In very windy conditions Havant were looking to extend their winning run against Sidcup who sit just above them in the table. The teams have proved very evenly matched in the last few seasons and this game proved to be no different.

Playing into the very strong breeze the home side did well to play controlled rugby and keep the pressure on Sidcup throughout the opening period. Whilst the visitors used the breeze to keep Havant pinned in their own half it was the hooks lane squad that were playing the more controlled rugby.

The forwards were working hard to keep moving forward around the fringes with scrum-half Grant Morris barking intructions and the outstanding Joe Davis to the fore. When Havant did move the ball wide they were guilty of kicking poorly and against the wind it was difficult to gain ground.

Sidcup were guilty of inaccuracies of their own as the last pass to the winger let them down on a number of occasions.

Havant finally broke into Sidcup territory through strong running by the midfield pairing of Joel Knight and James Read. Winger Darren Bamford, in his first game this season, was coming into the game more and more and was unlucky to be held up metres short after a fine run.

Against the run of play Sidcup gained a foot hold in the Havant half and from a 5m scrum worked a set piece move to put their winger through for the opening score with just seconds to play in the opening period.

Half-time: Havant 0 Sidcup 5

Havant lost lock forward Richard Janes to the sin bin early the second half for pulling the maul down and Sidcup were able to exploit their numerical advantage at a 5m scrum as their No.8 broke from the base to score.

Havant and Sidcup then both lost a player to yellow cards. Grant Morris was adjudged to have blocked an opponent and received several punches to the head for his efforts.

Sidcup kicked well to the corner and from a well constructed line out drive scored their third try.

Havant hit back with a score of their own from Steve Cruddas but were unable to close the gap any further.

Havant Coach Will Knight felt his side deserved more,

“That was another close game against a good Sidcup outfit. They deserved their win because they took their chances better than we did.”
“I felt we might grab a losing bonus at the end but it wasn’t to be. We were guilty of some silly mistakes in the first half which gave momentum back to them when we were in control.”

“In these games you don’t always get too many chances so you have to score when they come along.”

Havant travel to Charlton Park next week before looking forward to a Hampshire Cup semi-final at home to Basingstoke the following week.