Inconsistent Havant frustrated as mistakes cost dear

Will Knight came away frustrated – knowing his team had not performed anywhere near their best.

However, Havant still went close and the head coach regards it as another opportunity lost.

Knight said: ‘It was frustrating all round for everyone concerned.

‘After the last game where we were so good, we just didn’t seem to be able to get going.

‘We were lacking across the whole range.

‘Sevenoaks will probably accept we were the better team but we failed to make it count.

‘There were far too many mistakes, errors and silly moments.

‘When we made space and broke out there always seemed to be an error either in the last pass or in our decision making. Too many players had an off day.’

Havant found themselves on the back foot after only five minutes when they conceded the first try.

The home side set up a driving maul inside the twenty-two and powered their way over.

The try was converted but Havant pegged the hosts back to 7-6 courtesy of a couple of Joel Knight penalties.

After a period of Havant pressure, the Kent side broke out and quick hands saw them get around the defence for another converted score.

Havant grabbed their first try through Dave Sweeney after the outside-half made a terrific break.

Joel Knight added the conversion and then kicked a further penalty to see Havant leading 16-14 at the half-way stage.

Sevenoaks regained the lead with their third try after the break but midway through the half Scott Morris used his strength to get over and level the scores at 21-21.

‘At that stage I felt we were the team best placed to go on and win the game,’ said Will Knight.

‘They went ahead with a penalty for a high tackle but we still had plenty of time to get that back.

‘But we spent the rest of the time chasing the game.

‘At times maybe we went for it too hard when we didn’t need to.’

The defeat meant Havant dropped to seventh in the league – seven points adrift of the top three.

Will Knight knows they have lots of work to do if they want to close that gap.

‘We have now lost our last two away games and it is something we need to look at,’ said Knight.

‘The only difference between us and the sides at the top is our lack of consistency.

‘Top sides produce the performances week in, week out and that is what makes them better than us right now.

‘If we want to be genuine contenders then we have to be far more consistent.’