The young Oaks welcomed Aylesford Bulls to the Paddock on Sunday for a high-energy encounter between two large squads.
Bulls have had some availability issues thus far this season - Oaks can certainly relate - and thus requested a game of three thirds in which they could get game time for their entire U18s squad.
Oaks obliged and took the opportunity to rest chunks of their local grammar school contingent, many of whom had already played a midweek game followed by a Saturday fixture. In spite of several new combinations, Oaks put it in a strong showing built upon the foundations of huge amounts of energy and desire.
It was actually Bulls who struck first. After a lively opening few minutes from both sides, Aylesford spotted space in the Oaks backfield and forced a goal-line dropout. Oaks were unable to get much distance on the restart and powerful Bulls carrying had them over the tryline two phases later. Their kicker nailed the conversion to give them an early 0-7 lead.
Conceding early has been a theme of Oaks' season. What appears to be changing however, is the response to these early setbacks. Straight from the restart, Oaks applied defensive pressure to the Bulls carriers to force a scrum. Having almost scored with another first phase strike play, Oaks were able to go through multiple phases whilst retaining their shape and width. The pressure finally told as prop Alby Butt powered over from close range. Captain for the day, Zac Shirtcliff slotted the extras to bring Oaks level at 7-7 as the 1st third of the match drew to a close.
Aylesford struck first in the 2nd third, forcing a penalty from the Oaks kick-off receipt. Bulls opted for the 3 pointer and went back into the lead at 7-10.
Oaks once again responded immediately. A penalty was forced from the kick-off for holding onto the ball on the floor and Oaks went deep into the corner. A trademark catch-and-drive led to hooker Elliot Wright dotting the ball down over the line for Oaks' 2nd try. No conversion from Shirtcliff on this occasion, but Oaks took the lead for the first time in the match. 12-10.
Oaks took control for the remainder of this middle third of the game, with their wide-wide shape causing a lot of problems for the Bulls defence. After one particular attack that went beyond 10 phases, Shirtcliff stepped off his outside leg to carve through the defence before beating the cover to score under the posts. He converted his own try to take Oaks into the final third 19-10 up.
Oaks carried on where they left off in the final third as more accurate phase play in the Bulls 22 was rewarded when outstanding fly half Louis Bouverie found Wright on a beautifully executed unders line to split the defence for Oaks' 4th try. 24-10.
Bulls upped their physicality in defence as they tried to mount a comeback and actually succeeded in pinning Oaks deep inside their 22. An Oaks scrum under massive pressure in front of the posts looked ominous for the home side as Bulls cranked up the heat. Oaks somehow got the ball away to Bouverie who proceeded to step inside his opposite man before stepping outside the inside cover and accelerating off down the field. He fixed the Bulls fullback before feeding U16 winger and 1st team debutant Raphi Simmonds-Dance. RSD still had more than 50m to go once receiving the ball but his pace and power did for the Bulls cover as he went in under the posts to seal a very popular victory for the Oaks supporters. With Shirtcliff in the bin for a team yellow, Finn Good - another 1s debutant - stepped up to slot the conversion. 31-10.
Aylesford knew the match was done at this point, but to their credit they pushed hard for the final score. Oaks started to fall off some tackles in the midfield and Bulls found their way up into the Oaks 22. This time they weren't to be denied. Despite an outrageous cover tackle from Shirtcliff - now back on the field - Oaks were unable to keep the visitors out from close range. Bulls converted their try to close the gap to 31-17 with a couple of minutes to go.
Oaks almost responded with another immediate repost as a turnover from the restart gave them territory close to the Aylesford line. Finn Good went for an audacious chip and chase, which he came within millimetres of pulling off. It was not to be and the final whistle went.
Despite being a friendly in which both sides made use of large benches, this game felt like a bit of turning point for Oaks. Their attacking shape and depth was the best it has been all season and their defensive width was much improved from previous fixtures. No fewer than 7 players made their Academy 1st XV debuts. Two of them, try scorer Simmonds-Dance and Oli Ebsworth, became the 5th and 6th U16s to play in the 1s this season. Debutants and regulars alike brought massive energy in everything they did. Jack Ludden led the forward pack assuredly in the absence of captain Will Murphy, whilst fullback Juan Barnard demonstrated yet again why he has featured so prominently for the 1s this season.
With round 2 of the National Cup due at home to Heathfield and Waldron next Sunday (Oct 24th), Oaks are in a much better place than they were just two weeks ago.
Squad list: Alby Butt, Elliot Wright, Tom Watkins, Jack Ludden, Sam Keenan, Damien May, Elliot Peters, Ben Sellors, Mac Leason, Louis Bouverie, Henry Lynch, Finn Good, Zac Shirtcliff (C), Jon Odeyimi, Juan Barnard
Subs: Alex Watkins, Tom Hunt, Rhys Owen, Charlie Day, Adam Davies, Raphi Simmonds-Dance, Oli Ebsworth