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.
