Match Report Archive
Sevenoaks 22 - Dorking 0
13 Dec 2009
If you are reading this article and know nothing about rugby let me explain. Rugby is the ultimate team game. The rugby team is roughly divided into two sets of players. These being, ‘The forwards’ who hunt, grunt, shunt and take knock after knock in order to win the ball and ‘the backs’ who gratefully receive the ball and run with speed, flair and dexterity through or around the opposition -without messing up their hair. Within the Sevenoaks under 15 team the distinction is blurred, as both ‘sections’ of the team have an abundance of strength, speed’, skill and for that matter -smart haircuts. Each and every player within the squad has courage, bravery and heart and is prepared to put his body on the line for the sake of the team and once again they were too good for the opposition.
Dorking under 15’s are one of the best sides in Surrey, playing and doing well in Surrey’s premier league. However, a first half display by Sevenoaks literally and metaphorically knocked the Dorking side off their feet. The elements were mildly in Sevenoaks favour in the first half as a light breeze - blew down the gently sloping pitch. From the outset the Dorking side were under pressure as Perera –Slater kicked deep into the Dorking half and forced an early line out. It was in enemy territory that Sevenoaks were to play the remainder of the first half. Attempted clearances by Dorking were generally poor and failed to reach touch or at least gain any significant ground.
It was from one such early clearance that the first try came. Dorking kicked clear but were immediately back under the cosh as Sevenoaks caught cleanly and the ball was switched between Harris and Perera-Slater. The change in the angle of the counter attack wrong footed the Dorking defence, Perera-Slater drew his man and passed to Karg who showed pace and flair as he went on a forty yard weaving run that culminated in Sevenoaks first try of the morning. Harris converted (7-0).
From the resulting kick off Sevenoaks dropped the ball but soon recovered. Sinclair was again in great from, difficult to stop, he made many telling, driving runs, punching his way up the middle of the field. Indeed, it was Sinclair who caught well at a line out that led to Sevenoaks second try. Scott whisked the ball out to Perera -Slater who again set Karg on a scintillating run that left the Dorking defence for dead. (12-0) Next it was Perera –Slater who found himself in possession with the time and space to lead the Dorking defence on a merry dance, first darting one way then another with the only real contact coming too close to the line to prevent Perera-Slater from powering over (17-0).
It was George Leahy who was next to set the game alight-making a mockery of the ‘forward stereotype’ he showed great pace, slicing through the Dorking defence on a 50 yard run that ended in a pass that unfortunately did not match the quality of what went before. It was not long however, before the next score. Great forward play put the Dorking defence under pressure, the ball was on the floor and Rugg opportunistically hacked on and won the race to apply downward pressure on the ball as it crossed the try line(22-0).
At half time Sevenoaks rotated the squad and the supporters of both teams waited to see if Dorking would either crumble or mount a determined fight back. The latter proved to be the case as the Dorking team put Sevenoaks on the defensive for the remainder of the game. Sevenoaks were under pressure at the ruck and scrum and the stable platform was not there to set the backs loose in the second half. During this period the Sevenoaks defence was put to the test and a it was only a magnificent effort from the front five of Thurnell, Rolfe, Leahy ,Sinclair and Renton and tireless work by the back row of Park, Musker and Lessops that kept scoring opportunities to a minimum. When Dorking did eventually cross the line it was Mick Thurnell who prevented the try by putting his body between ball and ground to prevent the try.
So as they say-‘it was a game of two halves’. Sheer brilliance from the Sevenoaks backs in the first half and gutsy, hard defending from a determined pack in the second. For two successive Sundays against quality opposition Sevenoaks have not conceded a point. This squad has real quality in abundance and requires quality opposition. It was noted in the refreshment area after the match that this team has one more season together after the current season and will then be assimilated into the under 18 academy set up. Perhaps now it is the time to seek out and test this team against the very best in their age group.
Scorers
Karg 2
Perera- Slater
Rugg
Conversions Harris