Archive Match Reports
Sevenoaks Acorns 24 - Gravesend III 0
8 Jan 2007
Sevenoaks Acorns storm into the New Year with a fine league win
After the festive break Sevenoaks Acorns quickly returned to their winning ways with a good league win over a strong Gravesend side, despite atrocious weather conditions. With the absence of Sherman though injury, Carling assumed the role of captain and led from the front with his trademark strong running. Unusually he failed to get on the score sheet and was lucky to complete the game after a nasty stud wound sustained in the final quarter.
Playing with the elements, Sevenoaks pounded the Gravesend line from the start. After 15 minutes of sustained pressure Gravesend’s defence was breached by Miles with a powerful charge. The try was converted by fly-half Hopkins, who had an excellent handling game and went on to add a penalty and a further two conversions to his tally.
Weather conditions dictated that Sevenoaks forwards would have to play an important part in securing the victory. No. 8 Smith led the pack and made numerous strong runs from the base of the scrum throughout the game. A short pass from Smith, on one of these charges, to birthday boy and debutant Acorn, Weakley, led to a magnificent second try under the posts.
The forward powerhouse of Mortassagne, Vizard, Shirtcliff, Emmins and Nicholson continued to pile on the pressure. The Sevenoaks pack secured all its own ball and pushed Gravesend backwards to steal a number against the head. In open play, Flanker Kelly was swift to the break downs to secure the ball to feed the backs. Despite a number of excellent runs by Gilmour, Galler, Hearn and Tai it was the second row Nicholson who went over the line to complete the scoring. Winger, Tai was unlucky on two occasions not to have scored.
With no respite in the weather conditions Sevenoaks played into the elements in the second half. Determined to keep a clean scoreboard against a reinvigorated Gravesend in the second half, Sevenoaks introduced the experienced impact players, McKerlie, Goater and Gerry into the game to very good effect. Sevenoaks Acorns continue their league campaign this week against Aylesford away.