RFU National 2 East - Sevenoaks v HRFC (L33-26)

April 26, 2025 • Leave a Comment

First Impression: HRFC v Colchester (W38-12)

Venue: The Paddock

Crowd: Approx 700

Weather: Warm sunshine

Surface: Dry Grass/ Dusty Surface

Havant Rugby Football Club

Sevenoaks RFC

Match images are now available at: https://windandsurfimages.zenfolio.com/p807109269

Coaches Comment: @HavantRugbyFootballClub You Tube Channel

First impressions provides a short sharp back-brief of a fading memory of 'what just happened on the pitch' for anyone who couldn't get to the game. Hopefully it serves to provide a bit of match context as you peruse our images. Sadly there's No time to access match video, hence there might be some mistaken memories or differences of opinion, but this is nothing more than a simple collection of touchline thoughts to fire your imagination for next time ... and not the official match report. #IMHO

First Impression:

A game of two halves - First Half - Bright glorious sunshine in Kent and a firm (if not hard) cut grass pitch (slightly bent at one end!) with a slight cooling breeze, albeit it was blowing a bit stronger and cooler at the other end on the bank. This was a half where we seemingly struggled to come to terms with it being the last game of the season having failed to get off the bus and fire-up in quite the way our hosts had. We were behind the drag curve from the get-go, indeed it wasn't long before Oaks had driven over and were on the scoreboard and developing good possession in the right half of the pitch, while we were spending much of the time defending our own red zone, and carrying what possession we did subsequently secure into a coherent defensive line that was putting solid pressure on the ball-carrier and largely denying us any space. When we did subsequently did take contact - we looked slow to support the breakdown and unsurprisingly were robbed a number of times, finding ourselves tracking back to chase their positioning kick having lost the ball. In possession, our first phase looked to shipp the ball wide, but it was somewhat lateral and flat, and we subsequently found their defence had easily drifted across on to our wingers and stolen the space back - second phase we looked like we were playing Sevens, with very static players looking for holes and largely trying to create their own space while making something out of nothing. There was definitely a bit of a 'Horsham last season' about it - and its probably fair to say the bulk of the casual spectators were finding other things to do in the sunshine, while the rugby went on in the back ground. Clearly as the game progressed, there was also some havant frustration building on the pitch.. as we failed to execute basic evolutions and succumbed to the pressure - the one highlight perhaps was our scramble defence was generally holding firm and still offering a level of physicality ...meanwhile those of us trying to make it look good, were struggling to find some highpoints. (HT 21-0). #justanotherdayinkent

Second half - Regrettably it started much as the first half finished, and while some players took matters into their own hands.. the fractious nature of this game continued .. we subsequently gave away two relatively soft Oaks tries - and were now 33-0 down at 50 mins #lookingveryhorshamesque. This definitely should have been a side we could beat - if we could only just start playing rugby! ...So not sure what changed, a few players were switched and we began winning more ball ..and suddenly we did seem to wake-up and look like we wanted to fight for it. Sure enough once we regained possession, we gained more control and go-forward ball was actually starting to penetrate - we were holding onto our possession. Finally the balance of opinion began to change, subsequently winning a penalty in the Red Zone, with the Oak's slightly cocky banter shouting 'take the points, take the points' - Joel naturally kicked to the corner and after a trick lineout had Shep diving over the last defender to get us on the board (33-5). Not long after, another lineout ('63) and our man Sean was there again, this time bundling his way over off the back of a driving maul, beating their fullback to score again (33-12). Not quite a fightback yet - just a statement of intent that there was a possibility of recovering a poor situation. Finally after more pressure, Oaks were given a card - and with only 14 men on the park and a tiring pack - the boot was almost on the other foot! The casual spectators had now started to refocus on the rugby action and those idle sideline conversations suddenly stopped dead - as everyone now was now focussed on this game which was suddenly gaining in intensity ... the relative tranquility of the Paddock only being broken by the Oaks head coach now forcefully directing his players verbally about where and when to kick and how to defend. #hecouldobviouslyseethedanger ... the on-field banter stopped dead! 2 mins into the card with their fullback off the park, we soon found the overlap and put jack phillips through into space scoring outwide in the far corner. As if to make the point that we weren't done yet - Joel calmly slotted the difficult conversion (33-19). While still a long way off taking their scalp - there were definitely some BPs on offer! Sure enough the final 10 mins was all about Oaks surviving and their coach directing, while we were piling on the pressure - and subsequently turning worthwhile possession into points putting Jack Phillips over the line again on 80 mins close to the posts. Joel provided the extras - and we came away with 2 BP!

Summary: Who'd have thought that was possible after the somewhat indifferent first half ? - I must admit this end result was a surprise, not just to a bloke behind the camera, but to a wide number of knowledgeable Havant passers-by who had all quietly shrugged their shoulders with a knowing shake of the head earlier in the game - probably putting it down to 'one game too far!'... and to be honest with hindsight, it was a real shame we didn't finish stronger with a full 80 min performance. After all - this should have been two relatively even balanced NAT2E sides, playing on a perfect sunny day with very few constraints ..other than the refs final opinion ...so despite the first half issues ..eventually getting everything into one sock and creating something of the competitive spectacle it was supposed to be was 'satisfactory' - we almost could have finished the job?

So thats 24/25 NAT2E all done! Congratulations to the senior players and coaching staff / TSG after a hard fought season, I'm sure theres loads of learning points and things to take away for next season - I know there's been plenty of interesting discussion on the spectator rail. No lengthy summer break at this level - there is obviously a bit of time to rest, recuperate and come back stronger... but as I understand it, squad fitness testing starts in 2 weeks! #upthehill #wegoagain 😎👊 #nat2E #nationalleaguerugby