Oaks Number 8 Sean Derrick evades a tackle on the way to scoring his side’s second try on Saturday against Brighton Blues. Photo Credit: David Purday
Sevenoaks Rugby 14 Brighton Blues RFC 7
Oaks 1st XV returned to winning ways on Saturday at Knole Paddock thanks to a hard fought, two-converted-tries-to-one victory over Brighton Blues.
The tussle in the deluge between two of the newly promoted teams in London & South East Premier was ultimately one for the purists. Sevenoaks began in expansive style and despite torrid conditions in the torrential rain opened their account ten minutes into the match with a sublime and fluid move that saw the ball passed between several pairs of hands before Henry Galligan popped up and darted through under the posts. Tom Gray secured the extras and as Oaks set up camp in the top third of the pitch it seemed a question of not if but when the Blues whitewash would be breached again.
As it was, the visitors’ solid defending, and some lack of imagination on the part of the navy and golds, meant that Oaks only converted this pressure into points just before the half time break when Shaun Derrick crashed over for a try from close range. Gray again slotted the conversion to send Oaks into the sheds with a 14-0 advantage.
Brighton returned after half-time full of verve and were more than prepared to take the game to Oaks. In fact the top third of the pitch where the home side’s encampment had set up in the first half became Blues territory. Oaks didn’t take the opportunities they were given to establish their own field position either with ball in hand or from the boot. When Brighton were finally rewarded with a try in the very last play of the game, it was no less than they deserved and Oaks while not necessarily on top form had put smiles onto the faces of the Paddock faithful given the way they stuck to their task.
Oaks have now registered three wins from six matches at their newly promoted level and take momentum into their next match. The away trip to Hertford this Saturday 19 kicks off at 3:00pm with all support very welcome.
Elsewhere, Oaks 2nd XV cruised to a 57-7 victory against Old Colfeians, with Jonny Barber plundering a first half hat-trick.
The 3rd XV and Gents were also victorious – the 3rd XV beating Vigo RFC 36-19 whilst the Mighty Gents won 26-12 against Leigh Layabouts.