In the second of five planned May fixtures of the Oaks Academy senior players, Oaks came out on top in an end-to-end encounter.
This week's group were tasked with raising the physicality to accompany last week's attacking adventure. Ultimately, despite plenty of work-ons, it was a combination of these two facets that led to an Oaks win.
Bulls were actually first to score after an opening salvo that again had no shortage of energy from both sides, but lacked accuracy. Ultimately Bulls were first to gain sufficient territory and they found their way through some somewhat subpar Oaks tackling close to the line to score. No conversion, 5-0 Bulls.
To their credit Oaks responded immediately. After regaining possession several phases after the kick off, Oaks worked the ball cleverly down the right hand side with some lovely interplay out of contact. The seemingly never-ending support runners did for Aylesford's cover and Rory Baillie ultimately took the final pass to score. 5-5.
Oaks' next score came straight out of the play book as they executed an (almost) perfect starter play off lineout to quickly outflank the Bulls defence on the far side. Jakey Ivell got away down the outside before feeding winger Jamie Munday back on the inside to go in under the sticks. Ivell then added his first conversion of the day to take Oaks into a 5-12 lead.
Unfortunately, the theme of poor exits from Oaks continued into this fixture and true to form possession was coughed up inside their own 22 within several phases of the kick-off receipt. Bulls took full advantage with a tidy score outside from the turnover. Their kicker was successful this time around and levelled the scores at 12-12.
Clearly frustrated by their previous generosity, Oaks applied serious pressure from the ensuing kick-off. Possession was won back and Oaks found themselves within 5m of the Bulls try line. A patience not yet seen in this group was demonstrated and reminiscent of the promotion winning senior side of 2018/2019, the young Oaks used the pick and go over several phases before Edgar Payne-Sanchez powered over close to the posts. Ivell added the extras to send Oaks in 12-19 up at half time.
The 2nd half, whilst truly entertaining for the neutral, made for frustrating viewing for the Oaks coaching staff. The theme of Oaks gifting points to Bulls from poor exits before then immediately scoring themselves continued.
A close range Bulls score from yet another poor exit was followed immediately by Oaks' hooker Charlie Galligan crashing over down the shortside after some more impressive close range pick and go work. 19-26.
Oaks seemed to have cracked it when they successfully exited their half from kick-off and ran the ball deep into Aylesford territory. Bulls survived and won the turnover but a poor kick down the throat of fullback Ivell led to a superb break down the left hand side before dotting the ball down to take Oaks into a 19-31 lead.
Unfortunately, at this point Oaks entered their least accurate portion of the match. Another poor kick off drill led Bulls powering over to take the score to 26-31 before a lapse in concentration in defence allowed Bulls to sprint away from kick-off and deep into Oaks territory. Some excellent cover tackling from Jakey Ivell prevented an Aylesford score but Oaks botched the lineout. Bulls took full advantage and whipped the ball wide to level the scores at 31-31.
It appeared that a repeat of the previous week's late implosion was on the cards. Credit must go to the young Oaks for what followed. Oaks' defensive urgency and physicality from the following kick-off went up significantly. More importantly this was married with much improved discipline to pin Aylesford deep in their own 22 for a prolonged 5 minute spell. The pressure eventually told as a brave Bulls defensive effort close to their line was followed by another poor kick down the centre of the field. This time the ball found hooker Galligan who rounded the outside defence with a spectacular turn of pace before feeding scrum half Charlie Williams back on the inside to score and take Oaks into a late 31-36 lead. The improved discipline and accuracy which led to the final score was maintained for the next couple of mins and the young Oaks took the spoils.
The biggest positive to take from this encounter was that for pretty much everyone taking part, this was their first victory over and Aylesford side. Clear signs of improvement even with the challenges of this past 12 months.
The major work-ons for this group remain the same - respect for territory and possession. If they can marry these qualities with their frankly lethal counter-attack and support play, they will be truly formidable.
Next up for the academy seniors are Blackheath away on May 16th.
Oaks Academy Squad: Jacob Ivell, Jamie Munday, Elliot Haselden, Zac Shirtcliff, Pip Hodson, Billy Boyd, Rory Baillie, Will Murphy, Ben Sellors, Edgar Payne-Sanchez, Adam Vickers, Harvey Venables, Fin Rice, Elliot Peters, Andrew Dott
Substitutes: Charlie Galligan, Will Dinsmore, Josh Benjamin, Jack Ludden, Rhys Owen, Charlie Williams, Josh Vick
Sevenoaks Academy 1st/2nd XV squad versus Aylesford Bulls