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