Fri 08 Nov: Sidcup 3s 19-34 Blackheath Bandits
The Bandits got the weekends rugby underway on Friday night as they made the short trip down the road to play Sidcup 3s. The hosts are well known to the Bandits and are in the league above the Clubs social side. The fixture came about because both teams had a rest weekend yet still had plenty of players available and the floodlit game was arranged.
Playing in front of 60 plus spectators, which is a good crowd for the level, from both clubs, including a large contingent from the Blackheath Women’s team, Club got off to a strong start. Showing a good shape, the players stuck to the game plan and were soon on the scoreboard. Sidcup played with an agressive defence with great line speed, and they refused to get sucked in so the Bandits weren’t able to exploit the wide spaces with the speed of the back three as much as they were used to doing. The Bandits had to work hard but were in control for most of the first half, and were 5-17 up at half time.
It is customary for the Bandits to have a 10 minute wobble, and this game was no exception, with the shape fragmenting somewhat just after the break. Sidcup were quick to capitalise and scored twice in very quick succession. The hard work put in at the Wednesday night training sessions paid off however as the D solidified and Club went back on the attack.
The Bandits were victorious with the game ending 19-34 in their favour. The game was played in great spirit by both teams, who thoroughly enjoyed the whole occasion of the Friday Night Lights. The players and the coaching / management team were especially happy with such a good performance which, barring the little wobble, was as good as they’ve played in a long time – as you can hear here
Naturally, the beers flowed after the game and the two teams chatted about a return fixture later in the season.
The scorers were:
Tries Andy Lock (1), Tim Cetin (1), Kai Roper-Blackman (1), Hayden Riley (1), Conor Mitchell (1)
Conversions James Pierson (1), Jules Erb-Ohnemus (2)
Penalties Jules Erb-Ohnemus (1)
The Bandits team was:
15 Kai Roper-Blackman (c) *
14 James Pierson
13 Sean Collett *
12 Jules Erb-Ohnemus
11 Jonny Moore
10 Zac Bainbridge
9 Alex Laurenti
1 Tim Cetin
2 Conor Mitchell * (vc)
3 James Sheldon
4 Andrew Lock
5 Andrew Wylie
6 James Lawrenson
7 Reuben Gibbs
8 Hayden Riley *
16 Chris Bowdery
17 Neil Barton
18 Ed Bagshaw
19 Mitch Hargreaves
20 James Bonser
21 Billy Coker *
(*Blackheath Colt)
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