Sevenoaks Rugby 22 – 21 Bury St Edmunds RFC
When a match comes down to a singular denouement, which this classic did, it’s easy to dwell on that winning event; a penalty slotted by Ben Adams for Sevenoaks to secure the home win, reversing a 19-21 deficit into a well-earned 22-21 triumph. Yes, it was an impressive penalty from the boot of Adams from a challenging angle just inside the Bury 10 metre line. And yes, the pressure was on.
However, 79 minutes of compelling rugby leading up to that point included a series of other vital moments that would have their say on the final outcome. So arguably the most telling incident also involved Adams, performing defensive duties as Matt Bursey for the visitors was through in the left channel before an Adams tackle forced the knock-on with 20 minutes to go. This effort was as influential as his kick, since at that stage it was all Bury, who were 19-14 down. Oaks managed to keep the visitors at bay for a further 15 minutes from that point as part of an outstanding all round defensive display, in which the Oaks pack plus the back line, particularly Alexi Hicken and man of the match Barney Stone, performed heroics.
Bury did ultimately get the try that enabled them to nudge into the lead, having barraged the Oaks line for the final quarter. Deft movement through the hands resulted in a try for George Loose, the second of a brace, that Ben Penfold converted, giving Bury a 21-19 ascendency with two minutes on the clock. They then made the error of seeking field position from the restart and were pinged, for Adams to secure the above-mentioned match-winning penalty for Oaks.
Oaks started strongest and before long were 12-0 up. The first try was an excellent one for scrum half Finlay Davenport, converted by Adams. The second was a beauty, Drew Forrester collecting the ball and then placing it over the line following a wonderful kick into his outside channel. George Loose replied just before the break for Bury and with Penfold’s conversion, the teams entered the sheds with Oaks holding a 12-7 advantage.
Angus Southon then barged over for Oaks ten minutes into the second half, for a try that Adams converted, before Bury roared into action. They took the game to Oaks and this told in the shape of Ben Kelland securing a try under the posts and with Penfold’s conversion, the game was 19-14. And so it then played out with Oaks victors over a solid Bury and a very entertaining day for the faithful.
We cannot let the day pass without a shout out to two lads who would have thoroughly enjoyed the action and the spirit in which the match was played. Here’s to you Oaks stalwarts Steve Rolfe and Jon Muchmore, who sadly passed away in recent days. We extend our respect and deepest sympathies to your families and our thanks for all that you both did for our sport.
SQUADS
Sevenoaks Rugby Club
Adams; Hickin; Stone; Corrigan; Forrester; Livett; Davenport. Simmons; Sedgwick; Naismith; Lee; Green; Southon; McCrae; Derrick. Rolfe; Higgins; Galligan; Chamnauoi; Ruffai.
Bury St Edmunds RFC
Drury-Hawkins; Stanway; Loose; Roper; Simpdon; Penfold; Christie. Robinson; McCartney; Cooper; Porteous; Kelland; Bursey; Meyers; Williams. Bourne; Jeffery; Grigg-Pettit; Strath; Hall.
Referee: Jack Sutton, RFU National Panel and Hertfordshire Society. Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bourne; Assistant Referee 2: Richard Collis. Fourth Officials: Glenn Waltham; Grant Scandling.
HALF TIME SCORE
Sevenoaks 12 – 7 Bury St Edmunds
Sevenoaks Scorers – times
7 mins – Finlay Davenport T Ben Adams C
12 mins – Drew Forrester T
50 mins – Angus Southon T Adams C
79 mins – Adams P
Bury Scorers – times
37 mins – George Loose T Ben Penfold C
60 mins – Ben Kelland T Penfold C
76 mins – George Loose T Penfold C
Man of the Match: Barney Stone
Attendance: 330
