Oaks' Academy U16s travelled to Chobham for a highly anticipated double header on Sunday.
Both clubs had strong player numbers in the age group and both clubs have been their respective county champions for years on the bounce so two competitive fixtures were expected.
After a 5-19 win for the U16Bs in a game so high on quality that passers-by mistook it for an 'A' game, it was the turn of the big(ger) boys.
Sevenoaks started well. A clever strike move from an early scrum got Oaks in behind the Chobham defence and forced a penalty, which was duly pumped deep into the Chobham 22. Much like their older Academy brethren, the 16s have developed a strong driving game at lineout this season. A trademark drive resulted in prop Jack Wilson doing the honours and dropping over the line for Oaks' 1st try. 0-5.
Chobham showed their own quality as they responded immediately. Their combination of powerful carries and a clever short-passing game challenged an Oaks defence so used to teams trying to play around them with big, looping passes. The visitors over-compensated and were caught very tight to the ruck as Chobham worked a clever 3 man play back down the shortside to score a high class try to level the scores at 5-5.
Chobham's attack was causing Oaks a lot of problems and consequently, the penalty count started to go against the Kent team. This resulted in much of a 1st half that had started so well being played in Oaks territory. This eventually told as Chobham went over from close range at the very end of the half after some admittedly gutsy defence from the navy and golds. The conversion was added and the score at half time was 12-5.
The half time messages were simple. Trust our shape in attack and work harder to get width in defence. To their credit, the young Oaks did exactly this in the 2nd half.
The Oaks changes also made an immediate impact as several quick phases led to the ball finding Angus Hall just inside the Chobham half. The quick ruck ball had spread the home defence too thin and Hall took full advantage. He beat 3 defenders on his way to the line before converting his own score to bring Oaks level at 12-12.
Filled with confidence by their fast start, Oaks accelerated their play and more quick phase ball gave Hall the opportunity to find space in behind the home defence with a clever crossfield kick. Winger Oli Ebsworth, who had defended so valiantly in the 1st half, finally got rewarded for his hard work as he won the foot race to the ball and dotted down to score Oaks' 3rd try. Hall added the conversion from out wide and suddenly Oaks were 12-19 up.
At this point, the energy expended by Chobham in their 1st half endeavours started to tell as Oaks carriers, so often chopped to floor or knocked backwards in the 1st half, started to make consistent inroads. Frank Kitchen came to the fore as time after time he carried over the gainline, ably assisted in this duty by Liam Thomas and the impressive Joe Sussmes. During a very impressive final 15 minutes, Hall scored his 2nd try after a typically powerful Kitchen carry and centre Fin Stables got on the scoresheet with a powerful midfield carry of his own to take Oaks into an unassailable 12-33 lead.
The final nail in the coffin for Chobham came for a scrum 5m out from their own line. Big pressure from the Oaks pack led to messy ball for the Chobham kicker who was charged down by flanker Tom Hewitt. Ben Pearl, having moved to 9 after starting at fullback, was first to react and dived on the loose ball to score Oaks' 6th and final try. The final score was 12-38.
This was a hugely impressive performance by Oaks against a very good rugby team. Chobham for their part were dominant for much of the 1st half, this despite them being without a couple of their first-choice players in key positions. Oaks owed this win to their ability to take on half time messages and then more importantly, to act upon them. With more time to train post-Christmas, Oaks can head into their county competition full of confidence.
Squad list: Peter LaTrobe, Andrich Skein, Jack Wilson, Arthur Hansen, Rui Beaufoy, Joe Sussmes, Ryan Dixon, Frank Kitchen (C), Isaac Canham, Max Lindsay, Raphi Simmonds-Dance, Brett Smith, Fin Stables, Oli Ebsworth, Ben Pearl
Subs: Fin Thomas, Liam Thomas, Tom Hewitt, Angus Hall, Alfie Stratton