When visitors Sevenoaks sauntered across the line to score under the posts for a converted try with their first attack a mere 3 minutes into this match at the Richardson Evans, those watching could have been forgiven for thinking they were about to witness a very one sided affair. However, Oaks were not to cross the Cornish line again in the match, as the home side first drew their sting, then pounced late on to secure a deserved victory by 3 tries to that 1.
Cornish are playing their home matches on the second pitch out the front of the clubhouse for the next 2 seasons, whilst work is undertaken on the first pitch to alleviate the flooding problems that have seen so many games in recent seasons moved to other pitches/venues. This pitch had seen no pre-season action, and bar some in fill at the clubhouse end, it was in perfect condition, Cornish playing away from that end in the opening period. The exiles were able to field a stronger and more balanced squad than in their opening match, James La Broy into the row, whilst Cornishmen Josh Holmes and Jack Vosper made their debuts in the back row. In the backs, Rich Stephens was available at 9 to allow the versatile Dan Phoenix to move to 15 against his former club, Matt Humphries made his debut at centre and prolific try scorer Matt Hakes was available on the wing. For their part, Sevenoaks bring a lot of paraphernalia with them, scaffolding for a camera stand, individual protein shakes for their players, and all of their numerous coaches are wired up, though presumably not to listen to BBC Radio Cornwall! They had slammed Thurrock in the opening round of matches, and were probably hot favourites to win this one.
Stung by that early score against them Cornish won a penalty on 5, which Skipper George Kimmins landed to put his side on the board. Gradually, and driven on by barrelling runs by La Broy, Harry Somers, Vosper and hooker Will Sheridan, the exiles gained field position. Vosper won a penalty for holding on 17 minutes, and Kimmins kicked to 5 outside the Oaks 22 down the left flank. La Broy claimed the lineout, and Cornish set a juggernaut of a rolling maul, casting off various Oaks forwards as they went, driving clean through the 22 and over the try line for Holmes to claim the score on debut, giving his side a 1 point lead, though it was not improved. The exiles were quickly back on the attack following another Vosper turnover, but through they worked the ball to Hakes following a rapid counter, he was hustled into touch just outside the Oaks 22. On 25 minutes, the Kent side kicked a penalty into the home 22, and then won a penalty bang in front after their hosts were caught offside in midfield, the Oaks kicker lifted his kick over to give his side the lead back. Another Hakes break on 32 saw Cornish deep into enemy territory, but one offload too many saw the ball knocked on. Front row Jake Slade rolled an ankle in that passage of play, and was withdrawn for Mark O’Leary to replace him. For the remaining 8 minutes of the half, the visitors pinned the exiles into the top left hand side of their 22, and unable to get their maul moving anywhere, they twice won penalties for technical offences. The first kick hit the right hand upright and was scrambled clear, but the second was more costly for the home side, as Oaks kicker landed it and Cornish lost a man to the bin, the Kent side turning round 13-8 to the good.
Despite being down a man, it was Cornish who added to their tally first in the 2nd half though it cost them, Humphries taking a great line off Kimmins and tearing into the Oaks half, pulling a hamstring in the process. Kimmins launched a huge penalty between the posts to reduce the deficit to 2, Jack Skerritt on in the backs as replacement. This penalty was matched by the visitors when the exiles were caught offside in midfield, and this also cost the home side more, Nick Goss taking a knock, David Chalkley on at lock with La Broy moving into the back row. The various changes in the Cornish side caused a temporary fracture in the defensive line, and Oaks very nearly exploited it on 51 minutes when they manufactured an overlap wide right but butchered it with a knock on just on the home 22. Kimmins drove a decent kick deep into visiting territory shortly afterward, and though cleared following the lineout on 56 minutes, back came Cornish only to be pinged for holding inside the home 22 a few minutes later. The exiles attack was more sustained now, battering ram runs from the pack driving Oaks back into their 22 more frequently, La Broy, Somers, Vosper and prop Oli Low now making increasing yardage with their carries. On 68 minutes, a Dave Funston break took play into the visiting 22, and when the clearing kick from the lineout did not find touch, Skerritt returned it with interest. Oaks were pinged for a ruck offence and Kimmins nudged it 5 out down the left hand flank. As the exiles rolled the maul following the lineout, a visiting prop killed it illegally, and was binned for his offence. Cornish called a scrum, at which Vosper picked up, drew a man and gave Hakes a slither of room down the left wing. Diving hard and low, the powerful wing beat the flying defender to score a crucial try, and the game was stopped for both players to be treated as their heads had clashed in the act of the try being scored, the visitors back not able to carry on. The conversion attempt was missed but the scores were now level at 16 all. Oaks may well have thought they had the match won when they landed a penalty on 73 minutes, but 3 minutes later Stephens, a constant thorn in the visitors side throughout the match, took a quick tap at a penalty to win another, which brought the kick within the range of his skipper, who did not disappoint, levelling it up again at 19 all. With time nearly up and Cornish penned deep in their half, they launched the move that would win the match, and one that would be fitting of winning any match. Kimmins and Funston flung long passes to the underused Rory Stanyard wide right. He dashed outside his man and over halfway before flinging the ball inside to the supporting Phoenix. His line took him away from the cover and infield, and as he drove on into the 22, it was the giant Chalkley at his shoulder him taking the ball and slamming it down under the posts for the game-winning try, Kimmins converting to take his side 7 points clear with less than 1 minute left. The try completely took the wind out of the visitors sails, and their restart did not make the distance. 2 reset scrums later, and it was Stephens who punted the ball into touch for Cornish to claim the win.
Matches between the 2 clubs are always hard fought, and this was no exception. Win, lose or draw Sevenoaks are always great value post match, and once more they came back to enjoy the post match pasties and Tribute. They will quickly bounce back from this defeat, and will give no team an easy ride.
In these opening weeks, Cornish are very much a work in progress, and this performance demonstrates an early success for the new coaching team, with so many new players being merged into the line up. In both matches to date, the exiles have produced a power-packed last quarter, which speaks volumes for the spirit in the camp. There are plenty more players to return to action yet, and competition for places can only be good as the exiles seek to improve on last season 8th place.