The Academy U16s secured their highest Kent League finishing position to date with a hard fought win at Blackheath on Sunday.
This win gives Oaks a finishing record of P7 W5 D0 L2 and a 3rd placed finish.
What will be even more pleasing to these young Oaks, was the clear signs of progress in their game. Admittedly, there have been times throughout the season where the progression in terms of playing style appeared to have stalled. However, the lineout maul dominance that was on display against league winners Aylesford was backed up in this game by some lovely first phase breaks and tries off scrum strikes.
The first half was a slightly stop-start affair as both defences were comfortably on top. Neither team was able to generate quick ruck ball or maintain attacking shape for long enough to create any real pressure on the opposition in phase play. Ultimately, the 1st half was a battle of which team could give away fewer penalties.
This was a battle that Oaks won as Blackheath's poor discipline gave Oaks several entries into their 22. Centre Tom Wilson broke the deadlock after a typically powerful Sevenoaks maul was halted just short of the tryline. 2nd row Louis Poracchia bounced out at speed and offered himself on the carry, generating quick ball which was moved to Wilson who powered through the outside defence to score. The try was converted by fly half, Josh McCann and Oaks were underway at 0-7.
Blackheath responded with some powerful carries through their midfield and finally began to get their offload game going. Oaks were tested defensively, but were able to hold out long enough to win a penalty and relieve the pressure. Blackheath then infringed again from the lineout maul and McCann kicked Oaks right back into the Blackheath 22. This time, it was flanker Ollie Immer who burrowed over from close range as Oaks worked their pick-and-go game off the maul. McCann was unsuccessful with the conversion, but Oaks found themselves 0-12 up at half time and with a clear path to victory.
The 2nd half was much more open than the 1st as neither team seemed able to exit their half effectively.
Blackheath got their first score from close range scrum after Oaks knocked on inside their own 22 from the restart. This was cancelled out a few minutes later when centre Heinrich Otto was put away down the left-hand side from close range after Blackheath themselves coughed up possession whilst trying to exit. More importantly, McCann was able to add the extras when the Blackheath kicker was not, giving Oaks a 5-19 lead.
Blackheath scored another close range try shortly after when Oaks gave a penalty away at the breakdown whilst once again struggling to execute their exit. This was in turn cancelled out by Oaks score from fullback Chris Marais. A wonderfully executed scrum strike saw No.8, Ed Roberts-Hutcheson, pick right and feed scrum half, Theo Loder who delayed his pass beautifully to drop Marais in between two defenders and take Oaks into a 12-24 lead with around 10 minutes to play.
Frustratingly for the visitors, yet again they were unable to exit effectively from the kickoff. This time round, the initial clearance from McCann was good, but the chase was disorganised and allowed Blackheath's dangerous midfield runners to pick defenders off one by one and work their to within 10m of the Oaks line. A penalty was conceded and the Blackheath No.8 reacted quickest, tapping and powering through a shell shocked Oaks tackle attempt to get the home side back within striking distance at 17-24.
What followed was perhaps the most satisfying period of play from the Oaks U16s this season. They forced another Blackheath error from the kickoff, winning a scrum out on the left, just outside the Blackheath 22. They executed another excellent scrum strike, with only an outstanding tackle from the home side denying Wilson his 2nd try. The ball was worked same way until it found Marais who so very nearly managed to put winger Daragh Mueller in for the decisive try. A knock-on in the tackle attempt by Blackheath gave Oaks a scrum on the right and one more attempt to finish the game off. They executed perfectly as a rock-solid scrum led to another brilliant strike play as Wilson took the ball right to the line before hitting McCann tight in the boot, who split the defence through the middle to go in untouched before adding one final conversion. 17-31.
Having secured their best ever league finish, the 16s now look forward to a short break before a fun day out at the Kent U16 7s to round off their season. It has been a season which took a while to get going, in spite of some good early results. Adapting to the academy style of play hasn't always come naturally and a lack of squad numbers has led to some tricky Sunday mornings and afternoons as players shifted into unknown positions to enable to team to fulfil friendlies and league fixtures. Underneath it all though, has been a resilience and desire to learn.
This group will continue to grow and develop under the new academy leadership - and several of them will play Academy 1st XV rugby next season. There is no doubt about that!
Squad list : Tobi Oke, Fergus McLay, Mason Hill, Louis Poracchia, Barnaby Yates, Ollie Immer, Ted Smith, Ed Roberts-Hutcheson, Theo Loder, Josh McCann (C), Max Lisovoy, Tom Wilson, Heinrich Otto, Daragh Mueller, Chris Marais
MotM : Heinrich Otto