The academy U16s travelled to Eltham College on Sunday, attempting to make it 3 wins from 3 in the Kent League.
Against an OEs side bosting several Saracens pathway players and with Oaks down to just 16 available players on the day, it felt like a tall order as the rain started to come down!
To their enormous credit, Oaks played the conditions extremely well. Fly half and captain, Josh McCann, consistently pushed OEs back with the boot. The back row of Ollie Immer, Ted Smith and Ed Roberts-Hutcheson were immense as they hunted down OEs back three players as they attempted to run the ball back.
This tactic proved so effective that Oaks led 0-7 at half time after a close range effort from Immer was converted by McCann with about 10 mins of the 1st half remaining.
It was more of the same in the 2nd half as Oaks maintained a territorial advantage for much of the 2nd half as well.
Indeed, a failed OEs counter from inside their own 10m line led to a penalty that McCann slotted through the posts to take Oaks into a 0-10 lead. This proved a sensible decision as Oaks failed in an exit of their own and the dangerous OEs midfield finally broke free of the shackles that centres Tom Wilson and Chris Marais had put them in up to this point.
OEs maintained possession close the line and eventually scored in the left hand corner to take the score to 5-10.
McCann responded a couple of minutes late with another kicked penalty to extend Oaks' lead to 5-13.
OEs finished the game strongly and barged over for a score with around one minute still to play. 12-13 and the game was still alive!
Fortunately, Oaks were able to muster one more big defensive effort from the kickoff to force a turnover and kick the ball out for a gutsy win.
This was a very pleasing win for Sevenoaks. Whilst there are still huge amounts to work-on in terms of fluidity and across the board understanding of the new systems and starters, the group showed massive physicality and no shortage of rugby IQ to get over the line in poor conditions against a significantly larger opposition.
Oaks face runaway leaders, Aylesford, this Sunday in their final league game before Christmas. It will be a huge challenge, but Oaks will be looking to give as good as they get once more.
Squad list : Mason Hill, Fergus McLay, Tobi Oke, Louis Poracchia, Jack Bomphrey, Ollie Immer, Ted Smith, Ed Roberts-Hutcheson, Theo Loder, Josh McCann (C), Max Lisovoy, Tom Wilson, Chris Marais, Daragh Mueller, Frankie Homewood
Subs : Lucas Payne
