Deacons show heart as experience prevails

Deacons vs Sittingbourne 2’s Match Report

Fast starting Sittingbourne demonstrate experience is as important as youthfulness.

After 5 games in a row, injuries and a lack of Colts availability changed the nature of the squad. Up stepped the boys from CCCU, despite a number of them having played earlier in the week.

Captained by Brad Nicholson the youngsters encountered a very experienced, wiley & fired up Sittingbourne. The opposition had a plan and made a fast start, running hard lines & making full use of a forward pack that play and train together regularly. Every aspect of the Deacons defence was being tested relentlessly.

With several players playing out of their usual position it took a half to settle into the game. By then, at 33 points down we knew there was a mountain to climb.
Several regulars played with incredible passion and desire – Tom Smith (returning from injury), Oli Turton getting stopped a few metres short of the try line, our very own Big Lol narrowly missing out on a try & debutant Deacon Jasper Emmanuel stepping off his usual flank to have a spectacular game at 12.

Occasionally we needed some luck, and we didn’t have any on the day. The boys from Bourne weren’t willing to let us play and worked hard to retain the ball. When we had the ball we could challenge, play wide and came close to scoring and each time we entered the opposition 22. Credit to Sittingbourne for the work over the ball & on the floor to retrieve & retain possession, some of it legal.

Once again, the Deacons resolve and discipline shone. Heads never dropped & tempers didn’t flair even when mistakes were made. Despite the scoreline, the second half belonged to us as we made life difficult for the home side frustrating them into mistakes and penalties. We finished 59 – 0 working tirelessly for every minute to get some points on the board.

For outstanding leadership, solo running, kicking from hand & defence, POTM was awarded to our Loosehead Prop Mr Brad Nicholson.