Sittingbourne stun, Deacons devastated.

Deacons vs Sittingbourne 2’s Match Report

Deacons 12- 48 Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne stun, Deacons devastated.

The urge to get back on the pitch after a month without any rugby was clear.

With both of our community rugby sides down to play at home there was a worry we might be stretched for players although it turned out to be the opposite & we readied a full squad made up of the C4 CCCU boys, UKC cohort, Gam Esan joining us from Colts for his first senior game, regular Deacons & recent recruit Alasdair Kite – new to the team, but not the game!

On paper and in practise the squad was one of the strongest teams we’ve fielded in a while & we know Sittingbourne are a fiercely competitive and very well trained squad who like to turn up when we play them.

The first 10 minutes was an arm wrestle. With both sides making advances and defending well. Deacons trying to shut down the space quickly to avoid the Sittingbourne forwards building momentum, and in reply moving the ball wide in attack.

Once again the different Deacons line up took some time to gel having not all played together before, meanwhile Sittingbourne’s set plays and movements with the ball in hand looked straight off the training pitch.

The away side drew first blood with a converted try, a chance to gather breath and reset for us. It wasn’t bad, just a couple of things that needed tidying up & we’d be straight back in the game. That was the plan anyway…..

The next 25 minutes or so were really tough to swallow. When we got close to the Sittingbourne try line we couldn’t turn it into points, when we should’ve been clear and in, the referee called us back for some bizarre calls & getting past Sittingbournes defences was like pushing cooked spaghetti through a marshmallow. Lots of effort for little reward.

On the other side, the visitors were enjoying having been smiled upon by fortune, with the official not seemingly in a position to see various knock on’s, offsides and off feet infringements the run of play quickly went Bournes way with the Deacons struggling to gain and maintain any sort of possession.

We ended the first half at 0-29, more than a little shell shocked having conceded a couple of really soft tries in the run up.

Halftime Haribo, subs on and some spirited words from Limmer (available for motivational speaking roles from May).

It would be a monumental challenge to come back against such experienced opponents but the boys were revved up and ready to take it to the visitors as the second half began.

Almost instantly from kick off the City team went at it. Moving the ball around effectively and releasing Gam Esan to score (on his debut) using his phenomenal pace – we’re hoping to keep him away from the other sides in the club but I’m sure he’ll be playing further up the club before long.

Dan Head returned to the fold to kick the extras and we were off the mark after an excruciating wait.

The second half settled down with much of the match going the way of the first half. Even when Bourne had suffered a yellow we didn’t manage to capitalise. They were able to tot up some more points getting across the try line regularly.

With just under 10 to go, after sustained pressure Canterbury went over the white wash once more courtesy of Will Wheeler Edwards, returning to rugby and to form after some time away.

Spirits were still high & the Deacons were still playing hard. Terrell was carrying well and devastating through the middle. Millsy steadied up the second half scrum & Hayden Prett was almighty across the pitch for the full 80.

With 4 minutes left it looked as if we were going to get over again & reliably, almost habitually something changed which saw a penalty awarded against us.

Sittingbourne capitalised with their final try of the game ending a high scoring 2nd half 12-48. Not representative of the almighty efforts of the Deacons it was a really painful defeat for a side who have experienced more than their fair share this season.

Notwithstanding the 21 points gifted to them, Sittingbourne showed us how well organised and experienced they are & the importance of not missing tackles.

On a different note – Sittingbourne fielded a team with a father playing with 2 of his sons.

Congratulations to the Duffield men – absolute quality and we are pleased to share in your achievements. Well done boys, fantastic you could share the pitch together.

Hayden Prett was out POTM and he left with a Chicken Fajita pot noodle for all of his efforts.

And an honorable mention to Alasdair Kite who had an immense game having recently joined us. Can’t wait to have him back again.

We’re away to Deal on the 21st March, 4 games remain of the season to end it on a high.

We go again 💪