Match Report Archive

Sevenoaks 42 - Sutton & Epsom 0

06 Dec 2009

 

Fourteen weeks into the season the mighty Sevenoaks under 15 rugby squad ventured across the Kent border into leafy Surrey in anticipation of only their fourth game of the season. Unbeaten in full 15 a side club rugby matches for over two years the boys were looking to test themselves, eager to know just how good they are.

The weather in Surrey was much nicer than Kent, the sun shone, the pitch was flat and firm, the scene was set. The start was inauspicious. For the umpteenth time this season, the kick off was received and dropped by Sevenoaks and Epsom went close with a miscued drop kick (more about drop kicks later).  This opening salvo from Epsom turned out to be there best effort of the day, for the remainder of the match a well organised, good Epsom team, had their hands full coping with a one hour onslaught from the Sevenoaks rugby machine. 

Momentum built slowly as early try scoring opportunities were squandered. Each time Sevenoaks came close to the try line the ball was either dropped, a penalty was conceded or they seemed a trifle slow and were squeezed into touch.  Epsom were not going to be bowled over and it was necessary to disrupt their defence through several phases of play in order to create the opening. The first try came through such a move. The Sevenoaks forwards, spearheaded by George Leahy worked the short side through three to four phases, Rugg fed Leahy and Rory went over in the corner (5-0).  Straight from the restart Scott jumped bravely to win the ball and then box kicked up to the Epsom twenty two. O’Reilly was on the full back in a flash, the ball was won, spun wide and Slater polished of a pacey move (10-0).

For the rest of the first period of play Epsom could not break out of their half. They were continually pinned back by Ruggs accurate kicking and it was Rugg who set up another try with a brilliantly executed long pass out to Slater, who drew his marker leaving Craddock to finish the move (15-0). Sinclair was next to excite the visiting Sevenoaks entourage with a powerful  40 yard driving run, breaking tackle after tackle Sinclair was finally stopped, the ball popped out of the ruck, Alex Rolf caught well and fed the hungry backs. Craving action, Harris joined the movement and went over to score.  Half time 20-0.

Now playing with the elements it was Epsom’s chance to show what they could do. Unfortunately they simply did not have the game, time or wherewithal to cope with the strength, power and speed of the Sevenoaks machine.  Renton instigated the first score of the second period when he caught well at an early line out, rumbled towards the line, then went to ground with the full support of the Sevenoaks pack.  It was Leahy who picked up from the back of the ruck and there was simply ‘no stopping him’ .  Will Cook struck the conversion well and after much debate between Lee Barnes and John Rugg they informed the ref that the ball was converted (27-0).

It was at roughly this point that Harry Rugg had his Jonny Wilkinson moment. With Sevenoaks winning a scrum on the twenty two, Harry stood well back. Cook obliged with a swift accurate pass and the crowd drew breath. Harry, balanced and composed dropped the ball and majestically pulled the trigger. The ball was driven firmly towards the uprights but unfortunately did not climb above the bar.  Hard luck Harry! No criticism from anyone. The day will come when Sevenoaks need those three points to win a game and this attempt can go down as useful dress rehearsal for that moment.

However, this did mark the beginning of a lull in the action and an untidy period of the match. Epsom continued to battle and Sevenoaks lost their rhythm. However, this was the lull before the storm and in the last ten minutes Sevenoaks were rampant. New boy Matt Hilden charged down brilliantly and went on to score (32 -0).  Then from the resulting kick off -magnum opus-Sevenoaks finest moment of the season was upon us.   Tom Scott caught a deep restart and set the Sevenoaks fifteen in motion, first side stepping  the Epsom defence to break out of the twenty two and exquisitely supply Slater who set off on a dazzling run before switching the ball inside. The ball was moved from player to player at pace (If you were involved in this move, well done it was brilliant and I apologise for not mentioning you) it was the ultimate team try executed so quickly through so many pairs of hands that it was too difficult to record everyones contribution on a name by name, pass by pass basis) . Indeed, for a moment the distinction between sport and art was lost as Harris in accordance with the poetry of the team movement danced around the last line of defence. The coaches purred with delight and the game was all but over(37-0), but not quite. Musker found time to put his mark on the match with a fine try in the closing seconds. Final score 42-0.

It was a happy posse of supporters, players and parents who retired to the bar to refresh themselves and discuss a great team performance. It was not long however before thoughts turned towards next week when a further trip is planned to Surrey,  to take on what will undoubtedly be much tougher opposition. Will it be next week when the boys really do find out how good they are?

Scorers

Rory, Slater, Harris 2, Musker, Hilden, Leahy, Craddock.

Conversion; Cook

     

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