A 'smash and grab' win keeps Oundle in National League title hunt and the second team stretch a perfect record to 20 matches

Oundle Rugby Club’s National 2 East title challenge looks set to go down to the wire after a ‘smash and grab’ win in Sevenoaks on Saturday.

Oundle were 28-19 down with 12 minutes to go in Kent, but rallied to win the game and a four-try bonus point which kept them two points behind leaders Bury St Edmunds with two matches to go.

Rian Hamilton scored a try for Oundle in Sevenoaks. Photo Matt Fleming Photography.

placeholder image — Rian Hamilton scored a try for Oundle in Sevenoaks. Photo Matt Fleming Photography.

Oundle now have a five-point advantage over third-placed Old Albanians who were beaten heavily at Westcombe Park. The winners visit Occupation Road next Saturday (April 18, 2pm start) and Oundle know a better display than yesterday’s disjointed effort will be required.

Standings: 1 Bury St Edmunds 98pts, 2 Oundle 96pts, 3 Old Albanians 91pts, 4 Dorking 79pts, 5 Barnes 76pts, 6 Canterbury 74pts, 7 Westcombe Park 68pts, 8 Havant 65pts, 9 Guernsey 62pts, 10 London Welsh 59pts, 11 Esher 55pts, 12 Henley 51pts, 13 Sevenoaks 44pts, 14 Oxford Harlequins 19pts,

Action from Oundle seconds v Old Laurentians. Photo Matt Fleming.

The conditions were difficult in Kent though with a blustery wind causing both sides problems. Sevenoaks started the better and led by a converted try after nine minutes. A Seth Roberts try and Ben Young conversion quickly drew Oundle level, but the hosts, who are battling against relegation, went 14-7 in front after another converted try.

Oundle looked to have assumed control when hooker Harry Nicholls and prolific winger Rian Hamilton both crossed before the break. One conversion gave Oundle a 19-14 lead.

But Sevenoaks had the elements in their favour in the second-half and they initially used them wisely to storm into a 28-19 lead.

However some shrewd substitutions allowed Oundle’s forwards to grab control and a try from Kieran Frost in the 68th minute cut the deficit to four points and with only five minutes remaining replacement winger Tevita Va’enuku broke through to score, Young converted and Oundle were 31-28 to the good. Sevenoaks were not finished and launched some huge surges deep into the Oundle half but stout defending and a crucial turnover from prop Matt Collins kept them at bay. Oundle second team, having been crowned Counties 2 Midlands East title winners last weekend, extended their perfect playing record to 20 matches with a hard fought 31-24 win against mid-table Old Laurentians.