Old Dunstonians v Sevenoaks Match Report

...Both sides featured a number of new players, but in the final reckoning the contribution of Oaks debutant stand off with 26 points was the decisive performance. OD's welcomed some new faces and some returning players and this performance promises that they will provide more competitive opposition than last year. That they lost to a pacy Oaks side was probably due to their inability to force the issue when Oaks had two concurrently in the bin either side of half time (the open side binned for a alleged spear tackle which looked harsh, the 8 for use of the boot which didn't) a period in which Sevenoaks and not the old boys scored a try.

The game opened with a flurry of points with D's scoring the pick of the early tries when new cente Joe Murray picked a great line and exploded through a gap to outpace the cover and finish by the posts. New fly half Steve Gee looked assured kicking from hand and varied his game well. He also looks the reliable goal kicker that's an essential component of any team. Inside centre Kalem Abbott completed an all new midfield axis that looks to have exciting possibilities.
As the scoring ebbed and flowed the half time whistle saw OD's holding a narrow lead and kicking up the slope, and, for a brief period, against 13 men. In the phase of the game that represented their best chance of establishing a decisive lead, it was actually Oaks who scored in the corner following sharp work from a turnover. From this point, Oaks held the lead until the close, with the old boys never quite getting close enough to register a try bonus point or one for losing by less than 7, the least their efforts deserved.

Returners from University Liam Miles and Tom Burnham gingered up the packs efforts with veteran James Wild losing nothing by comparison. Joe Burford at 8 regularly breached the gain line and the line out was accurate, with Oaks deciding early not to challenge the D's throw. A couple more forwards are regularly available from this week giving more options and bench depth, a luxury not enjoyed last season.

The Sevenoaks report (available here http://www.sevenoaks-rugby.org.uk/Senior+Rugby/1st+XV/0910+Match+Reports+Archive/item1462 ) does rather give the impression that D's were a fly on the windscreen of the Oaks juggernaught, though that wasn't the impression gained by this viewer. What was undeniable is the fact that despite playing for 20 minutes with 14, Oaks did finish the stronger, and during their period of numerical disadvantage showed a little more nouse than the home team. Weighed against that one must bear in mind the fact that Sevenoaks last year posted an aggregate score of 103 to 8 over the two league fixtures, so Saturdays result presents a significant measure of progress. Indeed it seems scant reward that the old boys finished without a bonus point for their efforts.

OD's will be tested to the limit when they visit Old Elthamians this Saturday, as E's established themselves as league favourites with a strong opening day win at fancied Brighton.