Last week TJs were robbed of a full local derby against Tunbridge Wells RFC at the start of half term (A TWRFC player was hurt in a collapsed scrum, and putting player safety first, was not moved until medical specialists arrived. Everything was all fine on the day as it turns out, but by then too late). This week we played our other grudge match vs Sevenoaks. So a 'friendly' then. A three period format was decided on to give coaches a chance to change things up and to speak to the players. For once we outnumbered our visitors, but not by much. They'd had a couple of late pull-outs - the scourge of coaches everywhere and the frustration was evident in our opposition counterparts.

Sevenoaks got off to a flying start, powering through some lacklustre TJs midfield defence and spreading the ball to the left and out to their wing, who was unlucky to fumble with the line at his mercy. This initial shock galvanised TJs, and they starting to get into a rhythm of their own, playing through the forwards, before unleashing the backs who played to width, or looked to exploit the 12/13 channel. And so this is how TJs first try was scored - narrowing up the defence with punchy forward running and rucking, moving the ball away with speed and then through the hands to Osher, who crossed in the corner. The kick was tough from out there, and the try went unconverted. TJs were next to score again, with ball movement straight off the kick-off. Slick hands followed and the irrepressible Black charged over the line close the posts to bring the score to 10-0. The kick was a simple one, and Streeten-Smith made no mistake this time. Ebrahim was next on the scoresheet, as TJs threatened to run riot. Again, powerful carrying from Relle and fast ball from the ruck made it that Ebrahim was running against a retreating defence, but even so he had much to do, running fully 40 metres to score, again, close the posts and the resulting conversion made it 19-0. This account probably makes it sound like one way traffic, but Sevenoaks were game opponents, and TJs were careless with their own ball on occasion - carriers taking the ball in and making little secondary effort to HFL and thereby serving up ball to the opposition in transition or via penalty. However, TJs were in the ascendency in this first period, moving the opposition around the pitch. Ebrahim turned provider, moving across the pitch and shipping the ball onto the roving McIvor - unfortunately a touch of butterfingers saw the chance to run in a 40m effort go begging. TJs were rotating players on and off, and seemingly every change just brought more smoke for the opposition. One position that was constant in the first 20 was Cobb at 9, who was moving the ball away well from the ruck and giving us pace. Mitchell on for the first 15 or so looked assured and comfortable, carrying and making tackles. Again, TJs were playing to their patterns and after Sevenoaks defence got thin on the outside, Baker burst through the middle and ran in close enough to the posts that the conversion was easy enough. Although the playing period should have been 20 minutes, TJs contrived to give penalty after penalty away, and Sevenoaks threatened the line on their right hand side, however, TJs robbed them, and took off up the pitch with the outside backs combining with slick handling 2-on-one-ing the oppo until a brave Sevenoaks scramble defence stopped the attack short of the line. A couple of digs from short followed, with Barrowman unlucky not to break the line, but the decisive spread of the ball wide saw Lucas put the final nail in the coffin of the first period against his brother's club! Half finished 31-0

Sevenoaks started the next half well, aided by some sloppy kick-off receipt by TJs, but the defence was turning to their task well, with Relle looking to knock 'em down as they came through and it was inevitable that under this sort of pressure Sevenoaks would wilt and cough up the ball, allowing TJs to play away again. Esprit-Tabiowo was set free and it's almost inevitable that he'll make the line against the cover, scoring out wide as he did. Our back rowers were marauding, Hendricks made good ground, Snow made some thunderous tackles that belied his stature and Bates was a menace in the loose as well as the tight. Forwards win you games, but backs decide by how much, and Baker was powerful as he muscled his way through the line to pick up his second. Streeten-Smith exchanged places with Hartley, and Cobb gave way to McTernan and yet the TJs machine kept turning and advanced to the bottom right of the pitch where a couple of dummy runners gave S.Beamish the space to fling himself at the line having burst through the defence to score from 15m out. Baker completed his hattrick next. A ruck in midfield saw Mitchell run from the base, make yards, forwards rucked over and the ball spread to the left. Slick hands set Osher free with a man to beat, Baker on the outside was the 2vs1 option and it was a foot race the line with Dad Baker wisely shouting 'Run' from the sideline! Oaks managed a consolation to bring the half to a close

The next period was short, and TJs started well, advancing up the pitch after a bit of back and forth in the centre. Winning a penalty, they wisely decided to take the three from bang in front, with only a 57 point advantage! Sevenoaks scored a well worked try next, and TJs seemed to think the job was done and lost their shape both sides of the ball a little and started to infringe and give away ball and penalties. It was close to their own line where they were penalised once more and having unwisely given the ball to the opposition, they paid the price out on the left before the game was finished. Sevenoaks winning that period of play 14-3.

A great game overall, with TJs scoring 60+ points, but Sevenoaks always remaining game and never giving up.

Many thanks to Pete Bates for refereeing, Sevenoaks for coming and bringing their game, all the parents for bringing the players and as ever the coaches for coaching and encouraging. Was great to see parents mingling in the bar after the game. COYTJs!