Tjs turned up to a wet and claggy Sevenoaks RFC on the first day of advent, hoping that there'd be something worthwhile behind the door of this particular calendar. A few shifts in personnel and a lack of personal organisation on the part of the head coach meant that our preparation could have been better, but it wasn't any better on the other side of the fence, with the boys all lined up ready to go, and the essentials of a referee and a match ball not in place for the stated kick off time! No matter, all was sorted and the match kicked off and we got underway.

TJs put themselves under early pressure in the first half by being slow to rucks and getting dispossessed meaning that for the first 10 minutes they struggled to get a foothold in the game. Sevenoaks moved the ball well, and didn't kick as much as we expected, instead they held onto possession and threatened the line with attacks from inside TJs 22. Some solid defensive work meant that Sevenoaks were unable to capitalise, although they probed the middle and edges of the TJs defence with some slick passing. TJs started to come into the game making some moves of their own. S.Beamish carried hard at 12 as TJs started to play their patterns of hard carries into the middle of the defence to drag the opposition towards the ball, and then move the ball quickly wide and hit them on the edge. It was from one of these attacks that the ball was carried into the heart of the Sevenoaks defence on the right hand side of the pitch, and then slickly moved to the left hand edge, with Osher backing his pace to take him over the line in the corner. The game settled into a nervy back and forth between the sides, with conditions hard for both attacks, but determined efforts from the likes of Tawse and Cooper in the engine room of the team and Lane whipping the ball away to Snow, who was moving the ball onto runners, started to soften up the defence. Sevenoaks were keen in this area, racing off the line and putting TJs skills under pressure, but TJs coped well in the main, until an ill-judged call for a backs move just outside the TJ 22 coughed up an intercept for the Sevenoaks 10, who didn't even have the fullback to beat on the way to the line. After an enterprising attempt by Wallis to start the half quickly which was dragged back by the referee, TJs kicked off again but in the end the half finished one try apiece, with rugby being the clear winner in an enthralling first period.

No need for the hairdryer at half time this week - the team knew what they needed to improve upon to make the difference and so set about playing harder at the rucks and making yards in the middle of the park, giving Snow options right and left. Although TJs could have held onto the ball a bit better, the referee had started to spot offsides in the Sevenoaks rush defence and TJs started to turn the screw, again moving the Sevenoaks defence around with ambitious play spreading the ball. Sevenoaks were unable to exit even when TJs coughed up the pill - every time they kicked infield, Vincent was there to run the ball back with pace and aggression (see pic above!), and it was after a period of sustained pressure and big carries that Relle smashed his way to the line for a score. TJs attack showed great variety, with J.Beamish running some lovely inside lines off our 10 and S.Beamish continuing to crash into the 12 channel and Hartley and Hendricks combining out wide. TJs next score was again well-worked with Snow spotting the open Hendricks on the blind side of the pitch, the winger making yards down the right touchline before the ball was moved back the other way into the path of S.Beamish who crashed over to score after a fast ruck. With the coaches looking to try a different option, Cooper took a break in favour of Foulkes, who made up for what he lacked in size vs his predecessor by quick feet, and as such he offered the opposition a different challenge to deal with with trademark mazy runs into their defence. The game continued its nervy vein, but in this half the action was very much focused at the Sevenoaks end. However, they weren't about to roll over, and as another attack from TJs got underway, there was the Sevenoaks 10 again in the passing channel, and again, he sprinted away down the pitch to score.

TJs didn't let this setback define the half, and got back to work. In this half our ruck and maul work was far better, with Wallis and J.Beamish being particularly menacing at the breakdown leading to stolen ball for TJs to play with. Relle showed some great fight after contact and some deft touches, throwing dummies, spinning out of tackles and showing great energy to be the bowsprit of the team. Hartley knocked 'em down in the 13 channel when they got out that far, and Cooper came back on for Tawse and set about the game with renewed energy, particularly in the carry. Towards the back end of the half now, TJs started to attack closer to the rucks, the forwards coming round the corner to make themselves available driving Oaks back and allowing J.Beamish the final try of the game from one of these efforts, burrowing over from close range to bring the score to 10-20 for the TJs win.

Thus the contest ended with TJs the victors - a tremendous game of rugby played in great spirit by both sides who played with ambition and no little skill, together with both sets of supporters thoroughly enjoying the game and each other's company in the clubhouse afterwards. The skipper wasn't available for the imaginary interview, but the head coach said "I'm so proud of the lads, ambition in attack and steel in defence meant that we end this block of fixtures unbeaten. Credit to Sevenoaks, they pushed us hard and they played with tremendous spirit, and their coaching team are top men too. Just a perfect rivalry really, but so pleased with the team that they came out the winners today". Sevenoaks were magnanimous hosts and generous in their praise of our efforts. We wish them all the best in the next stages of the competition. Thanks to all the parents for bringing the players and standing in the mud and rain to watch, and special mention to Otto Bates who came to cheer on the boys, his ankle in plaster after an injury during a school game - it was great to see him sitting in his folding chair with his Lions bucket hat on proffering his encouragement to the boys!