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Sat 05 Nov 2016 · London 1 South
1st XV StagsSevenoaks
27
17
Tries from Guyett, Houstoun, Kelly and Jones who also added two conversions and a penalty saw the Stags to a 27 – 15 triumph over a good Sevenoaks team.
Paul Tiller8 Nov 2016 - 09:46
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by Adrian Houstoun
Tries from Guyett, Houstoun, Kelly and Jones who also added two conversions and a penalty saw the Stags to a 27 – 15 triumph over a good Sevenoaks team.
Just one minute into the match CS were awarded a penalty, which was the first of eleven that CS received in the first half, with CS not conceding one until the first minute of the second half. Both the first and second penalties were kicked to touch and resulted in promising attacking positions until a knock on alleviated the pressure on the hard working and efficient Sevenoaks defence. The fifth penalty, which also resulted in a yellow card for Sevenoaks, was also kicked to touch for a five metre line out, however CS lost that line out, but were reprieved when the Sevenoaks clearance kick was superbly charged down by inside centre Tom Hodgson for outside centre Toby Guyett to score by the posts. Tom Jones converted for a 7 – 0 lead. After twenty two minutes prop Adam Rozenberg picked up the ball from the base of the ruck, and drove purposely towards the Sevenoaks line, but when he was held up, the ball was passed quickly to the wide right where Ton Jones was on hand to score in the right corner but was not able to convert. 12 – 0.
After thirty three minutes Sevenoaks got their first score, which, unfortunately for CS was rather reminiscent of last week being scored through the centre, and under the posts, to make the score 12 – 7. A short while later full back James Dazeley who had had a number of penetrating runs had to leave the pitch due to injury. Before the half ended CS received another four penalties, the first two of which were kicked to touch but did not result in scores. The final two penalties were awarded after the end of the first half, consequently CS took the scrum option for both, neither of which troubled the scoreboard and a half time score of 12 – 7 was at least a lead but in truth was a little disappointing to CS.
The second half started with CS kicking off, and now with the considerable benefit of the wind. From their kick off the CS forwards set up a promising position in the middle of the pitch about twenty five metres from the goal-line; however for the first time in the match CS were penalised with a penalty. Sevenoaks kicked to touch and relieved the pressure, and now took their opportunity to exert pressure mainly via their forwards, which came to nothing. Six minutes into the second half, from a line out well into the CS half, hooker Josh Forrester who was a having an excellent game passed the ball to James Houstoun, who set off from the right in a diagonal direction, as he straightened he evaded one of the Sevenoaks players and then the Sevenoaks fly half missed a tackle leaving the Sevenoaks right wing between Houstoun and the try line; with Houstoun scoring in the left corner. The conversion was missed and CS were now 17 -7 up. Even Premiership teams concede just after scoring (Harlequins just one example this weekend), and CS proved again to be very worthy members of that club, as immediately from the kick off they conceded a try on the right wing which Sevenoaks kicker was also unable to convert. 17 – 12 and both teams in with a chance of victory.
As the final quarter commenced Tom Jones converted a penalty for CS, followed twelve minutes later with Sevenoaks doing the same. As the match was drawing to a close it looked like the points would be shared 4 to 1, but that was before as series of pick and drives which took play well into the Sevenoaks half, and when the ball was moved wide, prop Darragh Kelly appeared in the centre channel, he took the pass and scampered towards the try line with a deceptive turn of speed, he had support on both shoulders and one player to beat, and chose the inside option and passed neatly to scrum half Henry Johnstone to score under the posts with Tom Jones converting. The match therefore finished 27 – 15 and Sevenoaks probably deserved something out of the match but CS’s last score was the final play of the match and deprived them of a point.
CS were pleased with the win but a rapidly lengthening injury list is a concern, although there is not a league match this coming weekend. The Sevenoaks senior coach identified Josh Forrester and Will Scott as his standout CS players, both of who had cracking matches.
Just one minute into the match CS were awarded a penalty, which was the first of eleven that CS received in the first half, with CS not conceding one until the first minute of the second half. Both the first and second penalties were kicked to touch and resulted in promising attacking positions until a knock on alleviated the pressure on the hard working and efficient Sevenoaks defence. The fifth penalty, which also resulted in a yellow card for Sevenoaks, was also kicked to touch for a five metre line out, however CS lost that line out, but were reprieved when the Sevenoaks clearance kick was superbly charged down by inside centre Tom Hodgson for outside centre Toby Guyett to score by the posts. Tom Jones converted for a 7 – 0 lead. After twenty two minutes prop Adam Rozenberg picked up the ball from the base of the ruck, and drove purposely towards the Sevenoaks line, but when he was held up, the ball was passed quickly to the wide right where Ton Jones was on hand to score in the right corner but was not able to convert. 12 – 0.
After thirty three minutes Sevenoaks got their first score, which, unfortunately for CS was rather reminiscent of last week being scored through the centre, and under the posts, to make the score 12 – 7. A short while later full back James Dazeley who had had a number of penetrating runs had to leave the pitch due to injury. Before the half ended CS received another four penalties, the first two of which were kicked to touch but did not result in scores. The final two penalties were awarded after the end of the first half, consequently CS took the scrum option for both, neither of which troubled the scoreboard and a half time score of 12 – 7 was at least a lead but in truth was a little disappointing to CS.
The second half started with CS kicking off, and now with the considerable benefit of the wind. From their kick off the CS forwards set up a promising position in the middle of the pitch about twenty five metres from the goal-line; however for the first time in the match CS were penalised with a penalty. Sevenoaks kicked to touch and relieved the pressure, and now took their opportunity to exert pressure mainly via their forwards, which came to nothing. Six minutes into the second half, from a line out well into the CS half, hooker Josh Forrester who was a having an excellent game passed the ball to James Houstoun, who set off from the right in a diagonal direction, as he straightened he evaded one of the Sevenoaks players and then the Sevenoaks fly half missed a tackle leaving the Sevenoaks right wing between Houstoun and the try line; with Houstoun scoring in the left corner. The conversion was missed and CS were now 17 -7 up. Even Premiership teams concede just after scoring (Harlequins just one example this weekend), and CS proved again to be very worthy members of that club, as immediately from the kick off they conceded a try on the right wing which Sevenoaks kicker was also unable to convert. 17 – 12 and both teams in with a chance of victory.
As the final quarter commenced Tom Jones converted a penalty for CS, followed twelve minutes later with Sevenoaks doing the same. As the match was drawing to a close it looked like the points would be shared 4 to 1, but that was before as series of pick and drives which took play well into the Sevenoaks half, and when the ball was moved wide, prop Darragh Kelly appeared in the centre channel, he took the pass and scampered towards the try line with a deceptive turn of speed, he had support on both shoulders and one player to beat, and chose the inside option and passed neatly to scrum half Henry Johnstone to score under the posts with Tom Jones converting. The match therefore finished 27 – 15 and Sevenoaks probably deserved something out of the match but CS’s last score was the final play of the match and deprived them of a point.
CS were pleased with the win but a rapidly lengthening injury list is a concern, although there is not a league match this coming weekend. The Sevenoaks senior coach identified Josh Forrester and Will Scott as his standout CS players, both of who had cracking matches.
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