SEVENOAKS 21

EAST GRINSTEAD 26

London 2 South East

SEVENOAKS pushed runaway league leaders East Grinstead all the way on Saturday, but just fell short at the final hurdle.

Using a specific game plan and to get a bonus point from the game, Sevenoaks had brought Sam McCorry into the inside-centre role after a string of good performances in the second team, and they welcomed Colin Aspinall and Dave Jones back from illness into a robust-looking forward pack.

From the outset, Sevenoaks hassled the Grinstead players, competing well at the breakdown and tackling low and hard. Good kicking out of hand moved the team around the field with purpose and the Sevenoaks kick-chase was functioning well.

Sevenoaks' first points came through a deep kick from fly-half George Roffey. As the East Grinstead winger tried to run out of trouble, he was collared by Al Barber and Rob Unwin and penalised. Jonny Barber knocked over the three points.

The Grinstead number seven then chose to ruin his afternoon by head-butting his opposite man in front of the referee. He was shown a straight red card and ordered from the pitch.

The recipient, Ian Collins, also had to leave the field with a broken nose.

Sevenoaks brought Will de Smith onto the field and his first contribution was telling.

As Adam Suttill tidied up loose ball, Roffey stepped into the scrum-half position and launched a box kick down the narrow side.

The East Grinstead left wing did not get within five feet of the ball as it came down and De Smith was on the spot to gather and off-load.

His pass found Mick Dodd, who raced down the touch line, handed off the full-back and scored in the corner.

Sevenoaks now had their tails up, but despite good pressure, couldn't get over the line.

Some silly play allowed Grinstead to recover and gifted them a score from their own 5m line-out 60 seconds later.

No more scores came before the break, but Tom Hunt was forced from the field with a knee injury, to be replaced by Jim Grant.

With an 8-5 lead at half-time. Sevenoaks knew they were in with a chance.

The intensity did not ease in the second half. East Grinstead scored first, out wide to nudge the lead, but Jonny Barber bit back with two penalties to put Sevenoaks back in charge at 14-12 on the hour.

Both penalties came via aggressive running from Mick Dodd and Mike Walton.

At 14-12, lack of discipline was to cost Oaks dearly. Back chat and hands in the ruck accounted for six points and then, with 16 minutes to go, de Smith was shown a yellow card for side entry.

Grinstead capitalised on the loss with a well-worked try as the Oaks defence ran out of numbers. Sevenoaks were now 14-26 down with the choice of conceding defeat or taking the game back to the visitors. They chose the latter.

Led by the defensive efforts of McCorry, Barber and Unwin, possession was secured and Sevenoaks broke into Gs' territory.

A penalty gained near to the posts was kicked to the corner and the home team set about engineering the try that would secure the bonus point.

The initial drive was stopped illegally and at the subsequent penalty Sevenoaks chose to scrummage.

Four scrummages followed with the Oaks front row of Ridout, Manning and Jones starting to dominate. Mike Walton broke from the base and the forwards picked and drove to the line.

The final surge came from Ridout, who powered over from short range showing immense strength. Barber converted and the Oaks were within five points with two minutes to go.

East Grinstead were creaking now and looking for the final whistle.

Following a turnover in midfield, they were able to secure possession as the referee called time on a great game of rugby.