MotM Alex Holden
Oaks welcomed Sidcup to the Paddock for the 2nd time this season, with the Oaks coming out 21-7 winners in a hard fought National Cup encounter back in September.
With a lot of front line players missing due to injury/unavailability, the home coaching staff were aware of just how big a challenge this game, their first Kent League game of the season, would be.
Sidcup appeared to be missing players as well, but this didn't diminish either sides desire or physicality as the two teams went hammer and tongs from the first minute.
Unfortunately for Sevenoaks, their execution and accuracy were not in the same league as their effort levels. Two early opportunities to score were squandered, with a 5m lineout being turned over and the ball being lost over the line after a well-worked scrum strike had Sevenoaks in for the score.
Much like the National Cup game, Sidcup seemed to take heart from Oaks' inability to cross the whitewash early doors and, having weathered that storm, actually found themselves ahead after a break of their own led to an Oaks infringement and a kickable penalty.
Sevenoaks spent much of the remainder of the 1st half of the attack, but more inaccuracy combined with some dogged work at the breakdown by the Sidcup defence meant that all they had to show for their effort was a 3 pointer from centre Angus Hall.
The scores were even at half-time, 3-3.
Sidcup started the 2nd half better and managed to wrestle field position off the home team. Their ever-lively no.8 caught Oaks by surprise when he broke blind from a driving maul and scampered in under the posts. The conversion was added and the away team led 3-10.
To their credit, Sevenoaks rolled up their sleeves and started win some turnovers of their own at key moments to balance the momentum out. A poor exit kick from the away side under pressure saw replacement fullback Hamish McQueen make serious inroads up into the Sidcup half. The ruck ball was recycled quick and Will Brook turned the corner beautifully off a boot-pass from 2nd row Luca Esposito to go in under the sticks. He converted his own try to bring Oaks level with 7 minutes to play.
Ultimately, Sidcup's own error count would prove their undoing as a poorly executed scrum strike allowed Hall to hack through and gather before being brought down just outside the Sidcup 22. Oaks recycled quickly down the shortside before playing back in field. Sidcup infringed in their attempts to regain possession and Hall stepped up to slot another 3 pointer with the clock in the red to seal the result for Sevenoaks.
Final score 13-10.
Oaks will be delighted to have gotten past such a tough opposition with some many players missing. However, with stern tests to come from Aylesford on December 10th as well as TJs, Medway, Canterbury and Old Elthamians, the lads will be acutely aware of the need for rapid improvement if they are to retain their Kent U18 league title.
They will be without Angus Hall on the 10th as he travels to Portugal to take part in the first of two England U20s training camps he has been invited to. We wish him the very best of luck!
In other Academy news, the U16s went down 10-26 in the league to Canterbury despite a heroic effort from Man of the Match, Sam Pearl. The Academy 2nd XV welcome Sidcup back to the Paddock this weekend (Dec 3rd) for their first Kent League outing of the season.
Squad list : Jack Wilson (C), Harry Gullett, Andrich Skein, Luca Esposito, Raphi Simmonds-Dance, Harry Bouverie, Tom Hewitt, George Booth, Isaac Canham, Will Brook, Oli Ebsworth, Angus Hall, Joel Walter, Charlie Drysdale, Alex Holden
Subs : Peter LaTrobe, Harry Clayson, Josh Martin, Jamie Catchpole, Zac Loder, Freddie Rudd, Hamish McQueen
Man of the Match : Alex Holden