Just two weeks before they meet in the 3rd round of the National Cup, Oaks and TJs met for the return leg of their Kent League fixtures. Oaks had gone down 15-10 away at TJs at the beginning of the season and were keen to make amends.
With neither team in a position to win the league, both sets of coaches agreed to rotate their squads to give players opportunities to try and force their way into National Cup selection.
Any notion that the quality of the game would suffer as a result of this was quickly dispelled.
TJs started strongly, with physical carries through the midfield sucking in Oaks defenders. Oaks got a little narrow after one such carry and TJs took full advantage, spreading the ball wide and dotting down in the left corner for an early lead. The extras were added for a 0-7 scoreline.
To their credit, Oaks responded well. Some well executed shape and pattern led to a Shirtcliff line break through the middle of the TJs defence. TJs scrambled well but knocked-on having managed to smuggle possession back. From the split field scrum, Oaks worked a nice shortside move with fly half Pat Spice putting winger Jon Odeyimi away on the left for Oaks' 1st try. Shirty was unable to add the conversion on this occasion. 5-7.
Almost immediately from the kickoff, Sevenoaks worked another clever shortside attack and made big yards down the left-hand flank. They maintained possession and pressure which led to a penalty and then lineout inside the TJs 22. A trademark Oaks lineout drive enabled prop Alby Butt to dot down and take Oaks ahead. Shirty added the extras. 12-7.
Oaks had started to dominate territory, with Shirtcliff and Spice noticing some indecision in the TJs backfield and repeatedly probing with smart kicking options. Oaks managed to win another lineout inside the TJs 22, but got their timings wrong and conceded a frustrating penalty. However, TJs missed touch and the young Oaks launched an impressive counter attack. Several phases of quick ruck ball presented Spice with a gap in the TJs defence. He stepped through before feeding hooker Elliot Wright for Oaks' 3rd try. Shirty again added the conversion. Oaks had gone from being 0-7 down early on to being in control at 19-7.
TJs came back fighting and their big carriers started to make bigger dents in the Oaks defence. The home side's discipline worsened under pressure. Repeated infringements close to the line led to a yellow card for flanker Adam Vickers. TJs took full advantage of the numerical advantage. They worked the ball wide from a lineout, before a clever tip-pass on the gainline created their 2nd try of the day. They converted to bring the score to 19-14.
Oaks immediately applied pressure once again and won two penalties in reasonably quick succession. One went wide, but the next went through the sticks to give Oaks a 22-14 half time lead.
Sadly, this was to be the last time Oaks would register points. A combination of unforced errors from Oaks and a much-improved showing from the visitors led to the majority of the 2nd half being played in Oaks' territory.
First, TJs took advantage of poor defensive reads on the outside of the home defence work walk-in out wide on the right. No conversion brought the score to 22-19.
TJs then really flexed their muscles and whilst Oaks' defended bravely to prevent another try, two more kickable penalties brought the scores to 22-22 and finally 22-25 in the visitors' favour at the full-time whistle.
A hugely frustrating day for Sevenoaks. A really promising 1st half was ultimately undone by a poor performance in the 2nd half. Discipline, unforced errors in attack and defensive decision-making out wide are the major work-ons between now and when these sides meet again in a fortnight. That being said, there were plenty of performances to be proud of. 2nd row James Kerton made a strong case for inclusion with a hard-working display and Elliot Peters led from the front at 7. Pat Spice and Zac Shirtcliff produced mature performances with no shortage of skill and vision, as proven by two of the three Oaks tries on the day. There was also the return to the fold of talented Sevenoaks School back, Jonny Francombe and the debut of new prop from Trinity School, Sevenoaks - Drew Mercer.
Next weekend sees the Academy 2nd XV welcome Sittingbourne and Sheppey U18s whilst the Academy U16s have a big derby match away at Medway.
Squad List: Alby Butt, Elliot Wright, Harry Corsini, James Kerton, Sam Keenan, Adam Vickers, Elliot Peters, Ben Sellors, Mac Leason, Patrick Spice, Jon Odeyimi, Finn Good, Zac Shirtcliff (C), Jonny Francombe, Juan Barnard.
Subs: Drew Mercer, Charlie Day, Rhys Williams, Henry Lynch