Sevenoaks Academy 1st XV welcomed Dorking to The Paddock for a crunch National Cup encounter on a grey but dry Sunday lunchtime.
Despite early Dorking pressure, it was Sevenoaks who first troubled the scorers with inside centre Tom Sarkesian slotting an early penalty from in front of the posts. From there, Oaks really begun to build into the game and put together some threatening phases of attack. The pressure finally told as fly half Josh Kemp delivered an audacious chip kick for Outside Centre LaTrobe to dot down under the posts. Sarkesian slotted the extras. Despite, Oaks exerting further pressure it was Dorking who scored next. A series of penalties gave the visitors perfect field position and a smart move off of the front of a rolling maul saw them crash over in the corner on the stroke of half time. 10 -5 to the hosts at the break.
The Surrey men started the second stanza in excellent fashion with their powerful forward runners making inroads into Oaks territory. However, it was Oaks who struck first as a smart move in midfield opened up space on the left wing. Substitute, Cameron Stewart broke clear and evaded 3 or 4 ‘would be’ tacklers to complete one of finishes of the season. However, Dorking were not to be curtailed and deservedly scored their second try of the game by capitalising on a misplaced Sevenoaks pass to score. As time wound down both sides had excellent chances to add to their totals but ultimately the defences won through and the game finished 15 – 10 to the young Oaks.
Academy Head Coach Paul Dawson said, ‘Firstly, huge credit to Dorking. They are a strong, well organised outfit and contributed fully to an extremely competitive game.
I am delighted for our boys and they fully deserve to be in the next round. Once again we showed our potential in glimpses, but our heart and commitment got us over the line. We are under no illusions that we have a lot of work to do to be competitive in the next round and I can’t wait to get stuck in again this week.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who came down to The Paddock to cheer the boys on, we hope to create an even better atmosphere for the visit of London Irish in the next round on 9th February.’