Thurrock 21, Sidcup 23

JUST a few yards of thin air separated Thurrock from a second victory of the season in a hard-fought and tit-for-tat encounter at Oakfield on Saturday (1 February).

With just one win from their endeavours this season in the London & South east Division Regional 2 South East Thurrock were very much the underdogs against second-placed Sidcup, who had overwhelmed them 46-15 in the corresponding fixture at Crescent Farm in October.

However, Thurrock were quick out of the traps and had their visitors on the backfoot right from the off and they surged into a 14-0 lead.

Sidcup gradually eased their way back into the game as Thurrock began to run out of steam and also showed a lack of game management by frequently turning over the ball or conceded penalties in and around the breakdown.

However, the hosts never gave up and in the closing stages of the match scored a try that put them in touching distance of a remarkable win and when they were awarded a penalty, with just seconds to go, Henry Bird had the chance to kick them to a famous victory. However, though he struck the kick from between the 22 and halfway well, it drifted agonisingly to the left of the posts and the chance was lost.

Thurrock had opened the scoring in the sixth minute, spinning the ball along the line and setting up the chance for harry Reynolds to dive over right in the corner. Bird struck a superb conversion.

And within five minutes Thurrock increased the lead with another flowing move involving backs and forwards, culminating in Rob Murphy taking the ball at pace and crashing over the line. Again, Burd kicked the extras.

There was almost a sense of disbelief around Oakfield but the lead was thoroughly deserved.

But Sidcup are nothing if not resilient and, coupled with some favourable refereeing decisions and Thurrock indiscipline they began to get back into the match.

In the 24th minute they got their first score, winning a lineout on the left close to the line but instead of a forward press they spun the ball inside and an enterprising long pass from Sebastian Ellison opened up a huge amount of space for Louis Keeley to collect and run the ball over. Keeley couldn't cap his superlative pass with the conversion though.

Watch the whole match here:-

More frailty in possession and a spilled ball led to Sidcup's second try in the 34th minute when the home defence parted to concede a try and this time Keeley kicked the extras from in front of the posts.

The momentum was with Sidcup and it wasn't long before they took the lead when Sam Leak broke a tackle to cross. Keeley failed the with conversation, but Sidcup took a 17-14 lead into the break.

It didn't take them long to extend it after the restart when Thurrock were once again penalised for offside, and Keeley added another three.

Fifteen minutes into the half another successful penalty opened up a nine-point gap and it seemed Sidcup were firmly in the ascendency.

However, Thurrock mounted a considerable rearguard effort and kept their visitors at bay and gradually pushed them back onto the defensive.

It became Sidcup's turn to defend desperately against late Thurrock pressure and in the last few minutes of the game they cracked and determination by the forwards was capped by Dritan Loka'slunge and dive over the line. Bird kicked and the hosts were on the cusp of something remarkable.

What seemed improbable became possible when, with elapsed time expired, they won a penalty.

Bird stepped up to take on the challenge but sadly could find the dream finish and hope turned to disappointment - but this was a performance Thurrock can be rightly proud of.

Thurrock are next in action with a league trip to Medway on Saturday. 15 February.