Strong first half, but comeback in the second made a close finish...!

Sevenoaks Rugby 24 – 22 Henley Hawks RFC

Sevenoaks Rugby held on for a tight 24-22 win over Henley Hawks after a compelling second half comeback by the visitors. Oaks dominated the first half, but they left too many points out there and squandered solid field position on numerous occasions. So, despite the 15-7 half-time advantage, Oaks could and should have been a few more to the good at half time. When Hawks with their tails up took the game to Oaks in the second half, the match become a proper battle. In the end Oaks managed to hang on.

To begin with it was looking simple for the home side. Debutant and man of the match Jacob Ivell raced in under the posts for a try on the five-minute mark with his first touch of the ball. Jacob has come all the way through the Oaks juniors section and this was a fitting culmination of his rise through the ranks. Ben Adams slotted the conversion. Oaks continued to press, and it wasn’t long before they found another opening, this time on the opposite wing as Harry Barker dived over the line in the left-hand corner. 

While Sevenoaks had all the ascendancy and numerous breaks, it was Hawks who had the next say and a try under the posts by Ben Collins that Toby Howe converted brough them back into the game. An Adams penalty gave Oaks a 15-7 cushion to take into the half-time sheds.

Oaks had all the first half momentum, but from the get go of the second half, the pendulum well and truly swung. Hawks came out for the second half full of verve and were up for it. This was a cracking encounter and huge credit to Hawks for the energy they brought. First a Max Titchener penalty pegged Oaks back. Then after relentless pressure Leo Webb secured the try for Henley. Fortunately for Oaks, an Adams penalty gave them breathing space and so when Jamar Richardson barrelled over in the last play of the game for a try that Titchener duly converted, Oaks had edged home.

Sevenoaks Rugby: Simmons. J; Sedgwick ©; Strainge; Southon; Green; Johnson; Rufai; McRae. Jones; Livett; Barker; Corrigan; Shirtcliff; Ivell; Adams. Moran; Rolfe; Lee; Begbie; Horner. 

Henley Hawks RFC: Coliins; Langley; Hayhow ©; Lowe; Wallis-Downham; Noone; White; Benning. Pattison; Howe; Gordon; Webb; Jones; Wood; Richardson. Bailer; Kinningburgh; Poiner; Stentiford; Titchener.

Referee: Harry Parsons, RFU National Panel. Asst Referee 1: John Durrin. Asst Referee 2 Chris Goss. Fourth officials: Glann Waltham, Grant Scandling.

Half time Sevenoaks Rugby 15 – 7 Henley Hawks RFC

Full time Sevenoaks Rugby 24 – 22 Henley Hawks RFC

 Sevenoaks RFC Scorers:

5’ Jacob Ivell T Ben Adams C

13’ Harry Barker T 

30’ Ben Adams Pen

41’ Ben Adams Pen

48’ Ben Adams Pen

73’ Ben Adams Pen

Henley Hawks RFC Scorers:

27’ Ben Collins T Toby Howe Conversion

61’ Max Titchener Pen

62’ Leo Webb T

80’ Jamar Richardson T Titchener Conversion

Man of the Match: Jacob Ivell

Attendance: 384

Second half of dreams...!

Another local derby thriller!

1xv MoM with Match sponsor Vine Meats

Sevenoaks Rugby 17 - 24 Tonbridge Juddians RFC

Tonbridge Juddians ground out a solid 24-17 victory against a tenacious Sevenoaks Rugby in this high octane local Kent derby. Ultimately TJs benefitted from more composure and more quality. Nevertheless, Oaks had their say and when full back Ben Adams intercepted from just outside the Oaks try line and ran the length of the pitch for a try that he then converted, Oaks were 17-12 ahead with a quarter of the match to go. 

Shortly after his try, Adams, with TJs knocking on the door of the Oaks try line, was adjudicated to have deliberately knocked the ball on, and he was invited to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. TJs took advantage of the one man surplus, and pressed and pressed the Oaks line, to secure the try through scrum half Matt Walsh which Sam Evans converted. TJs then again found space from a set piece and Duncan Tout carved his way through the midfield to secure the winning try. 

Despite Oaks coming back into the game in the final ten minutes, and almost securing a try that would have properly pegged TJs back, the visitors held on for the bonus point win. There is a huge gulf in the National Two East table between these two sides, so it was an impressive losing bonus point that Oaks secured by ending up within 7 points of their table-topping local rivals. 

The first half involved a huge amount of TJs pressure and possession for less capital than they might have hoped. TJs struck first and within ten minutes went over close to the posts. You expected TJs to then execute better through the relentless phase play but in fact it was Oaks that went over the line next. Sam Begbie jinked through from the outside channel. Adams got the conversion and Oaks were 7-5 to the good for a short spell before TJs replied with a try from close quarters by Matt Walsh which Evan’s converted to take the teams into the sheds with TJs holding a 12-7 advantage. Oaks came out with a huge amount of energy in the second half and secured the first points.

This was a cracking encounter and huge credit to both sides for the positive spirit in which the local derby was played.

Sevenoaks Rugby: Simmons. J; Sedgwick ©; Simmons. T; Lee; Southon; Green; Johnson; Cambier. Jones; Begbie; Mokuolo; Hicen; Shirtcliff; May; Adams. Strainge; Rolfe; Signorini; Richardson; Horner.

Tonbridge Juddians RFC: Whitmarsh; Mutch; Bratton; Self; Merrick; Duabe; Nicoll ©; Culverhouse. Walsh; White; Kendrick; Tout; Osgood; Blade; Evans. Ridge; Lloyd; Tusler. 

Referee: Simon Waite, RFU National Panel. Asst Referee 1: Phil Bowers. Asst Referee 2 Andre Van Zyl. Fourth officials: Glann Waltham, Grant Scandling.

Half time Sevenoaks Rugby 7 – 12 Tonbridge Juddians RFC

Full time Sevenoaks Rugby 17 – 24 Tonbridge Juddians RFC

Sevenoaks RFC Scorers:

17’ Sam Begbie T Ben Adams C

52’ Ben Adams P

56’ Ben Adams T Ben Adams C

Tonbridge Juddians RFC Scorers:

8’ Tom Kendrick T 

21’ Matt Walsh T Sam Evans C

63’ Matt Walsh T Sam Evans C

67’ Duncan Tout T

Man of the Match: Zach Johnson

Attendance: 570

+++++++

Last minute win against well matched Old Albanians

Kenny Lee man of the match pictured here with his sponsor Nick Thompson

Sevenoaks Rugby 31 - 29 Old Albanians

Sevenoaks Rugby enjoyed a proper tussle with Old Albanians at Knole Paddock on Saturday 25 January 2025. The two teams came together with just two places separating them in National League Two, and the tightness of the encounter demonstrated how close in capabilities these two sides are.

OAs nudged ahead in the match for the first time during the last two minutes, when they pressed home solid pitch position in the Oaks 22 metre line before the OAs replacement centre Sam Jones barrelled over from short quarters. When Andrew Nurse slotted the extras it gave OAs a 29 to 28 advantage. The clock was running down and from the restart Oaks managed to collect the ball and at the ensuing ruck OAs infringed. This presented Ben Adams with a penalty from just right of the posts around the 10 metre line, which he duly slotted and with the referee calling time, Oaks secured the narrow 31-29 victory.

This was a thrilling encounter and OAs were relentless from start to finish, moving the ball rapidly through hand from all sections of the pitch and every scenario. For their part, Oaks defended resolutely and took their chances when they arrived. They opened the scoring in somewhat bizarre circumstances, when an errant exit kick from the OAs try line landed like a gift in the arms of Drew Forrester on the right wing who duly romped in for a score that Adams converted. The OAs were quick to respond, and after a try in the shape of Greg Lound that Matt Dalrymple converted before slotting a penalty, they took the lead 10-7 with ten mins of the first half remaining. Oaks then before the break worked some excellent field position through a jinking run by Ben Adams and then Matt McRae made solid yards down the left channel. Moving the ball wide Oaks found space in the centre field to put Angus Southon in for a well worked try that Adams converted to take the teams into the sheds with Oaks holding the 14-10 advantage.

There followed a flowing sequence of play from the start of the second half, and after Adams opened the second half scoring with an Oaks penalty, Alex Noot worked his way through for an OAs try.

Oaks then took the game properly to OAs, whose defensive play was superb meaning Oaks had to settle for a brace of Adams penalties from all the pressure. The 23-15 was shortlived as OAs quickly countered, and centre Andrew Nurse raced through for a try that he also converted. Then came the play for the match, with Oaks outside half George Montgomery putting a deft kick though that Barney Stone dotted down in the corner. OAs were always going to come back strong and having got their noses back in front it wasn’t to be for the visitors, who nevertheless took home two bonus points for being within 7 of Oaks and also for scoring four tries.

Half Time score: Oaks 14 OAs 10

Sevenoaks scorers and times

8 mins Drew Forrester Try Ben Adams Con

36 mins Angus Southon Try Adams Con

43 mins Adams penalty

57 mins Adams penalty

64 mins Adams penalty

72 mins Barney Stone Try

80 mins Adams penalty

OAs scorers and times

20 mins Greg Lound Try  Matt Dalrymple Con

31 mins Dalrymple penalty

56 mins Alex Noot try

69 mins Andrew Nurse Try and Conversion

78 mins Sam Jones Try Nurse Conversion

+++++

Attendance: 296

Man of the Match: Kenny Lee

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