The Oaks Academy 1st XV finally ended their losing run with an emphatic win over a combative Old Reigatians.
Oaks were made to work for it amidst the frankly stunning Surrey countryside as they wore down the opposition before pulling away in the 2nd half.
The opening exchanges were scrappy at best. Sadly, the breakdown was a bit of a mess and this made it very difficult for either team to find any kind of rhythm. After withstanding some early Reigatians pressure, Oaks' massively improved kicking game enabled them to pin ORs back inside their own half. An Oaks penalty led to a lineout in ORs 22. Oaks constructed a now typical driving maul, before launching a slick wide backs strike resulting in winger 'Big Joe' Ryder going over in the far corner. No conversion and Oaks led 0-5.
The game continued to be scrappy with defences dominating and ruck ball being somewhat on the slow side. However, Oaks were beginning to edge the territory battle and when Reigatians slipped up in a scrum 5m out from their line, Oaks new boy Mac Leason reacted first to scoop up the loose ball and dive over for Oaks' 2nd. Again, the conversion was just wide. 0-10.
Immediately from the kickoff, back row Barnaby Thomas - now playing on the wing due to early Oaks injuries - broke from deep. Although ORs were able to bring him down inside their 22, the damage had been done. Oaks maintained pressure through several phases of quick ball before Zac Shirtcliff cut a fantastic line off fly half Louis Bouverie for Oaks' 3rd score. The swan dive from Shirtcliff highlighted the elation of the group at finally clicking in attack after months of hard work. Shirty converted his own try to send Oaks in 0-17 to the good at half time.
Oaks started the 2nd half brightly, knowing that another score could put the game to bed. They managed just that as a well-worked scrum strike put Thomas away down the left flank. He was once again stopped just inside the ORs 22. However, so many defenders had been lost that just two phases later Bouverie was able to grubber through for flanker Ben Sellors to score under the posts. Shirtcliff slotted the conversion and Oaks were now on their way. 0-24.
ORs were now starting to fatigue. The big defensive shots that Oaks had been contending with since the start of the game were now becoming more sporadic. This fatigue was affecting the ORs attack as well and a turnover once again put Thomas away down the left. He was somehow stopped again but Reigatians infringed in the process. Shirtcliff acted quickest, taking a quick tap before kicking crossfield to Ryder who gathered for his 2nd and Oaks' 5th. 0-29.
Another scrum strike from deep minutes later gave Oaks their 6th try as Patrick Spice broke the line before multiple supporting offloads put Ryder in for his hattrick. Shirtcliff added the extras to take Oaks up to 0-36.
Oaks finished with a flourish. Ryder got his 4th try from another crossfield kick, this time from Bouverie after another impressive lineout drive from Murphy, Ludden and co. Thomas finally got his try after an amazing solo effort from deep. Finally, Elliot Wright broke through the middle of the ORs defence before taking their fullback on the outside to score Oaks' 9th and final try of the day.
Final score, 0-55.
This was an important day for the young Oaks. They are still competing with many significant contributors unavailable. Yet the manner in which they stuck together through a frustrating first 20 minutes hints at a corner being turned. Their kicking game has come along in leaps and bounds and some of their unstructured attack was high class. There are obviously still plenty of work-ons if this win is to be the catalyst for bigger and better things, but some much needed confidence has hopefully been restored.
Next up is a squad friendly at home vs Aylesford Bulls on Sunday October 17th.
Squad list : Alby Butt, Dominic Stangroome, Gregor Pauling, Jack Ludden, Barnaby Thomas, Frank Kitchen, Elliot Peters, Will Murphy (C), Sam Hopkins, Louis Bouverie, Juan Barnard, Zac Shirtcliff, Angus Hall, Joe Ryder, Patrick Spice
Subs: Luke Walter, Damien May, Elliot Wright, Ben Sellors, Mac Leason
