I think it was Clive Woodward who said that the reason they write match reports is that the final score doesn’t always tell you everything about the match.
This was never truer than at the Rectory Field on Saturday. Askeans took on top of the table Sevenoaks and it proved to be a full-on competitive match that made full use of the wide open spaces and firm ground.
Both sides showed great enterprise in a breathless first half.
Sevenoaks quickly went 3-12 but penetrative runs from the centre by Jack Henderson and Archie Lisle got Askeans into an attacking position. Fly Half Archie Miller then put in an excellent kick over the top, leading to Keegan Dickey, going over for a try converted by Alex Miller. 10- 12
The first injury then happened with Lewis Bainbridge going off but Askeans continued to press and following an excellent cross field kick by Alex Miller that Marcus Smith would have been proud of, No.12 Archie Lisle went over in the corner …..15-12
Sevenoaks were obviously not used to being under this pressure and were further shocked when Ciaran O’Flynn scored following a quickly taken penalty …22-12
Ominously, Askeans suffered another injury and this time, our excellent No 8 Caeleb Duffin had to leave the field.
Sevenoaks responded with a forward drive leading to a converted try, added to shortly after when they grabbed a missed penalty kick and went the length of the field….22-26 after just 35 minutes.
But Askeans surged back and yet another excellent cross kick by Alex Miller led to a try by Alfie Lisle converted by Alex Miller and a lead of 29-26 at half time.
It is worth noting that this was the first time this season that Sevenoaks have been behind after 40 minutes.
Half Time – Askeans 29 – 26 Sevenoaks III
If there was ever a case of a game of two halves this was it!
Alex Miller our very useful and enterprising fly half went off injured, followed quickly by Lee Smith being yellow carded after a contretemps in mid field.
Then Ciaran O’Flynn was injured and Askeans were down to 12 on the pitch.
A pitch which does no favours to a side with a man down, much less 3!
Lee returned to bring our number up to 13, until that is centre Archie Lisle went down and it was back to 12 players v the Sevenoaks 15.
Askeans had only 13 on the pitch for most of the second half and just 12 for the last quarter!
Faced with a competitive top of the table team it was inevitable that, despite great courage and a ‘Never say die’ attitude the score ran away and ended 29-73
A final score that was not reflective of the first half and didn’t do justice to the efforts and heart shown by the 12 in the final 20.
A much better summary than anything written here is that the Sevenoaks Captain said at the after-match presentation that Askeans were the best team they had faced all season!
A case of your numbers up when your numbers are down!
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