ball and held out until the final whistle for a well deserved but tight win.
With a great showing from a combination of regulars, returning students and last minute call ups, we now look to consolidate in our next few league games against Bishops Stortford and Fullerians before facing Harpenden 2s in the Cup on the Jan 25th.