Sevenoaks: 40

Lewes: 32

SEVENOAKS Rugby Club got back to winning ways with a superb comeback against high-flying Lewes at the Paddock.

In what turned out to be a high scoring and tantalisingly exciting affair, Oaks welcomed back captain Tim Golds and Spanish powerhouse James Garcia to their squad.

It quickly became apparent that Lewes had recruited well in pre-season and came into the game full of confidence, off the back of five straight victories, and it was the visitors who flew out of the blocks stunning the hosts.

The Lewes fly-half started the game well and was putting pressure on the Sevenoaks back three.

In return Oaks counter-attacked well, but with such an open game, defensive cracks started appearing early in the Oaks defence which saw two quick tries from Lewes.

The in-form Jon Pollock was on hand to pull one back for Oaks, showing trademark pace to beat the defence and continue his strong run of form.

However, Lewes continued to apply good pressure on Sevenoaks and were soon in for another try, with the Oaks defence continuing to look suspect. The Lewes fly-half also added a couple of penalties to extend their lead.

In a match that ebbed and flowed, the hosts were able to exert further pressure, which resulted in Matt Bates going over following some excellent footwork and build up play. The half-time whistle blew leaving the score 29-17, with Oaks seemingly facing a tough second half.

Oaks started the second 40 minutes well, and whatever their coaching staff said at half-time worked, as the spirit and potential of the team started to shine through.

Mike Walton made his defence count with some crunching tackles and the back row of Hunt, Collins and Woods made light work of the Lewes breakdown.

Collins was rewarded for his efforts with an early try to start the resurgent fight back.

The Oaks crowd didn't have to wait long for another home score. Winger Garcia started to make his mark on the game, and got himself over the white-wash to bring Oaks' spirits up, and get the crowd going. The ball was passed out to the Spaniard and he bounced two defenders off, before finishing excellently in the corner.

Oaks were starting to put good phases together and Luke Harding, on his return to the club, was making excellent ground for the home side, providing his backs with quick ball. Bates combined well with centres Golds and Tree, and Oaks once more were back on the score sheet. Harding found Alteirac, and with the opposite winger to beat, the hooker showed good pace to round the defence and dash in from 30 yards.

The crowd were sensing the comeback, and Oaks certainly had their tails up.

The introduction of Nick Shenton and debutant David Jones added well sought vigour to Oaks' cause, and it wasn't long before Oaks were once more on the score sheet.

Shenton was on hand to execute a defence splitting run only to be caught just shy of the line.

At the resulting ruck, Harding sensed the gap and duly obliged in the corner, pulling the score back to 37-29 to the resurgent Oaks.

The defensive display in the second half from Oaks was outstanding, and as Bates and his opposite man swapped a penalty each, these were the only points Oaks conceded all half.

Speaking after the game head coach James Leverington said: "It was a majestic display of two different styles of play from Sevenoaks, that left me undecided as to whether we played well or not!

"When you get two teams playing open rugby as Sevenoaks and Lewes both did, it's always going to come down to who has that extra bit of composure.

"I'm glad to say it was Sevenoaks that maintained that until the bitter end."

Oaks face the arduous task of travelling to Deal this weekend, but with a spirited performance against Lewes will be hoping to gain momentum from this excellent win.

Leverington added: "With an unpredicted weekly change of players we have been hit by, we have not had any consistency with which to build on as a team.

"So far this season its been a case of the one that got away. This is something we hope to be rectifying with some more consistent performances and training as a team.

"Now we have a settled squad, fit and back readily available – watch this space."