The first tournament of the Sevenoaks U12’s season, saw the Oaks rising at the crack of dawn to travel across London towards Allianz Park, the home of Saracens. The pool matches of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup were played at Hendon Rugby Club in the shadow of the Allianz stadium.
The players arrived in good time to do a thorough warm-up, before their first match against Chess Valley. The Oaks came storming out of the blocks, with Joel Walter scoring the opener of the tournament and the season with a wonderful dummy and strong run to get over the line. The Oaks went on to score 5 more tries including 2 glorious run-ins by the speedster and scrum half Hamish McQueen, two barrelling runs by the huge front row forwards Charlie Gillespie and Benjy Collingwood and another by Joel Walter. Final score 6-0.
Next up were Thanet Wanderers who, with a strong line-up, posed tough opposition. The Oaks dominated the rucks with the hard as nails back-row forwards Taylor Nash and Ben Millet clearing out everything in their path. This gave space for centre Brennan O’Keefe to stretch his legs and leave Thanet wondering as he went over in the corner to make the final score 1-0.
Without a break, next up were Hastings & Bexhill. At first glance, the Oaks felt confident, however H&B lofted some clever kicks over the Oaks defence only to be collected comfortably by Tom Hyde playing his first match at full back as if he’d been playing there since he was born. Jake Borawiak showed some very clever footwork dancing round H&B for his first try in a Sevenoaks jersey. This was quickly followed by O’Keeke’s second of the day to make the final score 2-0.
The Oaks now faced 3 more pool matches against the same opposition, so they buckled down for a crucial match against Thanet. The Oaks steely determination and fantastic rucking led by hooker Jack Kaye meant they kept possession for 90% of the game. This enabled two more scores from McQueen and O’Keefe and a special piece of support play by lightening quick back-row Ed Thomson making it a 3-0 wiHaving comfortably beaten Chess Valley at the beginning of the day, the Oaks took their foot off the pedal and Chess Valley took advantage tackling like demons. Luckily O’Keefe came to the rescue again and squeezed over for a cheeky score to make it 1-0.
The second match against Hastings & Bexhill proved to be the toughest of the pool stages. Rory Staunton and Mitchell Short, who both played in multiple positions throughout the day, showed their all round skills keeping H&B pinned back in the centre of the field, leaving the final score 0-0. Oaks were through to the semi finals!
After waiting for other pools to finish, the Oaks semi-final opponents were announced as local rivals Medway. This was a clash of titans. Both sides went at each other as if their lives depended on it, knowing that a win would see them play the final on the hallowed Allianz Park pitch at half time for the Premiership match. The Oaks didn’t miss a single tackle and pinned Medway in their own half for most of the game, but could not convert the pressure. However, on the penultimate play of the game, Colby Bedford-Eatwell used the full force of his considerable frame to bash over Medway’s defence and try line for the only score of the game. 1-0 to the Oaks and they were through......
The Oaks now transferred to Allianz Park. After the Oaks set up camp in the West stand, the stadium started to buzz as the Saracens and Bristol Bears premiership match kicked off. Having had high fives, autographs and selfies with the Sarries and Bristol players, the U12 Oaks team adrenalin was sky high. Inspired by such an amazing experience the Oaks entered the battle field at half time of the premiership match in front of 10,000 people to face Finsborough School. The pitch was huge so both teams took advantage of the width, but their defences were equal. The crowd was hugely entertained and showed their appreciation by roaring when the players showed their exceptional skills. Cometh the occasion and cometh the man, Will Brook, the Oaks fly half played out of his skin and topped the game off with a fantastic interception try. The crowd went wild, the Oaks were jubilant. What a day. The Oaks had kept a clean sheet for the whole tournament, played as one team and made all their parents and coaches exceptional proud. Bring on the rest of the season!
