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.
