Match Reports Archive
Sevenoaks 10 Old Reigatian 8
10 Mar 2009
Sevenoaks 10 Old Reigatian 8
On Saturday Sevenoaks welcomed high flying Old Reigatians to the paddock, keen to avenge the narrow defeat inflicted by the visitors on them earlier in the season. Fresh from two hard fought wins the Sevenoaks boys were quietly confident of producing an upset and cementing the return to form seen in recent weeks. Unfortunately Reigatians hadn't read the script and were 5-0 up within the first few minutes. A probing kick into the corner forced the Sevenoaks full back to take the ball into touch and from the resulting five metre lineout the Reigatians pack burrowed over in the corner to the disappointment of the Sevenoaks faithful.
The response from Sevenoaks however was swift and confirmed the renewed belief that is now running through the side. After a number of phases involving backs, forwards, offloads and more than one barnstorming run from wing Garcia, Sevenoaks found themselves within five metres of the whitewash. Step up the seemingly ageless ‘Peter Pan' of Sevenoaks Mark Ridout to power through the defence at close quarters to round off a great team try.
The game then settled down after this frenetic start and with the wind at their back Sevenoaks started to gain the upper hand. Sam McCorry was impressive in attack and defence on his full debut, Garcia was at his destructive best going forward, and Dan Scott was an ever present at the breakdown. Unfortunately the home side were unable to convert any of this pressure into points and the score remained 5-5 until half time.
After the re-start Reigatians continued to employ their structured game plan, kicking to the corners at every opportunity and trying to exert pressure using their heavier pack. The Sevenoaks forwards were more than up to the challenge though and with Ridout dominating his opposite man in the scrum and Hunt and Norris solid in the lineout they more than held their own. Unfortunately, a lapse in discipline led to a penalty for the away side which was knocked over the uprights to make the score 5-8. This once more spurred Sevenoaks into action and helped by the introduction of Ian Collins, returning from a long injury and looking as hungry as a peckish caveman, they hit straight back and won a very kickable penalty. Bantin's off day with the boot continued however and he was unable to convert the chance into points.
To Sevenoaks' credit they kept battling and even as the clock ran down they kept their composure and kept probing the Old Reigatians defence. The patience shown was commendable and it eventually paid dividends in a breathtaking final few minutes. Pressure from the lineout in Reigatians 22 led to a free kick for the home side which was quickly taken by Bantin. After a few phases the ball came to hooker Ed Alteirac at the base of the ruck. As a genuine athlete he is much more at home in the wide open spaces on the wing but on this occasion a gap opened up by the ruck - glory was on the phone and there was only one thing he was going to do. He picked up; scythed through the hole, beat covering defence and was over the line. The touchline erupted and the Frenchman was mobbed by ecstatic teammates. With 30 seconds to go Bantin took his time with the conversion but there was still time for one more play. Fortunately for Sevenoaks the opinionated Reigatians full back felt obliged to share his views with the referee leading to an Oaks penalty before the restart had been taken. Bantin duly smashed the ball into touch so Oaks could begin to celebrate a much deserved and hard fought victory.
The win moved Oaks into the top half of the table and was a testament to the improvement that's been seen in the team's performances over the last month. Next week they travel down to Eastbourne where they will confident of continuing their recent run of form and coming away with a win.