Match Report Archive
Kent Rugby Preliminary rounds
14 Mar 2010
Venue Dartford Rugby Club
Famous for its bridge, its Rolling Stone and junction 2 of the M25 Dartford is a town that would not be on most peoples’ ‘50 places to visit before they die list’. For the Sevenoaks rugby squad, however, the trip to Dartford was eagerly anticipated as the preliminary rounds of the under 15 Kent cup provided the opportunity to prove that they are the best team in Kent. In the past, The Kent Championships have not been a happy hunting ground for this particular Sevenoaks squad. Incredibly, they have never even reached the final of the competition and have come to be known as the semi final kings. Would this year be any different?
Sidcup 0 Sevenoaks 24
Each match in this competition consists of two 8 minute halves. Take out time for treating injuries, taking conversions, forming line out and scrums and you are left with approximately five minutes of action in each half. Therefore, the pace is frenetic, mistakes are costly and in a tight game ,a dropped pass or missed opportunity can cost you the game.
However, this first match was not a tight game. Despite an untidy start, Sevenoaks rolled over Sidcup with ease. Karg shone in the early stages of this match. From a tight position, he executed a long kick parallel to the touchline and Sidcup were under the cosh. Dropped passes meant that tries were not immediately forthcoming. But the Sevenoaks faithful were not kept waiting too long as Briggs fed Karg out on the wing and sheer pace proved enough to beat the Sidcup defence. Briggs was again involved as he fed Perrera Slater who decided to go himself but was stopped short. The ball was quickly recycled and fancy footwork from Sevenoaks star full back proved too dainty for the Sidcup defence. Harris received a pat on the back from Coach Rugg for scoring the try and a slap on the wrist for missing the conversion in front of the posts. (10-0).
Sevenoaks were again in charge as the forwards won a ruck approximately 15 metres from the Sidcup line. Whilst Scott was considering his options, Leahy ran out of patience, picked up the ball and powered forward. Sidcup were offside and again it was a forward who took the initiative as Renton powered over . Cook was now in charge of conversions and slotted home in front of the posts. (17-0). Leahy full of hustle and bustle was next to score after a super ghosting run down the line by Karg. Cook converts 24-0
Final score 24-0
Scorers: Karg, Harris, Renton Leahy
Conversions: Cook 2
Sevenoaks: 12 Sheppey : 5
The second and final game in Sevenoaks pool was against the unfancied and on this showing vastly underrated Sheppey side. Sevenoaks reputation as a very good rugby team goes before them and they must understand that teams will be ‘up’ for it and determined to give a good account of themselves when facing quality opposition. Conversely, Sevenoaks have to guard against complacency and in this game, it is fair to say that Sevenoaks treated Sheppey too lightly. As a result they were shockingly bad in the early encounters. Tackles were either half hearted or non- existent and from a penalty in the Oak’s 22 Sheppey tapped and drove through a limp wristed defence over the try line (0-5). Indeed, Sevenoaks were lucky not to concede another as from a powerful run the Sheppey centre was only held up by some frantic last gasp defending. It was Joss Morgan who was the first to stir himself into action when like a raging bull he charged into the Sheppey defence shrugging off one tackle then another, only being brought to a snorting, grinding halt with half the Sheppey team either draped round his shoulders or clamped to his lower limbs. From the ensuing ruck Sheppey were judged to be off-side and the quick thinking Rupert Harris raced in to take a quick tap penalty. Speed of thought and body wrong footed the Sheppey defence, the overlap was created and it was Perrere-Slater who gave Karg a straightforward run into the corner. From the touchline, against the wind, and up the hill Will Cook converted the conversion of the season to put Sevenoaks in front (7-5). The Sevenoaks faithful gasped with relief.
The consensus at half time was that the Oaks forwards were being given a good pasting by their opponents and needed to wake up and start mixing it with this determined Sheppey pack. After the break the forwards duly delivered what they promised but the backs did not. The ball was won and a series of chances were created for the Sevenoaks attack but with gaps appearing and overlaps being created the final killer pass was not being delivered and the score line worryingly stayed at 7-5. At this point, a Sheppey score of any kind would have probably put Sevenoaks out of the tournament. As it was, it was Sevenoaks who managed the final score when Briggs took another good attacking line and released Karg who again finished in style. Despite the win this performance was disappointing and further compounded by an injury to Harry Rugg that put him out of the rest of the tournament.
John Rugg a lover of all things Saxon summed up the match as follows; ‘XXXX XXXXXX XXXX’. Nevertheless, Sevenoaks were through to the quarter finals.
Final Score
Sevenoaks 12 Sheppey 5
Quarter Final
Sevenoaks 5 Westcombe Park 3
When this current cohort of players was in their early years, Westcombe Park dominated and won the Kent Championships on several occasions. Sevenoaks were soon to find out that Westcombe Park were still a fine rugby team and were to provide the sternest of tests.
The first half of this game was perhaps most clearly remembered by the fact that nothing much really happened. Both teams were fired up and played and attacked with verve but neither attack were able to break the others defence. As a result most of the first half was a stalemate and played in the middle third of the field. Both sets of supporters were tense, anticipating that this match could be decided by something as small as a knock on or minor infringement. Sevenoaks had the slope and the wind in their favour in the first half so with the score 0-0 at half time and Westcombe Park showing no real weaknesses the Sevenoaks supporters were a little uncomfortable as the second half got underway.
Within seconds of the second half starting both the minor infringement and the moment of brilliance were forthcoming, unfortunately neither were to Sevenaoks advantage. Westcombe Park were deep in Sevenoaks half when the Oaks forwards were judged to have ‘gone over’ at the ruck. From the touchline just outside the 22, the kick was beautifully struck and directed through the posts (0-3). A feeling of de ja vu swept over supporters and players alike as minds were cast back to last years event when Sevenoaks were knocked out by a similar kick in the closest of contests.
Tension mounted and the crowd were hushed as the seconds on the clocked ticked by and Sevenoaks looked for an opening in this most robust of defences. However, Westcombe Park showed no sign of yielding and as each attack was repelled, and each second passed Sevenoaks exit from the competition began to look more certain. However, this side consists of more than just talent and when easy tries born out of skill and talent are not forthcoming the side is able to dig deep and show a strength of character and resolve that carries it through its most difficult moments.
Oaks were deep in enemy territory when the referee awarded a scrum to Westcombe Park which would prove to be the final play. This was a big ask. Not only had they to take one against the head but also had to score in this final passage of play or face the agony of yet another disappointment. Coach Rugg sent on Musker for this final scrum. Whether this was an act of coaching genius or desperation is for others to decide, but Musker clipped himself on to the scrum and the sides engaged. Westcombe Park only had to win possession kick the ball dead to go through to the semi-final. But deep in the heart of this scrum, unseen and silent in his resolve Leahy had other ideas. Nobody can really see what the front row get up to, least of all the hooker who in his enclosed world does battle with his opposite number. This final little head to head, this little one on one would decide whether Oaks would have one last chance of snatching victory. Against the odds and with the help of a pack still full of desire Leahy delivered and the ball was put at Cooks disposal.
He swiftly sent the ball out to Scott who in turn passed it on at pace to Briggs. Briggs then spun it on to Perrera-Slater who was unable to gather the ball. Cntrary to Newtonian physics but in accordance with Planck’s quantum theory, where matter can theoretically be in two places at once, Briggs collected his own pass and stormed towards the line. Briggs must have been going exceptionally fast as time slowed down and the crowd crouched in anticipation of the final act. The Cranbrook defence drifted over and attempted to smother Briggs who failed in his first attempt to ground the ball but held on tightly to twist round and ground the ball at the second attempt. The match was over and supporters and players alike spontaneously combusted. Sevenoaks were through to the semi-final.
Final score
Westcombe Park 3 Sevenoaks 5
Semi final
Cranbrook 0 v Sevenoaks 7
Cranbrook are the current Kent Champions and were Oaks only stumbling block this season when a great match resulted in a 10-10 draw. The Sevenoaks boys would have to be on top form to go through in a match that again was anticipated to be won on the most tight of margins. Coach Leahy prepared the team well with a full scale warm up and Coach Rugg urged his players to give there all in this final push for glory. As one, they replied “Nos morituri te salutamus” or words to that effect and trotted off to begin the match.
What a 16 minute game of rugby this proved to be. With the elements in their favour in the first half Cranbrook knew they had to score or face a very difficult second half. Consequently Sevenoaks faced a barrage of attacks in the first half and the defence stood firm. During this period of play there were some great moments from individual players that although not leading to scoring opportunities gave impetus to the Sevenoaks cause and disrupted Cranbrooks attempts to make that all important score. Scott tackled cleanly around the legs and stopped his opposite number in his tracks on many occasions, Will Cook bravely and skilfully picked up and ran at the hulking Cranbrook forwards and made good ground. Renton caught at the line out and drove on. Lessops stole the ball in the ruck. Karg kicked perfectly out of defence the ball going very long and just making touch. All these little moments although not leading to scoring opportunities disrupted , delayed and ultimately frustrated Cranbrook in the first half and gave Sevenoaks a platform on which to attack Cranbrook in the second period of the match. The pressure would have really been put on Cranbrook if Cook had managed to convert a penalty from about thirty metres out against the wind. The ball was well struck and had the legs but went just wide. Nevertheless, a good solid performance from Oaks in the first half.
The scene was set. Would Sevenoaks finally get the break and deservedly take their place in the final of Kent Championships? The second half was underway and almost immediately Scott took advantage of the elements and put in the most important of kicks from his 22 that sailed deep into enemy territory and put the pressure firmly on Cranbrook. Oaks won the line out and Joss Morgan drove on. From the ruck the ball was spun wide and Craddock was held up just short. A try line melee ensued with ruck and counter ruck. Eventually won by Sevenoaks the ball was span to the other side of the pitch where Scott delivered a high looping pass that had the look of interception all over it but was well directed and found its way to Karg who again ghosted down the line round the defence and under the posts. Cook converted and Oaks were in the driving seat. (7-0)
Cranbrook would however not give up. Their talented scrum half delivered a high, hanging restart that gave the Cranbrook forwards the time to get under the ball and on to Renton who caught cleanly but was driven back. This is where the remaining minutes of this game would take place as Cranbrook unleashed all their ferocity on the Sevenoaks defence. Cranbrook were awarded penalty after penalty in this period of play and continually drove at the Sevenoaks defence. Oaks responded and would not yield. Their defence and tackling were superb as time and time again they repelled Cranbrook who several times grounded the ball just inches short of the line. On one such penalty the irresistible force met the immovable mountain as Keevis bravely ran forward and met the Cranbrook forward head on in a collision that was seismic in nature and symbolic of the determination and fighting spirit of the whole of the Sevenoaks team. The final whistle did eventually sound and at last Sevenoaks had come out on top and were heading for the final of the County Championships.
Final score; Sevenoaks 7 Cranbrook 0
Scorers. Chris Karg
Conversion Will Cook
Congratulations to the coaches and players of Sevenoaks including all the squad who took part in this tournament and all those players who had the disappointment of not being selected for the preliminary round. This achievement belongs to all of you who take part in training and contribute to the development of the squad. You are part of one of the most talented teams in the county and most of you would be first choice for most of the teams who were at this competition today. Well done to all of you!!!
Next week Sevenoaks will face Bromley in the final of the Kent Cup.