And to broaden coach Jordan Reynolds’ smile there was a comeback try from long-term absentee Jonathan Dawe as the visitors crossed the home line six times and had the game won before a very late scoring burst by Sevenoaks brought them back to within four points at the final whistle.
After a sloppy start and a 0-6 deficit, Raiders admirably pulled themselves together to lead 17-6 at the break on meagre ball, just 10% estimated Reynolds.
But after the break Raiders were dominant, piling on the points via four tries and an almost perfect kicking display by Ciaran McGann who converted all the scores.
‘He missed an easy penalty from in front of the posts, but kicked the hard ones from out wide,’ said a coach who was delighted with the reaction from his men after the wobbly start.
‘The first 15-20min was sloppy and we were under a lot of pressure.
‘We gave away a lot of penalties but Sevenoaks helped us by continually going for the [penalty] points and didn’t go for the tries.’
Ultimately, that home tactic proved decisive in the four-point finish, although Reynolds was quick to point out that his men were 45-27 up with 79 minutes on the clock. By then they were in no danger of losing.
Dawe, the former Germany international HSBC World Series Sevens player, scored off the bench after a very late call-up and Reynolds hopes the talented back can finally put his injuries behind him.
This was his first appearance since April when he tore his MCL in a knee, following a bad pectorial muscle that had previously put a halt to his impressive start for the Guernsey club.
‘He is a quality player and it is massive having him fit again,’ said the coach who introduced him just after half-time when Anthony Armstrong went off injured.
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