Sevenoaks Academy U16s hosted Sidcup in the Kent League, with the game now officially recognised as the final by the county after previous results in the league dictated that these two teams would be finalists regardless of the result.
Sadly, the weather did it's best to curtail both teams' attacking ambitions and the first half lacked execution, if not endeavour.
Sevenoaks definitely had the ascendancy in terms of territory and possession. Two impressive line breaks aside, the visitors spent the vast majority of the first half defending for their lives inside their own 22. Unfortunately for Oaks, a lack of patience and accuracy meant that despite their dominance, they only went in at half time 5-0 up, courtesy of a close range effort from flanker Harry Bouverie.
If Sevenoaks were the dominant force in the first half, the second half definitely belonged to Sidcup. Their dangerous runners, kept relatively quiet in the first period, started to find their way into the game more and more as Oaks errors gifted the visitors plenty of possession. A clever switch play from a left hand side ruck just inside the Oaks half saw Sidcup make a clean break through the midfield before executing the 2v1 to score under the posts. The extras were added and Oaks found themselves 5-7, but with plenty of time to find the win if they could just eliminate their errors.
Sadly, it was not to be. Oaks would defend stoically and win possession back, only for errors in the attacking third to then gift possession back to Sidcup so that they could have another crack.
The half went by with no more scores until Oaks found themselves with a lineout inside the Sidcup 22. The lineout drive had been a source of joy for the home side all game. The home support held their breath.....but the throw was deemed not straight and a penalty conceded by Oaks at the ensuing scrum ended the game and with it, their multi-year run with the title 'Kent Champions'.
Whilst certainly a tough loss to take, there have been huge positives to take from this groups' first season as part of the academy. Throughout the game, their driving lineout play was a constant headache for a large Sidcup pack. Their attacking shape, so lacking in the previous league outing vs TJs, was much improved and created multiple opportunities that sadly, weren't taken on the day. When this group mix in with the current U17s, many of whom have been playing Academy 1st XV level this season, Oaks will have another strong contingent to work with next year.
The U16s now take a few weeks off before reconvening to have a pop at the Kent 7s competition in April.
Squad list : Taylor Nash, Jake Borawiak, Colby Bedford-Eatwell, Noah Bruce, Luca Esposito, Josh Martin, Harry Bouverie, George Booth, Zac Loder, Will Brook, Benjy Collingwood, Joel Walter (C), Will Taylor, Charlie Drysdale, Tom Hyde
Subs : Dylan Tootil, JC Vermuelen, Gerran Prescott, Harry Gullet, Max Harrison
First reserve : Arthuro Stephan