Match Report Archive
Sevenoaks 12, Bromley 10
24 Jan 2010
Sevenoaks U16’s won a narrow victory over Bromley in their first game of 2010. The five-week break since their last game was evident as the Oaks came under immediate and sustained pressure deep in their own half. Some of this was self-inflicted as passes failed to go to hand and the Oaks were slow to the breakdowns. Bromley capitalised on their territorial advantage and took the lead through a converted try. Though there were occasional attacking forays by the Oaks, it was Bromley who ended the half more strongly extending their lead to 10 – 0 with a penalty.
In the second half, Sevenoaks began to find their form and despite a missed penalty attempt were able to maintain possession and pressure through several phases of play. After a series of drives to the line by the forwards, the ball was moved wide and the Oaks three-quarters worked an overlap that resulted in an unconverted try for Jack Louth. By now deep into the final quarter, the Oaks were the dominant force and despite another missed penalty shot, the forwards were taking control of the scrum. From an attacking five-metre scrum, Bertie Sparks skilfully controlled the ball at the rear until the scrum advanced sufficiently for him to touch down for a try just to the left of the posts. With the scores level, Tommy Fuller converted to give the Oaks a slender two-point lead.
The Oaks saved their best move of the match until the final play. Bromley were attacking through their three-quarters when the ball went to ground. Will Grist recovered and counter-attacked from his own 10-metre line. Having beaten a couple of defenders, he passed inside and the ball ended up with Rob Walker who barged over for what everyone thought was a rousing finale – only for the referee to adjudge that the ball had been held up.