Match Report Archive
Sevenoaks 8 Sutton & Epsom 12
19 Jan 2011
The first piece of quality in this game came from Harry Rugg who kicked long and true, deep into enemy territory to place his forwards five yards from the Sutton and Epsom (S and E) try line. The real story to be told with regards to this game however, was not the sweet football skills of the Sevenoaks backs but the character and determination shown across the team.
The first half served as a starter for the main course which was to follow in the second half. Sutton and Epsom were much improved from last season when they were in deficit by 40+ points in the corresponding fixture. The S and E coach would have had this heavy defeat on his mind as he prepared for this encounter on Sevenaoks soil. He prepared his team well. They were stronger and better organised than last season, were inventive in the backs and determined from the start. However, first blood went to Sevenoaks. Riley hit a midfield ruck with critical mass, Cook delivered the ball to Rugg who cleverly exploited the space behind the S and E defence, Kharg waited for the bobbing ball to bounce up into his hands, showed great judgment in resisting the temptation to knock the ball on and allowed Cormack to gather the ball and score the first five points (5-0).
A further three points were added to the score when Cook converted from a good distance to give Sevenoaks an eight point lead. Cormack was again in action when he stopped a certain try as S and E shook the journey out of their boots and began to respond to Sevenoaks early lead. Kharg, more streamlined as a result of a visit to the hairdressers, produced the finest piece of individual running in the game when he burst out of his 22 on a sixty yard run on sticky, slippery ground that Sevenoaks were unable to convert into points. A score at this point in the game may have broken S and E morale. However, the reverse was true, S and E responded and ran at Sevenoaks and produced the proverbial ‘rabbit out of the hat’, ‘something out of nothing’. They sent the ball skipping along their back line to the outside centre who evaded the critical first tackle went around the Sevenaoks defence and put his team on the score sheet. This was a disappointing score to concede as S and E did not really have to disrupt the defence and work through the phases and highlights the importance of the first tackle. Oaks did not learn the lesson however, and it was not long before the S and E winger sold a clever dummy to the Oak’s midfield and ran directly through the middle of the Oaks defence for their second score. HT (S & E 12 – Oaks 8).
The Sevenaoks coach gave a rousing second half team talk and quite simply told the Oaks team to ‘enjoy the game’, ‘run at the opposition’, ‘take it to them’,’ do not let your heads drop simply because you have conceded’. Oaks responded to this and Dinsmore collected an early S and E clearance, gave a clever show to the advancing tacklers, turned inside out and with the coach’s half time spectacular ringing in his ears ran at the S and E defence on a thirty yard jolly. Renton decided to show what he could do when he also took the initiative, tapped an early penalty and again ran at the S and E defence. This was good stuff, the crowd liked it and the rest of the team responded. Unfortunately, for Sevenoaks they were not only up against a very competent team but they were also up against the elements and were playing into a very strong wind. Every time they worked hard and made good ground they were eventually turned on their heels as S and E kicked for position and pinned Oaks back in their own half. Oak’s were forced to play a rearguard action and this they did with tremendous character and tenacity, shutting up shop and repelling attack after attack. Supporters of both teams enjoyed what was the most highly enjoyable second half, which although scoreless was full of committed last gasp tackles and driving rugby as S and E were unable to overwhelm the Sevenoaks defence and claim the killer score. Sinclair especially, stood like a mighty Oak in the centre of the Oaks defence driving back any attacker who attempted to pass him and a mention must be given to Cook who ensured the second half remained 0-0 with the most entertaining of tap tackles that stopped a young man twice his size from making it over the line. However, first and foremost this was a great team performance and all the players deserve to make it into this report for the commitment and character they displayed in this game. Backs; Cormack, Kharg, Sinclair, Rugg, Cook, Martin. Forwards Rolfe, Renton, Riley, Barnes, Musker, Park, Johnson, Thurnel. Dinsmore. (Final scoreS and E 12- Sevenaoks 8).