Archive Match Reports
Academy hold Park
02 Feb 2009
Considering the bitter conditions and barely playable pitch both sides excelled to produce an entertaining contest. The Sevenoaks pack started well with Palmer and Naismith carrying aggressively through the gain line. Peters tested the defence with an early break and had a solid all-round game at centre.
Before Westcombe Park could play themselves into the match Field collected a poor kick at pace and fed winger Weeks who skipped inside a couple of tackles to score under the posts. Field converted and he and Simpson also kicked well out of hand to keep turning the defence. Newport had a couple of chances running wide but ran out of space. The home pack finally got into gear and drove up the middle of the pitch but their effort was more laboured than dynamic.
Crane, Barry and Barden-Edwards worked hard in defence to bottle things up. Weeks had a further chance but was tackled short before offloading. Park benefited from a series of penalties to get close but a tremendous defensive effort from the Sevenoaks pack held out three major drives for the line.
The second half was more evenly contested. The home side now had the wind and the slope but the main blasts still came from Palmer and Naismith. Park missed the only penalty kicked at goal all game and didn't look able to score through their backs. Maydon tidied well at the lineout but Oaks lost some power when Gaskill pulled a fetlock and had to leave the field.
A couple of penalties later and Park were battering at the line again eventually pulling level when the scrumhalf found a gap. Oaks were short of relief so when Selwood left the field by ambulance with a neck injury Gaskill limped back on. The determination was exemplary and so was Day's competence at fullback. He almost scored in the dying minutes after linking with Eakins. Selwood was hospitalised overnight for further examination. Sevenoaks are improving week by week and are looking for a strong second half of season as they prepare for a major tour to Argentina.