Havant showed four changes, one positional, from the side that defeated Esher last weekend. In the pack Jarod Leat came in at prop for Jez Smith with Will Saunders replacing the unavailable Ross Parkins in the second row. In the backs Ben Holt’s short-term injury meant Colin Sisk moved up from the replacement’s bench to take the scrum-half berth, and on the wing, Will Perry came back into the side with Ben Griffin moving back to his regular position at full-back. On the replacement’s bench, hooker Cam Boa returned after a break from the side and Liam Charlson was rewarded for his excellent display for the Dolphins last weekend. Sevenoaks also showed four changes from the side that lost a close game away at Westcombe Park last time out with George Strainge replacing free-scoring hooker Scott Sedgewick, and Zak Jones and club captain Brayden Porteous coming into the back-row. The only change in the backs saw Benji Hewitt selected on the wing.

The match kicked off in dry conditions although the pitch itself was very soft underfoot and uneven. Havant took a short kick-off which was promptly kicked back. Ben Griffin took a good high ball as he did a minute later. From the second take Havant moved the ball on and Craig Durnin burst through the middle. The ball was kicked through into the Sevenoaks in-goal area but evaded the hands of the attackers. Sevenoaks, perhaps showing early nerves, drop-kicked out on the full. This gave Havant a 5m scrum and although pushed back a little, retained possession with the hosts conceding two consecutive penalties. With space available Jacob Knight was able to just touch down over the line leaving an easy conversion for brother Joel (who would kick seven conversions from eight during the match). 0-7 to Havant on 5’.

From the kick-off Havant knocked the ball on and then conceded a penalty which Sevenoaks fly-half, Ben Adams, worked to the corner for a 5m lineout. Havant did take the ball through Will Saunders but the hosts turned it over immediately and promptly scored through flanker Matthew McRae. Ben Adams, with only eight missed conversions all season, managed to miss this one, meaning Havant held a 5-7 lead on 9’. After the score Sevenoaks continued to dominate with a lovely, floated ball from Adams giving wing Jakob Ivell a chance to run into the Havant ‘22’. Havant however, turned the ball over and kicked the ball to touch. Sevenoaks were still threatening but were struggling to get really close. Again, the ball was turned over and Jarod Leat and Jack Colbourne (his usual ‘bristling with intent’ self throughout) made quick breaks from the hosts ‘22’ before they conceded a penalty which Jacob Knight kicked to half-way.

At this point (around 14 minutes) Havant were looking strong – defending well, pressurising the opposition into conceding penalties, winning two opposition throws and making ground when in possession. The hosts were trying to throw their best shots but weren’t threatening. It was a surprise therefore when Sevenoaks scored on 16 minutes through Ben Adams after a penalty had been conceded for obstruction under a high ball. Havant had a defensive scrum and, with the Havant forwards being pushed back, the ball had to come out quicker than planned. In a bid to get the kick away it was charged down and Ben Adams scored and then converted his own try from the touchline. 12-7 after 17’. From the kick-off Jacob Knight was yellow-carded for obstruction.

From the yellow-card penalty, Sam Vince grabbed opposition ball expertly at the lineout and then took another one. Then on 25’ he took another and Craig Durnin burst through to the ‘Oaks ‘22’ and won a penalty. A minute later Jack Colbourne made a strong break, won another penalty for a high tackle, and Tom Gwyther kicked through to the 5m line. Havant attacked then for several minutes with Brandon Vince and Jack Colbourne (again) to the fore. The visitors couldn’t get through to the line however. Another penalty was conceded and Colin Sisk this time kicked to the 5m line. Sam Vince took yet another lineout. The ball was moved to midfield and with Sevenoaks stretched, Joel Knight was able to get over and score, converting his own try to make it 12-14 on 30’.

From the restart Ben Griffin took a good ball and ran well to the halfway line. A ruck formed and a Sevenoaks player was yellow-carded for a Technical Offence (the referee didn’t signal what it was for). There was also an indication that the Sevenoaks talisman Adams was physically struggling with a knee injury.

From the penalty the ball was kicked to touch and won once more by Sam Vince. Will Saunders took the ball forward but Havant were penalised at the ruck. This was indicative of Havant’s situation. Lots of ball, penetrative with it, but giving away too many penalties. At this point Jack Colbourne went off for a head injury, which we thought to be match-ending (we were wrong), to be replaced by Wes Dugan.

Will Saunders had to leave the field (alongside Jack Colbourne) and for a while Havant were playing with a makeshift pack. On 34’, after what felt like the hosts first line-out ball ‘win’ of the match they were awarded a penalty wide on the left which Ben Adams kicked to make it 15-14. Jack Colbourne was able to return, bandaged up and Angus Southon moved up to the second row with Wes Dugan staying on.

Havant were looking to dominate. Will Perry, increasing influential as the match went on, skinned his man on the outside – what a great sight he is in full flow – and got to the 5-metre line from halfway. He just couldn’t quite hold on to the ball under pressure from the defending side’s last tackler. Soon Havant were back in the 22. A scrum gave the midfield quality ball from which they gained ground. Suddenly Sean Shepherd broke out of a maul and went straight through to score, just managing to touch down. Joel Knight converted to make it 15-21 to Havant, close to what we thought was half-time.

The referee managed to find six extra minutes (with the touch-judge telling Colin Sisk there was only one minute left). During that time Ben Adams missed a penalty for the home team and Jack Colbourne, not long after his return, was ‘yellow-carded’ for a deliberate knock-on. The score: 15-21 at half-time. Havant, although leading would have told themselves that, if they could cut out the penalties the win would be theirs. In the second-half they would, by my count, only concede two.

Sevenoaks kicked off to start the second-half. Play largely took place in the middle of the field for a minute or so, with Joel Knight (who defended well throughout) putting in two strong tackles. Havant however conceded a penalty at the ruck which Adams kicked to make it 18-21 on 42’.

This was the point where Havant took over. ‘Oaks knocked the ball on from the restart with an increasingly frantic Sevenoaks coach shouting for penalties and seemingly trying to coach his side through every play. Havant had won a penalty in the middle of the field and although the kick at goal was an option if felt right for Colin Sisk to tap and run. Brandon Vince made good ground and Havant again won a penalty and this time Jacob Knight did kick for the corner. Havant were still playing with fourteen players. There then occurred what I described in my notes as a ‘savage’ piece of play – the classic immovable object against the irresistible force – lasting five minutes. With forwards mostly battering the line, it did start to look like ‘Oaks might resist successfully.

The impasse was broken by a Will Perry mini break on the right. The ball came back inside, the defence more ragged as a result, and after a few more drives, Sean Shepherd was able to crash over for his second. Joel Knight converted to make it 18-28. Havant were straight back to it. The forwards were picking and driving really well, and with physicality. Again, Will Perry broke on the right, getting close and the ball was recycled quickly and Sam Trodd got in at the left-hand corner to score. Joel Knight kicked a superb touchline conversion to make it 18-35 on ’54.

From the restart Havant secured the ball and moved it right with Brandon Vince making a 25m break. Rugby looks so good (and simple) when it’s played like this. Jacob Knight put a terrific kick through for Sam Trodd but it was so good it found touch 7m out. For once the hosts won the lineout and chipped the ball through but another lineout was secured by Sam Vince. Jack Colbourne took the ball on and moved it to Will Perry who this time cut inside to score close to the posts with Joel Knight converting to make it 18-42 on 57’.

Sevenoaks were in shock, hanging off tackles and full of indecision, with Havant incisive with almost everything they did although they could be accused of playing ‘party rugby’ on their own ‘22’ for a brief period. Common sense took over. Ben Griffin took a good high ball, evaded two tacklers and then passed to Jacob Knight who kicked the ball through to Sam Trodd who himself kicked the ball. Sevenoaks rescued themselves but conceded a lineout 17m out. Sam Vince won the lineout ball again and Jack Colbourne took the ball on with a nice half-break. It was no surprise when Ben Griffin went over, cutting a beautiful line to score out wide. For once the conversion was missed. 18-47 to Havant on 63’.

Although Havant were dominating and the hosts knew the game was lost, they knew they could still get a bonus point if they scored two more tries. In a rare sortie into the visitor’s half a good back’s move sent wing Benji Hewitt in to score one the two needed. Adams converted to make it 25-47 on 69’.

Havant had one more score in them and would deprive ‘Oaks of the try bonus.

A lovely team move, full of backs and forwards interplay, showed the side at its most confident. A great Wes Dugan break followed by a similar one by Sam Vince took Havant close. The ball went left and right until Dylan Evans found the pass that put Will Perry in to score his second. Joel Knight converted. Oaks conceded their second yellow card on ’74 for deliberately knocking the ball into touch from replacement Liam Charlson’s pass. Havant pushed for more and could have scored again but were deemed to have knocked the ball on over the line. Will Perry made a great run, beating two players but just getting his foot in touch. The hosts themselves added a bit of zeal in their game to get the bonus but there were no more tries. (report by Doug Miller) photo credit @windandsurf images

Other Teams in the League
Dorking 13 vs 13 Henley
Oundle 37 vs 17 Guernsey
Westcombe Park 12 vs Canterbury 21
Esher 19 vs 47 Bury St Edmunds
Old Albanian 28 vs 22 Barnes
Oxford Quins 28 vs 31 London Welsh