Sevenoaks: 35

Purley John Fisher: 10

SEVENOAKS got their 2009/10 season off to the perfect start with a comprehensive 35-10 defeat of Purley John Fisher.

In fairness, the result should never have been in doubt. Oaks have never lost to PJF, but you never know how things are going to pan out until the first ball is kicked.

And trailing 7-3 at half-time things didn't look too promising. However, the hosts dug deep and let their superior fitness tell – running in three second-half tries.

"It was quite a tough first half, but I'm pleased at the way we came back," skipper Tim Golds said. "We're not going to get too over confident. We've got three tough games coming up in the next three weeks – we need to play our game and see what happens. I'm pretty positive about it, but we've got lots of things to work on."

Oaks got their London 2 South East season underway in glorious sunshine at Knole Paddock on Saturday. The first half was an end-to-end affair, but some poor finishing mixed with some resolute, last ditch defending kept the scoring down.

Adam Suttill gave Oaks the lead with a penalty on 15 minutes, but PJF came back into the game and broke through the middle to score under the posts. It was converted to make it 7-3.

Both sets of forwards were playing well in an intriguing battle up front. Ian Collins and man-of-the-match Ben Aspinall were both outstanding for Oaks, while the PJF fly-half had more and more influence on the game as the half progressed.

Oaks were forced to regroup at half-time. Freddie Woods was moved from scrum half to flanker and that change revitalised the team. George Roffey came on at scrum half and his tactical understanding with Suttill set the tone for the second half, as Oaks' superior fitness told.

Oaks soon got their noses in front when Golds went over in the corner and they extended the lead when Ed Alteirac scored, following a catch and drive from a line out deep in PJF territory.

The visitors still had their chances and Oaks had full-back Robbie Unwin to thank for a superb last gasp tackle midway through the half.

However, Oaks sealed the game when Aspinall broke through, off-loaded to Suttill, who went over under the posts. Suttill also added several penalties after the break to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

It was a great start for Oaks in what promises to be a hugely competitive season.

Elsewhere, last season's pace-setters Warlingham and newly-promoted semi-pro outfit Tonbridge Juddians announced their credentials as promotions chasers with stonking wins against Old Dunstonians and Lewes respectively.

On Saturday Oaks travel to Hove.

"They are always pretty tough away," Golds said. "They are a big team, so we will have to work hard on our game plan and see how it goes. I'm positive we can get a result, but we'll have to raise our game to another level."

The 2nd XV also recorded an excellent 38-7 victory over Old Elthamians in the tough Invicta 1 league.