Home win against Guernsey!

Sevenoaks RFC 24 - 16 Guernsey Raiders RFC

Sevenoaks Rugby enjoyed a compelling victory against visiting side Guernsey on Saturday. After Guernsey opened proceedings with a penalty by Ciaran McGann, Oaks got on the scoreboard in the shape of an excellent try from nine Ethan Jones, jinking through several defenders from 30 metres out, and then through the compelling boot of Ben Adams, managed to surge further into the lead, first in the shape of a conversion and then a penalty.

Guernsey responded rapidly as hooker Phil Le Noury barrelled over for a try from close quarters and then the two sides exchanged penalties to head into half-time with Sevenoaks enjoying a narrow 13-11 advantage.

After the break, the trusty boot of Ben Adams extended the Sevenoaks lead to 19-11 before a resolute defensive effort from Oaks kicked in during the last quarter of the match, against the tenacious Guernsey attack. 

The visitors sieged the Oaks line and the navy and gold not only managed to hold out for the last 10 minutes with their line under attack. In fact they broke out, took the ball up the park, and with a catch and drive, scored a pushover try from the lineout, Scott Sedgwick dotting the ball down.

Guernsey were by no means done and scored in the corner in the shape of Anthony Armstrong after a strong set of phase ball.

Despite then pressuring into the top quarter of the park, Raiders couldn’t manage to gain any further hold on the game and Oaks held on for the win.

That’s three wins on the bounce for Oaks after a challenging opening to their season and credit to Guernsey for giving their all in a match played in the best spirit.

Sevenoaks RFC scorers

6” Ethan Jones Try Ben Adams Converted, 28” Ben Adams P, 35” Ben Adams P, 45” Ben Adams P, 56” Ben Adams P, 76” Scott Sedgwick Try,

Guernsey Raiders RFC scorers 

3” Ciaran McGann Penalty, 33” Phil Le Noury, 38” McGann P, 71” Anthony Armstrong Try

Attendance: 411

Man of the Match: Olly Green

Please see the squads and officials below

Sevenoaks RFC: Simmons, J; Sedgwick ©; Simmons, T; Green; Lee; McRae; Rufai; Porteous. Jones; Shepherdson; Barker; Corrigan; Stone; Forrester; Adams. Strainge; Moran; Cambier; Johnson; Cooper.

Guernsey Raiders RFC: Steventon; Le Noury; Dormantas; Hackett; Webb; Creber; Welch; Poullet ©. Rutledge; Simmonds; Smith; Dawe; McGann, C; Cobourne; Armstrong. Burger; Dunn; Hullier; Roberts; McGann, N.

Referee: George Jones, RFU National Panel. Asst Referee 1: Matthew Shales; Asst Referee 2: Mark Woodhouse. Fourth officials: Glen Waltham, Grant Scandling.

A Worthy Win at Worthing!

Worthing Raiders 7 Sevenoaks 36 - Saturday 7th December 2024

Sevenoaks travelled to Roundstone Lane, Worthing this weekend. Another intense match was expected with the teams sitting in twelfth and thirteenth positions in the league. With some momentum behind following the Westcombe Park win, Sevenoaks was keen to push on for a second win in as many games.

With amber weather warnings in place the game was played in wet and very wet conditions.

Raiders kicked off playing towards the southern end of the ground, with the wind at their backs. Fortunately, the rain relented before kick-off, but the underfoot conditions were less than ideal. Sevenoaks took numerous opportunities to box the ball high, often forcing errors, or not making much ground as the wind forced the ball back towards the kicker, sometimes back in to the hands of an advancing Sevenoaks player.

The hosts were guilty of giving away penalties at regular intervals, thus enabling the visitors to kick to touch and then make use of their well-organised driving maul.

Raiders tried to run the ball when in possession when maybe they would have benefitted more from long kicks down the field. As an onlooker, it was surprising that the conditions were not utilised more by the home team in this half!

The game was understandably scrappy with both sides making handling errors under pressure.

The visitors opened the scoring with a penalty from in front of the posts after twenty-five minutes. 0 – 3.

The advantage was almost lost immediately as a Raiders player charged down an attempted box kick, but was unable to pick the ball up cleanly and the chance was gone.

As half time approached, the hosts lost a couple of players to injury and Sevenoaks had to also rotate players after what looked like a shoulder injury and a dead leg!

After thirty-nine minutes of pretty dour rugby Sevenoaks snuck in a converted try on the stroke of half time with Ethan Jones collecting the run down ball courtesy of Harry Barker. Ben Adams boot out smarting the Storm for the extra points! 0-10.

Half time score: Worthing Raiders 0 Sevenoaks 10

Worthing changed strip at half time, favouring a lighter yellow jersey making it clearer who was on which side as the darkness set it, intensified by the leaden sky!

Sevenoaks looked to capitalise on the wind coming from their aft, heads up kicking in to space winning important yards in tough conditions

The second half was dominated by the Sevenoaks, who gained advantage from high, long kicks that were extremely difficult to field cleanly in the conditions.

The half started badly for the hosts when Sevenoaks scored a converted try within a minute of the restart, 0-17.

With only seven minutes gone they scored another converted try to stretch their lead to 0-24. They followed with an unconverted try five minutes later. The lead was now 0-29 and the game was largely in control for the Sevenoaks team.

It was almost halfway through the half before Raiders were able to take play deep into Sevenoaks’ territory. They achieved this through good interplay between forwards and backs. The Sevenoaks’s defence was firing on all cylinders but when a Raider put a neat grubber kick through to the try line, a quick responding Sevenoaks player got to the ball first. The hosts were awarded a five-metre scrum but were unable to convert the situation into points.

Two more injuries hit Worthing and when Sevenoaks scored again after twenty-eight minutes the lead had become insurmountable in the time left in the game - Barney Stone getting the job done following the break out by Brayden Porteous. 0-36.

During the final five minutes Raiders played their best rugby and on the stroke of full time a good move was finished off with a burst through to score under the posts, duly converted before the referee called time with the score at 7-36.

Full time score: Worthing Raiders 7 Sevenoaks 36

Man of the Match: Scott Sedgwick

Referee: Peter Buchanan

Attendance 275

Last minute try gives Colchester the win...

Sevenoaks Rugby 23 – 28 Colchester RFC

Sevenoaks Rugby Club entertained Colchester RFC on Saturday 16 November at Knole Paddock for an encounter that represented high stakes for both teams toughing it out in the lower levels of National Two South. The compelling match ended with a bonus point win for the visitors who backed their ambition with some quality execution towards the closing sections of the match. In all but the last play of the game, a try for Colchester under the posts by outside half Gabe Jones on which he then slotted the extras, after they returned a kick into their territory from Sevenoaks through a well worked move, secured victory. While Oaks had the opportunity with a close quarters lineout in the last play of the game, Colchester turned the ball over and with it earned the vital result.

The match started at a canter and within the first 10 minutes there were three tries. The first score went to Colchester who found space down the right wing and then Jonah Varela dotted the ball down while Jones added the extras. Oaks replied immediately, and from the kick off Barney Stone latched onto the restart and snaffled the ball before evading the Colchester cover and putting the ball down in the right-hand channel. Ben Adams slotted the conversion. Colchester then had a scrum within striking distance of the Oaks line and Danny Whiteman romped over the line and Jones converted.

The rest of the first half was combative with Oaks in the ascendency and gaining their reward when Stone secured the second of his brace, Adams again slotting the extras for the two sides to go into the sheds all square at 14-14.

Sevenoaks certainly had the better of the early stages of the second half, while Colchester defended resolutely. Oaks resorted to the trusty boot of Adams to take the lead to 17-14 and then a further penalty meant Oaks entered the last twenty minutes of the match with a 20-14 advantage. Colchester then retook the lead with a well-worked move down the left and despite Adams reclaiming the ascendancy for Oaks, it wasn't to be as Colchester edged home.

Sevenoaks Scorers

5 mins Barney Stone Try Ben Adams Conversion

35 mins Barney Stone Try Adams C

51 mins Adams Penalty

63 mins Adams Penalty

73 mins Adams Penalty

Colchester Scorers

3 mins Jonah Verela Try Gabe Jones C

9 mins Danny Whiteman Try Jones C

65 mins Cory Button try Jones C

79 mins Gabe Jones try Jones C

Man of the Match Ethan Jones

Attendance 380

Bonus Point Loss away to Dorking

Scotty leads his men to Victory!

Sevenoaks Rugby 43 - 29 Oxford Quins

HT 19 - 15

Sevenoaks were in celebration style before today’s kick off in the robust shape of Captain Scott Sedgwick collecting his 200th 1st XV cap.

To captain his side to victory, the first of the season, was the cherry on the top and that he then scored three tries and gained man of the match was extra special.

This was a lively encounter involving two clubs in the lower level of National Two and it was Oaks who came out the blocks fastest, notching up two tries within ten minutes. The first was a well worked move that resulted in Brayden Porteous driving over close to the posts from the back of the scrum with Ed Sheperdson slotting the extras. The second saw Barney Stone find space in the outside left channel then pop the ball to Finn Stables to go over the whitewash while the first of Sedgwick’s trio was preceded by an Oxford penalty.

Oxford Quinns then took the game to Oaks and after several catch and drives barrelled over in the left corner. Following further exchanges and another Quins try the teams entered the sheds with Oaks holding a 19-15 advantage.

The second half was equally entertaining and it was really the home side’s defensive efficiency that kept the visitors at bay alongside some impressive continuity from Oaks with the ball in hand. They even managed a deft kick through from lock Angus Southon for their first try which found Barney Stone in the outside channel to dive over.

Quins never let Oaks get fully out of their sights and battled hard to stay in the game but ultimately the navy and gold held firm.

Sevenoaks scorers

3 Brayden Porteous Try Ed Shepherdson C

6 Finn Stables Try 

22 Scott Sedgwick Try Shepherdson C

46 Barney Stone Try

60 Sedgwick Try Shep C

69 Sedgwick Try Shep C

77 Drew Forrester Try 

Oxford Scorers 

17 Ewan Fox Penalty

29 Adam Field T Fox C

36 James Roberts T 

59 Will Bicknell T Fox C

74 Adam Field T Fox C

Man of the match

Scott Sedgwick  

Attendance 450

Please see squads and officials below.

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Strainge; Sedgwick (c); Simmons; Green; Southon; McRae; Ruffai; Porteous. Jones; Shepherdson; Forrester; Stables; Stone; Barker; Livett. Rolfe; Chamnaoui; Cambier; Johnson; Cooper.

Oxford Quins

Manning; Roberts; Primett; Rasousou; Hqyston; Paine; Ireland; Bicknelll (c). Davies; Fox; Burn; Moorby; Field; Hammond; Cooke; Cashman. Hopkins; Quainton; Todd; O’Regan.

Officials:

Referee: Simon Waite, RFU National Panel.

Assistant 1: Melissa Wright.

Assistant 2: Gavin Scott.

Fourth Officials: Glen Waltham; Grant Scandling.

4 Tries, but a narrow loss against Henley!

Bury take the win....

Sevenoaks RFC 19 – 28 Bury St Edmunds RFC 

Bury St Edmunds took away the full spoils from Kent in an impressive encounter thanks to a higher degree of continuity and control of the ball in the right areas of the park. The visitors raced out of the blocks to a 14-0 advantage, leaving Oaks always struggling to get back on terms.

The first Bury try came from an impressive move through the middle, a try that was the first of a brace of tries for Samir Kharbouch, who was outstanding in the centres for Bury. The extras were duly slotted by Ben Penfold. 

Following pressure from the hosts another Bury incursion down the Oaks right flank following a catch and drive at the lineout saw Bury find space in the wide left channel for George Loose to dot the ball down, Penfold again securing the extras.

Despite this slow start and having soaked up a fair degree of Bury pressure, Oaks gradually found their stride first in the shape of a sequence of plays resulting in Scott Sedgwick barrelling over from close quarters, Ed Shepherdson securing the conversion. Then right on the cusp of half-time Harry Barker barged through the Bury defenders and broke several tackles from 40 yards out to go over. Oaks had managed to find themselves a foothold in the match and the teams went into half-time with the visitors holding a 14-12 lead.

The pattern of the first half was duly repeated in the second, with Bury playing excellent phase ball and showing a great deal of patience. They converted the pressure into 17 unanswered points, initially through a penalty from Penfold who then converted the second of Kharbouch's try and a try by Charlie Reed who latched onto an inside ball after a deft kick into the outside channel. 28-12 with all but ten minutes to play. However, Oaks came back strongly and Brayden Porteous scythed through with five minutes to go, Sherpherdson converting to bring the score to 28-19. Bury then managed to withstand the Oaks onslaught to emerge deserved victors.

Full time score 19-28 / Half time score 12-14 

Sevenoaks Scores / Times

31 mins Scott Sedgwick Try / Ed Shepherdson Conversion

40 mins Harry Barker Try

75 Brayden Porteous T / Shepherdson C

Bury St Edmunds Scores / Times

6 mins Samir Kharbouch T / Ben Penfold C

18 mins  George Loose T / Penfold C

44 Penfold Pen

52 Kharbouch T / Penfold C

66 George Loose T / Penfold C

Attendance: 390

Man of the Match: Harry Barker

Sevenoaks RFC: George Strainge. Scott Sedgwick. Tom Simmons. Josh Pettet. Kenny Lee, Olly Green, David Rufai, Cade Cambier, Ben Cooper. Ed Shepherdson. Seth Mokuolu. Fun Stables, Barney Stone. Harry Barker, Drew Forrester. Joe Moran. Zaki Chammaoui, Braden Porteous, Matt McRae, Josh Livett.

Bury St Edmunds RFC: Iain Carmichael, Fin McCartney, Calvin Mitchell, Ben Kellamd, James Harrison, Henri Lavin, George Grigg-Pettit (c), Ruaraidh Williams. Elliot McPhun, Ben Penfold, Alex Earnshaw, Samir Kharbouch, George Loose, Evan Rees, Charlie Reed. Ben Sams, Ollie Stone, Ben Cooper, Trystan Andrews, Will Metcalf.

Referee: George Jones, RFU National Panel.  Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Shales. Assistant Referee 2: Peter Tuch Fourth Officials: Glenn Waltham. Grant Scandling.

Narrow loss to Old Albanians away!

Despite an intense battle and some incredible play from the lads, our 1st XV narrowly lost out to Old Albanians with a final score of 52-49. A tough result, but plenty of positives to take forward!

Strong Barnes visit the paddock and take the win!

Sevenoaks host a tough Canterbury

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2024 - 3.00 PM KICK OFF NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 EAST

Sevenoaks entertained Canterbury at a beautiful sunny-drenched Knole Paddock on Saturday 14 September, for what promised to be an expansive National Two encounter involving two clubs from the east and west parts of the county in an established, longstanding Kent rivalry.

Canterbury had the upper hand in this particular battle with a five pointer having put too much blue water between them and the home side in the first half before a final third come back from Oaks proved too little, too late.

Canterbury dominated the first half, opening the scoring in the 12th minute with a try from Presley Farrance, successfully converted by Frank Reynolds. At the 34th minute, Garry Jones added another try for Canterbury from a well-executed catch and drive. Just before the break, Chad Thomas crossed under the posts to further extend Canterbury’s lead, with Reynolds adding another conversion. The team heads into halftime with a commanding scoreline, showing strength both in their forward play and clinical finishing, leaving their opponents with much to do in the second half to mount a comeback.

The second half began with Frank Reynolds slotting a penalty in the 50th minute to extend Canterbury’s lead. However, Sevenoaks came alive, dominating play and scoring their first try in the 60th minute through Scott Sedgwick, with George Montgomery converting. Canterbury responded in the 70th minute with the bonus-point-securing fourth try from Sam Rogers in the corner. Sevenoaks continued their fightback with a powerful catch-and-drive, Sedgwick grabbing his second try of the match at 75 minutes, again converted by Montgomery. Despite Sevenoaks' resurgence, Canterbury held firm to secure the win in a thrilling second half after the more one side first half.

Full time Sevenoaks 14 - Canterbury 27

Half time Sevenoaks 0 - Canterbury 19

First Half scores

12 mins Canterbury: Try Presley Farrance / Con Frank Reynolds

34 mins: Canterbury: Try Garry Jones 

40 mins: Canterbury: Try Chad Thomas / Con Frank Reynolds 

Second half

50 mins: Canterbury: Frank Reynolds penalty 

60 mins : Sevenoaks: Try Scott Sedgwick, George Montgomery conversion 

70 mins: Canterbury: Try Sam Rogers 

75 mins: Sevenoaks: Try Sedgwick, Montgomery conversion

Sevenoaks RFC: George Strainge. Scott Sedgwick. Zaki Chamnaoui. Josh Pettet. Cameron Signorini. Angus Southon. Kade Bird. Brayden Porteous. Ben Cooper. George Montgomery. Seth Mokuolu. Charlie Corrigan. Barney Stone. Drew Forrester. Ed Shepperdson. James Simmons. Joe Moran. Zach Johnson. Ethan Jones. Finn Stables. 

Canterbury RFC: Cameron Macmillan. Eoin O’Donoghue. Danny Herriott. Dave Irvine. Jamie Stephens (C). Chad Thomas. Harvey Furneaux. Tyler Oliver. Presley Farrance. Frank Reynolds (Vc). Max Campbell. Frank Morgan. Aiden Moss. Garry Jones. Harvey Young. Nathan Morris. Ollie Frostick. Sam Rogers. Tom Williams

Referee: Simon Waite, RFU National Panel.  Assistant Referee 1: James Richardson. Assistant Referee 2: David Gallagher Fourth Officials: Glenn Waltham. Grant Scandling.

Attendance: 410 

Player of the Match: Brayden Porteous

Game, set and match Sevenoaks!

Sevenoaks Rugby 22 - 13 Wimbledon RFC

Sevenoaks Rugby secured an important five point, 22 to 13 victory over visitors Wimbledon RFC at Knole Paddock on Saturday 8 March.

After the scrappy first half the Oaks opened up in the second half and when Ollie May, another product of the conveyor belt of young talent coming up through the Sevenoaks Rugby Academy system romped in for Oaks’ fourth try he effectively settled the game for the home side.

The first half was both scrappy and tight. A sole try for Oaks by scrum half Finlay Davenport was countered by a brace of Wimbledon penalties.

Nothing much was coming off for either side and the teams entered the half time break with Wimbledon holding a narrow 6-5 lead.

Oaks came out with all guns blazing in the second half and in short order had reclaimed the lead with a try from back row Matt McRae that Ben Adams converted.

Oaks centre Barney Stone followed that try up and after the try by May it was a consolation try for Wimbledon from Charlie Websdale that Edward Morgan converted.

All told this wasn’t the best showcase of flowing rugby that National Two has to offer and it was also fractious at times with a yellow for Oaks and several yellows plus a straight red for Wimbledon for a dangerous tackle.

“That was a decent second half performance,” said Oaks defensive coach Paul Dawson following the match. “We weren’t as impressive as we have been this season. So everything did feel a bit flat and today was a day when passes weren’t going to hand and plays weren’t coming off. But we did manage to stick to our tasks, and ultimately the lads got the deserved win and the job done.”

Man of the Match Cameron Signorini

Attendance 350

Scorers

Sevenoaks Rugby

15” Finlay Davenport Try

45” McRae Try Ben Adams Conversion 

54” Barney Stone Try

64” Oliver May Try

Wimbledon RFC

24” Edward Morgan Penalty

28” Edward Morgan Penalty

79” Charlie Websdale Try Morgan Conversion 

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Adams; Galligan; Stone; Corridan; Forrester; Livett; Davenport. Simmons; Sedgwick; Simmons; Burmeister; Green; Southon; Ruffai; Derrick (c). Strainge; Rolfe; Signorini; McCrae; May.

Wimbledon RFC

Websdale; Kitto; Pinkham; Reville; Bracegirdle; Morgan; Mason. Mudgway; Casey; Cilia; Machado; Cleet (c); Stace; Hunt; Aniebonam. Toulizak; Gratton; Cerely; Lamming; Hendry.

Referee: Mike Lamb, RFU National Panel and London Society 

Asst 1: John Durkin

Asst 2: Kevin Jones

Fourth officials: Glen Waltham, Grant Scandling

Sevenoaks takes local derby!

Sevenoaks Rugby 24 - 22 Tonbridge Juddians RFC

Derbies have their own quality and when two teams trace their rivalry as far back as Sevenoaks and TJs do, there’s always an extra edge.

So this match was an highly intense encounter where both teams, contributed to an amazing high octane spectacle.

Oaks edged out 24-22 victors on the basis of outstanding defending in the final 10 minutes of the match when TJs sieged the Oaks line.

In fact the second half featured just two tries;the first a well worked effort that saw Henry Galligan collect a special kick and then dot it down from Oaks Man of the Match Ben Adams, which Adams duly converted.

The second was a catch and drive from a TJs lineout that resulted in Will Holling charging over the line to secure the try for the visitors. So the conversion was missed and at that stage Oaks held a narrow two point lead and with a good 20 minutes to go, you felt there were points that either team would secure. But that was it and Oaks held on.

The first half was more open as the two teams exchanged salvos to enter the sheds 17-17. 

There was a huge attendance in place to enjoy a cracking spectacle.

TJs opened procedures through a try from Captain Tommy Nicoll that Tom White converted.

Oaks responded swiftly as Tom Simmons barrelled over for a try that Ben Adams converted. An Oaks try by Barney Stone also converted by Adams and one Shadyn Osgood for TJs just under the posts that White converted meant that, alongside a penalty each, the teams entered the sheds all square at 17-17.

Huge credit to both squads for a match that delivered in every respect, and also to the officials who kept the game flowing.

This Saturday the Oaks 1st XV travels to top of the league Esher, 3:00pm KO.

++++++

HT 17-17

FT 24 - 22

Sevenoaks Scorers

12 James  Simmons T Ben Adams Con

30 Barney Stone T Adams Con

34 Adams P

45 Henry Galligan  Adams C

TJs scorers

5 Tommy Nicoll T Tom White Conversion

13 pen White

38 Shadyn Osgood T White C

56 Ben Holling Try

Man of the match Ben Adams

Attendance 845

Touring side bring back the scalp!

A win vs. Bury in last play...

Sevenoaks Rugby 22 – 21 Bury St Edmunds RFC

When a match comes down to a singular denouement, which this classic did, it’s easy to dwell on that winning event; a penalty slotted by Ben Adams for Sevenoaks to secure the home win, reversing a 19-21 deficit into a well-earned 22-21 triumph. Yes, it was an impressive penalty from the boot of Adams from a challenging angle just inside the Bury 10 metre line. And yes, the pressure was on.

However, 79 minutes of compelling rugby leading up to that point included a series of other vital moments that would have their say on the final outcome. So arguably the most telling incident also involved Adams, performing defensive duties as Matt Bursey for the visitors was through in the left channel before an Adams tackle forced the knock-on with 20 minutes to go. This effort was as influential as his kick, since at that stage it was all Bury, who were 19-14 down. Oaks managed to keep the visitors at bay for a further 15 minutes from that point as part of an outstanding all round defensive display, in which the Oaks pack plus the back line, particularly Alexi Hicken and man of the match Barney Stone, performed heroics. 

Bury did ultimately get the try that enabled them to nudge into the lead, having barraged the Oaks line for the final quarter. Deft movement through the hands resulted in a try for George Loose, the second of a brace, that Ben Penfold converted, giving Bury a 21-19 ascendency with two minutes on the clock. They then made the error of seeking field position from the restart and were pinged, for Adams to secure the above-mentioned match-winning penalty for Oaks.

Oaks started strongest and before long were 12-0 up. The first try was an excellent one for scrum half Finlay Davenport, converted by Adams. The second was a beauty, Drew Forrester collecting the ball and then placing it over the line following a wonderful kick into his outside channel. George Loose replied just before the break for Bury and with Penfold’s conversion, the teams entered the sheds with Oaks holding a 12-7 advantage. 

Angus Southon then barged over for Oaks ten minutes into the second half, for a try that Adams converted, before Bury roared into action. They took the game to Oaks and this told in the shape of Ben Kelland securing a try under the posts and with Penfold’s conversion, the game was 19-14. And so it then played out with Oaks victors over a solid Bury and a very entertaining day for the faithful.

We cannot let the day pass without a shout out to two lads who would have thoroughly enjoyed the action and the spirit in which the match was played. Here’s to you Oaks stalwarts Steve Rolfe and Jon Muchmore, who sadly passed away in recent days. We extend our respect and deepest sympathies to your families and our thanks for all that you both did for our sport.

SQUADS
Sevenoaks Rugby Club
Adams; Hickin; Stone; Corrigan; Forrester; Livett; Davenport. Simmons; Sedgwick; Naismith; Lee; Green; Southon; McCrae; Derrick. Rolfe; Higgins; Galligan; Chamnauoi; Ruffai.

Bury St Edmunds RFC
Drury-Hawkins; Stanway; Loose; Roper; Simpdon; Penfold; Christie. Robinson; McCartney; Cooper; Porteous; Kelland; Bursey; Meyers; Williams. Bourne; Jeffery; Grigg-Pettit; Strath; Hall.

Referee: Jack Sutton, RFU National Panel and Hertfordshire Society. Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bourne; Assistant Referee 2: Richard Collis. Fourth Officials: Glenn Waltham; Grant Scandling.

HALF TIME SCORE
Sevenoaks 12 – 7 Bury St Edmunds

Sevenoaks Scorers – times

7 mins – Finlay Davenport T Ben Adams C
12 mins – Drew Forrester T
50 mins – Angus Southon T Adams C
79 mins – Adams P

Bury Scorers – times
37 mins – George Loose T Ben Penfold C
60 mins – Ben Kelland T Penfold C
76 mins – George Loose T Penfold C

Man of the Match: Barney Stone

Attendance: 330

Sevenoaks lose to a tough Henley 36-17

Old Albanian take the last play win despite the lead and a great effort! 32-29 final score

Sevenoaks take the win against High Flying Barnes!!

Sevenoaks Rugby 31 – 27 Barnes RFC

Sevenoaks Rugby welcomed Barnes to Knole Paddock on Saturday 6 January 2024, as both teams set to each other in a highly engaging encounter that went all the way down to the wire. Within 10 minutes the scores were 7-7. Barnes secured the opening try with an excellent rolling maul from the Oaks 22 ending up with the ball being dotted down in the shape of Ethan Sirorski, and Josh Davies duly slotted the extras. The Barnes rolling maul was a weapon all day for the visitors that the navy and gold struggled to keep at bay. Oaks’ swift response came from a well-worked lineout move as Matt McRae barrelled over the line and Ben Adams got the conversion. Game on.

The game was highly combative and the Barnes forwards carried the ball strongly into the Oaks defensive sets, and it was this resilience that ultimately told as Josh Livett danced through for Oaks to score their second and once again Adams secured the conversion.

The next try, from Oaks, was a worldy as a move down the left side of the pitch after Oaks had moved the ball from coast to coast and retained possession across several phases ended in a deft inside pass that Alexi Hicken collected to dive in under the posts. With the Adams conversion and a subsequent penalty the home side were making hay at 24-7 up. Barnes then took the game to Oaks in the final quarter of the first half and put some excellent moves together. From these phases Rory Marsh barrelled over the line and Davies’ conversion then subsequent penalty brought Barnes back into the game. In fact only solid Oaks defending kept their line in tact at the end of the first half as the teams headed into the sheds with Oaks holding a 24-17 advantage.

Barnes carried this momentum into the second half and once again it was the rolling maul from 15 metres out that resulted in a try for the visitors, through flanker Alex McLean who impressed in the loose all match, and alongside others in the Barnes back row kept making inroads into Oaks territory. Davies secured the extras to bring the teams to level pegging.

In the final 30 minutes there was a long period of Oaks ascendancy as the navy and golds parked themselves in the Barnes 22, all helped with heft and impact off the bench. However each time Oaks threatened the Barnes try line either Barnes sniffed out the attack or an unforced error or penalty against Oaks them held back. So inevitably Barnes capitalised, and moved the ball rapidly up through the outside backs into the Oaks 22 where somehow the home side managed to thwart a sequence of catch and drives by Barnes from a sequence of line outs right on top of the Oaks line. The fourth time Oaks halted the Barnes lineout, it was deemed an illegal sack and Davies stepped up from close range to give Barnes the lead with around 10 minutes left on the clock.

Oaks were far from done and after some excellent moves through the middle of the park a gap final appeared for Hicken to secure the second of his brace, in a try that Adams converted – with Oaks holding on for the bonus try win and huge credit to Barnes for bringing everything they had to the Paddock.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Adams; Hickin; Stone; Corrigan; Forrester; Livett; Galligan. Simmons.J; Sedgwick; Simmons.T; Burmeister; Green; McCrae; Higgins. Naismith; Richardson; Horner; Lee; Cambier.

Barnes RFC

Watson; Osbourne; Souter; Weightman; Webb; Davies; Nixon. Wood; Ruddock; Dean; Ascroft-Leigh; Murphy; Gallagher; Mclean; Nixon. Sirorski; Marsh; Spencer-Jones; Wilstead; Lloyd

Referee: Phil Russell, RFU National Panel and Hertfordshire Society. Assistant Referee 1: Ben Mcnamara; Assistant Referee 2: James Richardson. Fourth Officials: Glenn Waltham; Grant Scandling.

HALF TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks 24 – 17 Barnes RFC

Sevenoaks Scorers

7: Matt McRae T Ben Adams C

18: Josh Livett T Adams C

23: Alexi Hicken T Adams C

28: Adams Penalty

75: Hicken T Adams C

Barnes Scorers

5: Ethan Sirorski T Josh Davies C

32: Rory Marsh T Davies C

38: Davies Penalty

48: Alex McLean T Davies C

70: Davies Penalty

Man of the Match: Matt McRae

Attendance: 450

+++++++++++++

Superb win against a strong Guernsey to end the year on a high!

Sevenoaks Rugby 27 – 17 Guernsey Raiders  RFC

Sevenoaks and Guernsey enjoyed a combative arm wrestle on a boggy Knole Paddock in Sevenoaks on Saturday 16 December in front of a festive full house.

The visitors opened proceedings setting the tone for a quality encounter on the basis of their expansive game play, as Charlie Simmonds for Raiders scythed through a midfield gap following an impressive back line move.

Guernsey continued to press but great Oaks tackling particularly from the back row and the Simmons twins Tom and James kept them at bay.

So it was that Oaks replied and from close quarters engagement, Matt McRae imposing all day drove into the Guernsey defence to set up Henry Galligan on his shoulder to dot the ball down under the posts. Ben Adams slotted the regulation conversion. The teams headed into the sheds with the home side 7-5 up.

In an unexpected shift of momentum it was Guernsey that took the game to Oaks at the start of the restart.

However Oaks countered and following decent field position and abrasive defending managed to secure a penalty from 30 metres out that Adams slotted.

Guernsey renewed the pressure as they always responded well from an Oaks score and secured a try in the shape of Ethan Smith.

Then the barrage arrived and a brace of tries for Oaks -  as they imposed themselves - was first off a bludgeon as Alexi Hickin barged through and then a rapier; a wonderful slotted grubber kick to the outside channel by Adams was gleefully and astutely collected by Barney Stone. Adams secured the extras to both those tries.

While Oaks had chances to put the game away Guernsey were not done by any stretch. Kieron McGann found space and converted his own try.

There were then some nervy moments for Oaks before in the last play of the game Adams gave Oaks breathing distance with a penalty that secured the win.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Scott Sedgwick

Narrow Loss away to Westcombe Park - 22-20

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