The Sidcot first team took on their local rivals, Winscombe Rugby Club, in the annual Hooper Cup. It was fair to say that both teams were overly eager to reclaim the monumental trophy and take control of bragging rights.
The Sidcot boys took to the game with confidence in abundance, following some successful and promising performances thus far this season. It didn't take long for the likes of the Hawkins boys or front row duo Rafig Aliasgarov and Louis Parker-Mills to put out their statement of intent with some crunching tackles.
The first half lived up to the hype of the annual meet, with the scores level at 12-12 going into the break. It was end to end excitement for the mass crowd that gathered down at the Winscombe Rec, with what seemed to be a large turn out from local residents and members of the local rugby club.
If the first crowd thought that the first half was exciting, then they really didn't know was in store for the second half. The challenge was slightly harder this time, as Sidcot faced the gruelling challenge of playing up hill against a very physical Winscombe pack, albeit Winscombe didn't appear to make much use of the extra five pound per player.
Impressive kicking displays throughout the game from Henry Hawkins and Billy Lindsay saw Sidcot back line's Lennon Coles, Albert Chung and Oliver Chatting bursting into plenty of space in and behind the Winscombe line, but it wasn't enough to keep the opposition out.
at 24-12 down, going into the last 15 minutes, Sidcot felt as though they should have had a penalty try when a kick chase from Lindsay ended in an opposition player making contact off the ball and denying Lindsay from regathering and scoring under the posts.
Moments later, another try was disallowed after the referee deemed Sidcot to unlawfully strip the ball at the ruck from yet another Lindsay kick-chase, before crashing over the line.
As the full-time whistle echoed across the foggy Rec, Sidcot were left questioning what else they could have thrown at their opposition in order to regain the Hooper Cup, but quite frankly, they had nothing more to give.
With this in mind, it cannot go amiss that Sidcot displayed a variety of values in which the school pride themselves on. The togetherness, the adventurous and confident game-play, the passion and commitment to a cause that the boys collectively care about.
Myself and the PE Faculty would just like to thank all of the players for giving it their all and representing the school with pride, character and passion.
Matty Lock
1st XV Rugby Head Coach
