MATCH REPORT 27/1/07 by Matt “Sport Billy” Ellesmere

Shepherd Neames Mid Kent “D” League

Sevenoaks V 22      Maidstone Barbarians 12

(Tries: Newman, Burrill

Con: Ellesmere M)

On a spring like day Sevenoaks gained revenge for their defeat at the hands of the Barbarians earlier in the season.  In a close fought match, as is the norm when these two sides meet, ‘Oaks just about deserved to take the spoils on the basis of having the greater territorial play.  Nevertheless the Stones’ forwards, particularly the front row of Paul Arthurs, Stuart Ellesmere and Alex Craven, may argue they had the edge up front.

It was the Stones who drew first blood early in the game when quick ruck ball allowed fly-half Matt Ellesmere to draw the defence and put centre Maff Newman in space to glide through the gap and touch down for an unconverted try.  The hosts didn’t take long to reply, however, when their backs exploited some space to score under the posts for a seven pointer.

Sevenoaks stepped up the pressure for the remainder of the half although some good defensive work by the Stones, notably by the back row of Frost, Burrill and Cronin, kept the hosts at bay save for a penalty kick in front of the sticks.  Just before half time the Stones were dealt a severe blow when scrum-half and leading try scorer Mike Gilles suffered a badly sprained ankle and had to go off.

Despite the re-jigged back line meaning that a number of players were out of position, the Stones started the second half taking the game to their hosts.  Winger Stuart Bishop thought he had scored when a pass from Skipper Martin Carr put him in space, before the referee ruled it to be forward. Soon after, the Barbarians injury concerns mounted further when the strong running second row Steve Quinn had to go off.  ‘Oaks capitalised on this soon after by adding another converted try to their tally.

With the clock ticking down the visitors gave themselves some hope when a quick tap penalty from stand in scrum-half Maff Newman gave No. 8 Mark Burrill the chance to run in a converted try.  Sevenoaks had the last laugh, somewhat controversially however, when the referee deemed they had touched down following a rolling maul.  Moments before this some great defensive work from flanker Colin Frost stopped the Sevenoaks scrum half from touching down despite being over the try line.