The Academy 1st XV welcomed the Sussex team to the Paddock on Sunday for round 2 of the RFU U18 National Cup. Having come out comfortable winners in their round 1 matchup, Oaks were expecting a sterner test this time out. In spite of the score line, that is exactly what they got.
Oaks started much as they have throughout the season. Lots of energy and enthusiasm but with a lack of control. An early missed penalty by Heathfield was a bit of a let off for sloppy Oaks discipline around the ruck.
The home team took full advantage of their good fortune and worked a strong position inside the Heathfield 22. A strong drive from an ensuing lineout allowed prop Alex Watkins to dot down over the line for an early Oaks score. 5-0.
Oaks' poor discipline both at ruck time and on the offside line would be a theme of the match as they continually undermined strong defence around the ruck with the concession of unnecessary penalties.
Unlike in the round 1 fixture, this opposition were ready and able to take advantage of easy access into the Oaks 22. Poor Oaks work rate around the corner in defence allowed Heathfield to capitalise on a huge numerical advantage on the Oaks left flank. The ball was moved wide quickly and accurately for the equalising score. The following conversion took the visitors into a 5-7 lead.
The next 10-15 minutes were a real test for the home side as H&W consistently took advantage of poor numbering up in defence to find space out wide and get in behind the Oaks defence with clever attacking kicks. One such break led to a somewhat desperate period of defence from Oaks, during which they somehow forced a turnover. They broke out from deep and were only stopped a few metres out from the away team's try line. Several powerful pick-and-gos later, Watkins was over for his 2nd try. Zac Shirtcliff added the extras to take Oaks in 12-7 up at half time.
The 2nd half followed much the same theme as the first. Oaks' poor discipline meant most of the half was actually played inside the home side's territory. However, Oaks had identified weaknesses in the H&W defence. Centre Fin Stables sliced through off a scrum strike inside the Oaks half before going all the way to score Oaks' 3rd try of the game. Shirtcliff again added the extras to make the score 19-7.
Heathfield once again highlighted Oaks' achilles heel as more needless penalties were conceded in the middle third. The away team constructed a tidy two-phase starter play from an attacking lineout in the Oaks half. With Oaks once again failing to fold around the corner in defence, the ball was worked wide to the H&W left winger who went in untouched. No conversion brought the scores to 19-12 with around 25 minutes to play.
Heathfield now very much believed they could win the game and in reality, they could have. Unfortunately for them, they had no answer to 30 second bursts of pace and power that the Oaks were blasting out in between periods of mediocrity.
Stables bagged his 2nd try and replacement scrum half Adam Davies got on the end of Zac Shirtcliff pass to score Oaks' 5th. Both tries came from deep, either side of a Shirtcliff penalty. The game was now beyond Heathfield's reach at 34-12 but to their credit they continued to throw the kitchen sink at the Sevenoaks defence whenever they had possession. A powerful break from their very impressive number 12 gave them some reward for their efforts and brought the score to 34-19.
The final try of the game was somewhat comical as Oaks actually fluffed their lines from a split field scrum. The wayward pass completely halted the Heathfield defence and Stables took full advantage to power through some weak tackling to score his hattrick. Shirtcliff added his 4th conversion of match to bring the final score to 41-19.
Oaks progress to round 3 of the National Cup with two strong results under their belts. However, further progress will very much depend on the young Oaks massively improving their discipline on both sides of the ball. Heathfield were afforded far too many easy entries into Oaks territory and far too much space out wide. One has to conclude that in a national competition, a 3rd round opposition will punish these errors more ruthlessly. On the flip side, Oaks are finding energy levels in the latter stages of matches that opposition teams are currently struggling to deal with. It should also be noted that Oaks were missing several senior players due to the half-term holidays.
Sevenoaks now await confirmation of their round 3 opposition with baited breath.
Squad list : Alby Butt, Elliot Wright, Alex Watkins, Jack Ludden, Gregor Pauling, Barnaby Thomas, Elliot Peters, Ben Sellors, Sam Hopkins, Louis Bouverie, Raphi Simmonds-Dance, Zac Shirtcliff, Fin Stables, Ollie Ebsworth, Juan Barnard
Subs : Tom Watkins, Damien May, Frank Kitchen, Adam Davies, Jon Odeyimi