The Academy U16s went down swinging against league pace setters Aylesford in a physical battle on Sunday.
Aylesford, who after this win are now 7 from 7 in the league, have been dominant this season at this age group. Their closest result before they rolled into the Paddock was a 45-17 win against TJs, who themselves are now on track to finish 2nd in the league.
The size of the challenge facing an Oaks age group who have quality players, but lack the numbers to roll subs on and off when the fatigue sets in, was clear.
It was clear within 5 minutes of the game starting that Aylesford had 2 or 3 players in particular who were of very high quality. Oaks were immediately put to the test defensively as the away side bombarded their try line with powerful carries and no shortage of wide threat. When a knock-on was forced by the home defence, it was celebrated like a cup win.
This somewhat set the tone for the 1st half. Grim and determined defence from the Oaks against a well drilled and athletic side, with the occasional ray of hope as the likes of fly half Josh McCann and centre Tom Wilson would demonstrate their own credentials with outstanding kicks for territory and line breaks off of 1st phase attack. Unfortunately, Oaks were unable to string multiple phases together under the pressure from the Aylesford defence and so the majority of the half was spent in Oaks' territory.
This eventually told as a botched Oaks exit was run back with intent by the every dangerous Aylesford back three. Oaks held out for multiple phases close to their line, but eventually the sheer weight of possession told and the visitors got their score.
Oaks went in at half time 0-7 down, but their ability to make line breaks off scrum strike as well as an increasingly dominant lineout driving game gave them belief that they could still win the game.
Unfortunately, Oaks' lack of overall numbers began to tell. Whilst Aylesford were able to bring on multiple fresh legs in the 2nd half and continue their high tempo game plan, Oaks had to rotate their two subs on and off in an attempt to keep pace with the visitors. It wasn't enough.
The determined defence of the 1st half had clearly taken it's toll as Aylesford carriers, especially their excellent fullback, started to find holes to exploit. Two quick fire tries from inside their own half gave Aylesford some breathing room and somewhat knocked the wind out of Oaks sails.
For their part, Oaks will be disappointed that they didn't make better use of their complete and utter dominance at the lineout, as errors on 1st phase off the driving maul continually gifted possession and territory back to Aylesford.
Aylesford sealed the game with another long range counter with about 10 mins left to go and suddenly, there was a very real tension in the air that the 0-24 scoreline might develop into a full-on rout if Oaks couldn't keep hold of possession.
Aylesford's inability to legally deal with Oaks' maul gave the home side one final bite of the cherry as they won 3 penalties in quick succession to work their way from their own 22 up to about 8m out from the Aylesford tryline. Aylesford tried their best to roll the maul towards the touchline, but flanker and MotM Ted Smith was able to spring off the side and power over from close range to give Oaks' a deserved consolation. McCann added the extras and Oaks left the field beaten, but with their heads held high at 7-24.
Oaks still have one more league game left vs Blackheath in March, in which they will be aiming to solidify a 3rd placed finish in the league. This would be an improvement on last season and would be no more than they deserve for the steps taken forward in certain parts of their game. The set piece has become a genuine threat and the physicality of their defence for large chunks of this game was superb. Areas for improvement continue to be catch and pass under pressure, but also the ability to maintain attacking shape and with it, apply more sustained pressure to the opposition defence.
Squad list : Tobi Oke, Fergus McLay, Ed Roberts-Hutcheson, Louis Poracchia, Barnaby Yates, Ollie Immer, Ted Smith, Charlie Helmer, Theo Loder, Josh McCann (C), Max Lisovoy, Tom Wilson, James Wiseman, Daragh Mueller, Chris Marais
Subs : Mason Hill, Lucas Payne
Man of the Match - Ted Smith