After solid pitches at Sidcup last week, the team arrived at Esher with a trek through a quagmire to get to our pitches which turned out to be very well prepared and ready for a good days rugby. With the usual hour plus to wait for our first game the team warmed up and we raring to go for their first match against the hosts Esher – or so it seemed! Unfortunately we had our usual Sevenoaks first match dip and went down a try within the first minute. The great thing to see was that heads did not dip and the team came back out with some great team play. Some finger tackling allowed a further 3 tries to Esher and although Sevenoaks played with some good spreading of the ball eventually, the final whistle went and 4-0 to Esher.
Next up were London Irish – some further finger tackles once again allowed and early try by the Irish but again, heads did not drop and the team came out fighting. With end to end play we came back 1-1. Some good defensive play from London Irish stopped our next try only to turn over and go up 2-1 to London Irish. Further end to end play and some superb support play from the Kay twins got Sam over the try line to go 2-2. With a final flourish of play, Taylor, with some very solid forward running made it over the try line – putting us ahead by 1. London Irish were straight back at us and drew back 3-3. With the final play of the game some great team work evolved from Sevenoaks to help drive Charlie over the try line – The try was not counted and the game ended 3-3. Although we all know the real score!
Our third match was against Old Cranleighans. We did not allow a score against us in the first minute of this match – this time it was within the first two minutes – lets call that an improvement! 3 further tries went OC’s way when Taylor made another great straight run from half way with Imogen supporting all the way, 5m from the try line, OC’s finally managed to halt Taylor but with Imogen’s great support, Taylor popped the ball out and Sevenoaks got a try back by Imogen. Game ended 4-1 to OC’s
Having played 3 games, the score line didn’t really resemble to actual play of the team with some great rucking and clearing out so this was the focus of the final game against Wimbledon Warriors.
The team went out with the mind-set that this was their game and it started that way too, with some superb rucking and good scrum half clearing out quickly, we were on the score sheet first this game with some great work on the wing from Adam, this drew players to allow Clovis to get through and get himself on the score sheet. With further end to end rugby the Warriors got one back, only for Sevenoaks to go back up to 2-1 with a second try of the day from Sam. The Warriors came straight back to get 2-2 with only a few minutes left. With Oaks receiving, the ball was taken well and ground made up straight away, all playing as a team which was excellent to watch. Taylor had been hooking like a Demon all game and every scrum, irrespective of put in, was one by Sevenoaks. Following another great clear out from an Esher scrum, Imogen got the ball out wide via Ben to Oscar – who had been drawing many of the opposition all day – and Oscar got his chance and he took it! Final try of the day to Oscar and final score 3-2 to Sevenoaks!
As said, a great day of rugby and the team certainly playing better than the score line suggested. Notes of play: Clovis for his drive in the ruck, Charlie also for great rucking and spreading of the ball, Ben for some absolutely awesome try saving tackles, Sam for great full back play as well as forward driving. Peter for good rucking over and support play, Bruno for some good running and drive in a couple of the mauls. Imogen for good clearing from scrum and ruck as well as support play, Taylor for his drive and certainly for his hooking mastery! Oscar for maintaining the width to eventually make it count, Edward for good vision of the opponents coming and closing down. Adam with some great play both as scrum half as well as on the wing and finally Jamie for great tacking under pressure and good driving forward with the ball.
We should all be proud of how these players are maturing as a team – I for one can’t wait to see them in action again!
Come on you Mighty Oaks!
Phil & Cyril!