Match Report Pilgrims V Sevenoaks 2nds

Pilgrims 27 – 12 Sevenoaks 2nds

The biggest match of the season happened at Merton lane on Saturday 28th January. Sevenoaks(1st) played Canterbury (2nd) in the Counties league 2. The visitors started well, their pack destroyed the Pilgrims pack in the first two scrums, that did not happened again! Top of the league Sevenoaks looked good, Canterbury’s defence looked solid.

After ten minutes there was nothing in the game, both sides looked strong. After 20 minutes, Adrian Geddes tries to intercept a pass, but knocked on, a yellow card came his way, would this swing the balance of play to the visitors?

After 26 minutes, the home side with 14 men, saw the visitors give away a penalty 35 yards out, Olly Ashley-Jones, kicked, 3-0. Good passing by the home side, saw them get the ball out wide for Jack Weaver to go over for an excellent try, converted by Olly Ashley-Jones 10-0.

After 34 minutes more pressure from the Pilgrims, more good inter-play and Luke Webber crashed through for an unconverted try, Olly hitting the upright, 15-0 at half-time.

The Mighty Oaks started the second half strongly, they missed a penalty. The Pilgrims went on another counter attack, and Luke Webber scored his second try of the day, which Olly failed to convert, 20-0. Great tackles by Dengate, King, and Evans, Passing by Calder, and defensive control, from Kingsman and Annakie were going to be the key if the Pilgrims were going to win.

Luke then got sent to the sin bin, Sevenoaks opted for a scrum, well defended by the home side. But the pressure built, and soon the Mighty Oaks scored, but the conversion hit the upright, 20-5. It seemed a harsh try, as first it looked like a foot was out of play, and then, as the Sevenoaks player went to touch the ball down, while facing upwards and trying to put the ball over his head, the ball came out of his hands, but the try was given, and converted! 20-12. Max Halliday went off with a pulled hamstring making the tackle, and his brother Tom came on.

At this point the game was on a knife edge! The Pilgrims were 4 points behind in the league, with a game in hand. They needed to score 4 tries against the visitors, something that no other side had done this season. They also needed to win by more than seven points. The next score was going to be crucial.

Charlie Kingsman, first game back after a major hand injury, was playing a blinder! Back hand passes, great tackles, dummies, and more! He got the ball to Tom Halliday who powered over, for Olly to convert, 27-12. A great fight back by the Pilgrims. But still the home side made errors. Silly chat, Silly penalties, could still let the visitors in! But great open play, and a few more silly penalties saw the home side win 27-12 and go top of the league for the first time this season.

Harry Andrews, Man of the Match and captain, lead by example. The whole team played well, and all the squad should be pleased with their success. Selection next week will be even harder now, 9 regular players did not get selected this week, due to the strength within the squad, this is where you find you team players. See you at training guys!

There is still a long way to go, but at least Pilgrims control their destiny. This weekend they travel to Southwark lancers, bottom of the league. They still have to play Sidcup and Westcombe Park, both away. Then of course there is the big local derby v Dover, under lights, on the 24th February, at 7:30 a game not to miss. SEE YOU THERE.

Olly Ashley-Jones 7, Luke Webber 10, Jack Weaver, Tom Halliday 5.