Reports 13
Sevenoaks 10 Richmond 17
12 Oct 2009
Sevenoaks Under 13s lose unbeaten record
On Sunday 11th Sevenoaks Under 13 took both A & B teams to play at Richmond RFC, a new fixture for us and one that had been eagerly anticipated. Richmond were Surrey champions last year, so we expected a very tough game, although expectations were high following last week's season opening victory.
A team report
For the first time as long as I can remember, Sevenoaks faced a forward pack equal in size, their No 8 by far the biggest on the pitch. And so it was that the opening encounters in the forwards were fast, furious and very physical. However, it quickly became clear that Sevenoaks had the edge in the rucks at least, our superior rucking technique driving Richmond back time and again. Very little of the ball won was quick though and Richmond were well organised in defence, so we struggled to make much headway when attacking.
What ball Richmond did win was moved efficiently through the backs, and they always looked threatening throughout the match.
It was the big No. 8 who opened the scoring, and indeed had the biggest influence on the match as a whole. Playing downhill and with the wind, Richmond had made good ground and, from a set piece on our 22m line, the No. 8 ran through some flimsy defending to touch down close to the posts, thus ensuring the added points.
Shortly after, a Sevenoaks line out throw to the front was picked off by the oposition, and fed to the No.8 again who powered over from close range.
12 - 0 down at half time but with the conditions in our favour in the second half, we knew we were still very much in the game.
And so it proved immediately after the re-start, Oaks moving the ball down the left wing for Johansson to go close, then for a Richmond error in clearing their line to gift Belither a simple try.
The pace of the game and the intensity of the physical exchanges never dropped, but it was Richmond who scored next, again from a short line out steal, and again from the No. 8 from close range. Back came Oaks again, never once looking like giving up or giving in. Again the ball went wide down the left flank, this time giving George Payne some room which he made the most of, scoring wide out. Oaks continued to pressure Richmond and were definitely finishing the stronger side. Probing kicks to the corners by Christian Haysom and Will Johnson kept Richmond pinned back in their half, but each attack seemed to be denied by simple handling erros and some stout defending. With Richmond almost out on their feet, the ball was scrambled to touch and game over, Oaks going down 10 - 17, their first defeat since the Kent Cup semi-final at Under 11 level. However, there was no disgrace in losing to a fine team, and the manner in which all the boys played was not only highly encouraging, but a credit to all of them.
Well done to all the squad, I bet there are some sore bodies this morning.