SEVENOAKS Rugby Club must wish they could play against Purley John Fisher every weekend.

Oaks have only managed to win four games this season and two of those have come against Saturday's hosts.

"It was a very, very good win," said head coach Ron Standen. "Bearing in mind player/coach James Leverington, who has had an abductor problem, had to pull out much earlier than anticipated after injuring himself during the warm-up, so we had to bring on Al Barber after just 15 minutes, and the fact we also lost our other player/coach, Dave Thresher, 20 minutes from time after he popped his shoulder out and went off to hospital.

"But, we simplified our game plan to stop players from running about all over the place and tried to stop the ball from being moved so wide so early. The problem is when we do get the ball out wide we have got pace to burn in James Garcia, Jon Pollock and Robbie Unwin, but we have got to think about the eight guys who win us the ball."

And, by playing more as a team, Oaks took control of the match from start to finish, something which pleased Standen no end.

Oaks were quick out of the blocks and opened the scoring courtesy of a try from in-form winger Pollock, converted by scrum half George Bantin, but some lapses in the centres allowed Fisher through on a couple of occasions and if it hadn't been for a superb defensive effort by full back Unwin the hosts could have taken the lead.

As it was, Oaks went 10-0 up after Bantin slotted another penalty and then started to dominate play. Barber, who replaced the injured Leverington, made an immediate impact and crossed the line to score an unconverted try before the hosts did counter at the end of the half to make it 15-10 to Sevenoaks going into the break.

"Despite this being a league fixture, it had the feeling of a cup final," said Sevenoaks skipper Tim Golds. "Everybody knew the importance of getting a result and we were really up for putting on a good performance. We knew at half-time that this game was ours for the taking."

And take it they did. With the line out and scrum working well, Oaks were able to play on the front foot, which opened up some space for the likes of man of the match Wessel Booysen to exploit.

The South African centre hit some good lines, tackled well and scored two tries in the second half, both of which were converted. Bantin added one more penalty before Barber had the final say for Sevenoaks with another individual bit of brilliance to score his second try of the day.

Purley scored once more just before the ref's whistle went for full time to make the final score 37-17 to the visitors.

Standen added: "Robbie Unwin has done a fantastic job standing in for the injured Tim Golds and with the latter back we now have two good leaders on the pitch which I think helps."

This weekend, Oaks look to carry their good form into the re-arranged home fixture against Lewes (kick off 2.30pm), but they will be without a string of first choice players due to injuries and holidays.

They will be looking for all the support they can get in their bid to ease away from the threat of relegation so make sure you get down to Knole Paddock to cheer on your local side.