On a fresh, grey, overcast January morning, Sevenoaks u16B's started their 2021-22 Kent Cup campaign against Beckenham's B team. Sevenoaks started the game in text book fashion when the forwards cleanly collected the ball from the kick-off, before driving and running out of the Sevenoaks half and from the ensuing ruck, scrum half Louis Parker launched a clever box kick to put Beckenham under pressure in their own 22 and Sevenoaks then being awarded a penalty for offside play by the opposition. Sevenoaks kicked for the corner but unfortunately lost the ball at the 5m lineout and Beckenham managed to escape the first onslaught. With the Sevenoaks pack in control, they launched attack after attack but was thwarted by good defence by Beckenham until it was decided to swing the ball wide and outside centre, Chris Barrett, stepped inside his opposite number to score next to the posts. Freddie Rudd converted the try and Sevenoaks led 7-0. Following strong runs by Ryan Dixon, Rui Beaufoy and Fionn Daly, it looked like Sevenoaks was going to run away with the game but every time they managed to lose the ball at a crucial moment or did not make use of the overlap on the outside. Although Sevenoaks looked fully in control of the match, Beckenham started to win more ball and with Sevenoaks being penalised a few times for being offside, the referee handed out a yellow card for Sevenoaks continuously being offside. Even though down to 14 men, Sevenoaks still looked the stronger team and following a scrum close to the Beckenham try line, Sevenoaks attacked with the forwards and Rui Beaufoy drove over for the try. The conversion was missed, Sevenoaks leading 12-0. Sevenoaks then launched an attack from their own 22 and with the backs handling the ball well, full back Alex Holden cut in superbly to break through the Beckenham line and as he passed the ball to the wing with one player to beat, it was unfortunately intercepted and Beckenham's speedy wing ran 60m to score a try against the run of play. Their fly half converted, 12-7 to Sevenoaks. With Sevenoaks back to 15 players, they launched attack after attack but their own inability to make full use of the overlap, costed Sevenoaks a number of try scoring opportunities. When they finally did pass the ball out wide, Sam Keenor scored easily and Rudd added the conversion. 19-7 to Sevenoaks. The half time whistle went soon thereafter.
The second half was a copy of the first half in that Sevenoaks were the dominating team, but could not score due to bad decision making and players wanting to score themselves, rather than passing the ball out wide. With a massive overlap, Freddie Rudd finally burst through for a try and converting his own try, 26-7. Beckenham then launched a few attacks and with their biggest player running at speed at the Sevenoaks line, the smallest Sevenoaks player (Conrad Sykes) cut him down by the ankles to the cheers of the Sevenoaks supporters. Following a number of offside transgressions, Sevenoaks once again lost a player to a yellow card. The game see-sawed until Conrad Sykes picked a clever line and took the ball at pace and scored. The conversion bounced back off the posts, 31-7 to Sevenoaks. Beckenham then launched attack after attack and finally managed to break the Sevenoaks line following a 5m line out, bringing the score to 31-14. From the kick-off Sevenoaks managed to pin Beckenham in their own half and following a penalty, Sevenoaks kicked for a 5m line out. The ever-safe Fionn Daly won a great lineout ball and fed the ball to Alexander Blackmore, who threw a great reverse pass under pressure to the fly half. For once the ball was sent down the backline in text book fashion and Sam Keenor dived over for a try in the corner. A brilliant piece of rugby to finish the match. Sevenoaks won 36-14.
Player of the match for his endless work in the rucks, mauls and defence: Fin Thomas
Squad: Nic McLean, Charlie Andrews, Fin Thomas, Rui Beaufoy, Fionn Daly, James Fry, Kam Satrettin, Ryan Dixon, Louis Parker, Will Francombe, Joe D'Alessio, Freddie Rudd, Chris Barrett, Sam Keenor, Alex Holden, Conrad Sykes, Max Gilbey, Joe Clark, Alex Blackmore, Thomas Flann, Jack Davies O'Malley
