Beckenham 18 v 35 Sevenoaks

Rugby Union London 2 South League

BECKENHAM lost ground on third place in the London Two South division after the team which holds that spot won easily at Balmoral Avenue.

The hosts were 6-0 down inside five minutes thanks to two penalties kicked by Sevenoaks' stand-off Tristan Roberts.

Beckenham's inside centre Brendan Moore scored a well-taken but unconverted try which was followed a quick penalty instigated by debutant scrum half Ben Wood.

Injuries began to take their toll on an already depleted Beckenham side as outside centre Tim Whitehead limped off with a knee injury to be replaced by Chris Hay.

Sevenoaks scored shortly after this enforced change through inside centre Keith MacLean who went under the posts for a converted try.

Pat Wright kicked a perfect Becks penalty but Roberts replied immediately to keep an eight point gap at half-time.

Sevenoaks scored first in the second half when MacLean scored an unconverted try but Beckenham replied through winger Reggie Raynor.

Flanker Jared Field had to leave the pitch on a stretcher and because Beckenham had used all their substitutes they played the rest of the match with 14 men.

Despite this, Beckenham's Wright kicked another three pointer and with the score at 18 -21 anything looked possible.

However, Sevenoaks' winger Luke Harding scored a try which made the game safe.

The final converted try came from the Sevenoaks fullback Nick Shenton who strolled under the posts to finish a bad afternoon for the hosts.

Coach Simon Kift said: "We were beaten by a side who could choose from a full squad.

"We need to commit to a full season at this club and not just play as and when we please."

Beckenham now travel to Tring in the last 16 of the Powergen Intermediate Cup.