Fixture

Sevenoaks Mens 8^th team lost by the odd goal in 9 to East Grinstead in a stretching final pre-season friendly. Welcoming several new faces Oaks started brightly and within minutes passes from electric Ed Gore and tenacious Tim Gore set up nifty Nigel Holmes for two quick-fire goals and then Matt Garner smashed home an excellent strike for his first club goal, with help from supersub Chris Bristow. At the back new keeper Peter Gray was working wonders but chunky Chris Hix, nerveless Nick Clark and Pieter Booyse (in his first ever game of hockey) left him too exposed to a breakaway and the visitors pulled a goal back. Another newcomer John Bristow was controlling left midfield, and rangy Rob House and imperturbable James Side commanded the midfield.

All looked good at half time but would fitness be an issue? Grinstead, reinforced by half-time guests, threw themselves in to the attack and despite dynamic keeping from Gray, pulled back four goals in next to no time. But Ed Gore was unstoppable, running the defence ragged, and Holmes rounded off a fine hat-trick to make it 4-5. Oaks pressed hard for an equaliser with Garner and Booyse combining cleverly and House hurrying and harrying. But as the September sunshine beat down a tiring Oaks team could not quite find the final goal.