With Juddians unable to raise a Vets team, Vigo were left looking for a game and Sevenoaks stepped in. They too had had their game called off because another National League side – Westcombe Park – were also unable to raise a side. Sevenoaks can always be relied upon – a proper Club - thus, a thoroughly entertaining game on a murky day was enjoyed by a big – and vociferous – crowd.
Skipper Brad Powell had done another amazing job, pulling together what amounted to a Barbarians’ team, drawn from all the so-called ‘little’ clubs – and including three of Vigo’s Youth dads making their debut, who might have thought it would be fun to volunteer, until they ran into a couple of Sevenoaks hefty forwards. But everyone seemed to enjoy it – apart from Miles Hayward , once of this parish, whose affable character belies a ferocious desire to win. Unfortunately, after grumbling about the referee most of the afternoon, finally managed to get on the pitch and was almost immediately yellow carded ! Whether that was because the referee had been storing up the grumbles from the sideline or Miles continued on the pitch was unclear. But anyway, the match.
It didn’t take long for Sevenoaks to open up Vigo’s defence, unsurprising really as most of the home side were barely on nodding terms to their team-mates, let alone fully versed in each others’ defensive abilities. Be that as it may, Sevenoaks moved the ball sweetly down the back line to Yaz Shiraishi who scooted over in the corner. Sevenoaks’ 10, Dave Kerr, was looking very composed, quickly working out that perhaps Vigo’s defence was exploitable especially to deep kicking although dan Webster and the Ginger Prince, Tom Emmitt, were not shy of counter attacking from deep. Thus, Vigo were struggling to get out of their half although Sevenoaks did have a propensity of giving away the odd penalty or eight. Referee Sam Andrews tried his best to keep the game moving but too many players were not listening and the penalties allowed Vigo to keep ‘Oaks at bay. Perversely, Oaks went further ahead from a penalty by Vigo. Ten metres out, Vigo lined up on the goal line and failed to move off it. Simon Tree simply tapped the ball and went over with Vigo’s defence glued to the line. Kerr converted easily.
Vigo’s prop, Jimmy Smith, and no. 4 Simon Heaver, were making some meaty progress up the middle with some thunderous charges, although our Miles was unhappy about the legality of these charges, but the referee saw no wrong, probably surmising that all the players were brought up in the 80’s and rather liked the way the game was played then. So, Vigo gradually worked their way back in the game. Phil Sewellipola and Darren Cox were by now also making their presence felt, as Vigo worked out that they were probably better off keeping the ball tight rather than allow their opponents to practice all their pretty threequarters moves. Again, Sevenoaks coughed up a series of penalties, Vigo tapped and went. Smith and Sewell were halted by some excellent defence by the visitors but Vigo were on the front foot, and Darren Cox smashed over from close range to score a try made by his fellow forwards.
The mist, or fret, might have been low cloud up her on the High Veldt, made it rather difficult to see from the sidelines but it appeared that James Spence scored a very good try, again after some lovely handling and running by Sevenoaks backs, as time ran out in the first half, Sevenoaks with a handy 5-17 lead at half time.
Vigo got off to a terrible start to the second period. Once again, they seemed to be glued to the floor as Sean Russell Ran through a rather statuesque defence to score a soft try after just 5 minutes. This seemed to be all too much for Mr. Smith, who began to make even more thunderous charges, knocking Sevenoaks players flat on their backsides. He was joined by Johnny Kelly off the bench, who was soon making his presence felt. Emmett glided around with typical grace and Vigo began to wrest back control. Kelly gained his due reward bursting through a hitherto pretty solid Sevenoaks defence for a fine try, converted by James Baxter. Suddenly, Sevenoaks didn’t look quite so secure, rattled by Vigo’s muscular approach, their continued disregard of the laws, much to miles’ disgust. Finally it was Miles turn to come off the bench. Withing a few minutes he was back off again. I felt it might not be a good idea to get a pitch side interview, such was the furious countenance on Miles’ face. Needless to say, I have an idea that Mr. Andrews may not be getting a Christmas card from the Hayward household this year.
Vigo gave it a right go, trying to exploit their numerical advantage. Sevenoaks, however, were defending very well. James Spence in his first Vets game was excellent, probably surprised at the intensity of the players. Advancing in years, perhaps, some of the players but still with an innate ability and will-to-win. Vigo just could not break through until late in the game. Ash Smart, who had had a thoroughly decent game , firstly in the centre then latterly at flanker, got his due reward for a diligent display when he finally broke through to score. Vigo still had a few minutes left but simply could not break down the Sevenoaks defensive barrier.
So, a pretty decent game. Our thanks to Sevenoaks, to the referee, to Brad and his unstinting work to raise a team, and especially to the crowd who kept up a (at times) amusing commentary on the game.

Vigo Squad: T.Emmitt; A.Webb, A.Smart, H.Thomas, D.Webster; M.Robinson, B.Powell; J.Smith, N.Baverstock, D.Cox; S.Heaver, S.Carter; B.Mace, L. Cheeseman; P.Sewell
Reps: A.cameron, R.Hutchinson, J.Baxter, J.Kelly, J.Cooper, Marco

Refgerre: S.Andrews (kent)

MoM’s: Yaz Shiraishi & Jimmy Smith