In a ground-breaking season featuring a recent streak of eight games with just one loss, the Sevens were unlucky to not walk away with a win in a close-fought game with long-term rivals Gore Court. With a changed line-up featuring a number of regular absentees, two returns from injury a debut, the Ops started brightly with some tight play and creating options through midfield with the forwards rattling the defence, creating several opportunities and almost seeing debutant Bowerman on the scoresheet, but the first half ending without any breaking of the deadlock.

The second half saw some more open play with both defences being tested. With some solid work from the back two of Ingleston and Parker and some outstanding keeping from Karl ‘Hightower’ Dodd, Gore Court remained frustrated. However, after some 15 minutes, some wonderful connecting play for the Ops from Pottage and a selfless pass through from Ghaemian saw Ollie Mercer through for his debut goal, much to the delight of the crowd. With 10 minutes to go, Gore Court levelled with some scrappy play that saw the ball bundled over the line. Despite some good running play from the wings and a push for a winner right up until the final whistle, the game concluded in a 1-1 draw.