Eastbourne: 29

Sevenoaks: 38

SEVENOAKS continued their Jekyll and Hyde approach to the season with a valuable away win at Eastbourne on Saturday.

In perfect conditions, Oaks combined some moments of real class with some alarming lapses in concentration, which kept the host's hopes alive long after the game should have been settled.

Speaking after the game, captain Tim Golds said: "The encouraging thing is when you can win playing badly.

"We know we have more to offer and we need to start gelling as a team instead of relying on individuals.

"It's close to being a very good team, but we need to keep working hard in training to fill in the remaining pieces."

Playing downhill, with the wind at their backs, Oaks wasted some early opportunities and after 25 minutes only had two penalties from Bates to show for their efforts.

Determined defending by Eastbourne and some strong driving mauls troubled Oaks, who failed to develop any rhythm to their play.

In fact, Oaks were reduced to 13 men as Ian Collins (collapsing a maul) and Alex Barber (dangerous tackle) were sin-binned.

Eventually it was from an Eastbourne attack that Oaks pounced when promising young winger Matt Dodds blitzed his opposite number and as the ball was coughed up, debutant Adam Field was on hand to scoop up the ball and sprint 60 metres for a seven pointer under the sticks.

This seemed to settle Oaks and some better passages of play followed with winger Jon Pollock cleverly gathering his own chip ahead and feeding Unwin (who had come on as blood replacement for Dodds).

Bates added the extras and leading 20-0 Oaks had the kind of lead that they would have wanted before turning round and playing uphill into the wind.

Eastbourne had other ideas though and following Oaks' failure to clear their own lines, a series of short range drives resulted in the home team's second row crashing over for a try, which gave them a lifeline just before the break.

Oaks knew that the first score after the break was going to be vital and though ill discipline allowed Eastbourne three points from 40m, Oaks got the first psychological blow in when good link play between forward and backs resulted in a try for Dodds. At this point Oaks looked well set to run away with the game as their backs appeared to have the beating of their opponents.

However, an inability to control the ball led to too many turnovers and Eastbourne eventually capitalised with a well worked try.

Yet again Oaks responded from broken play as a mazy run from Dodds led to another try for Field, who was rewarded for his good support play. To their credit Eastbourne kept driving hard and Oaks had much to thank Ian Collins for, as his ability at the breakdown stopped the home team developing any sustained pressure.

Oaks didn't help themselves as their barbarian approach at this stage only resulted in Eastbourne having far too much set-piece possession in their half. Too many forced passes led to knock-ons and poor ball presentation.

The last 15 minutes became very niggly as both teams seemed frustrated with their inability to control the ball and poor discipline from both sides saw a late flurry of yellow cards.

For the second time in the match Oaks were reduced to 13 men as they played the last 10 minutes with Aspinall and Woods in the bin.

Eastbourne capitalised with two late tries to make the final score 38-29 in Oaks favour. It was a scoreline which highlights Oaks good attacking play, but also some sub-standard defending and concentration.

This week Oaks host Old Reigatians at the Paddock and a much more clinical controlled performance will be required if they are to start building a credible push to the top end of the table.