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
