With the competitive season being over, Oaks and TJs agreed to field U17-heavy sides for a friendly as both clubs look ahead to next season.
Fixtures during the Easter break can be tricky in terms of availability. Oaks were missing 6 to 7 players who would have a reasonable shout at being academy 1st XV players next season, but TJs were clearly missing a few more in key positions, which ultimately gave a very competitive game and slightly one-sided final score.
It became evident very early in the game that Oaks had the ascendency in the outside backs as two wonderfully executed counter attacks from impressive fullback Hamish McQueen led to tries for flanker James de Stefani (one of three U18s selected due to being unavailable last weekend) and centre Joel Walter. Fly half Will Brook converted one from two to give Oaks an early 14-0 lead.
TJs main area of quality was in their forward pack, which they used to good effect after some poor Oaks discipline gave the visitors multiple attempts from close range. Eventually, TJs barrelled over to bring the score to 14-5.
The remainder of the 1st half was hugely physical and competitive, but Oaks' ability to strike from inside their own half was proving to be the difference maker as tries from centre Gerran Prescott and from the maestro McQueen himself sandwiched another close range TJs score to give the home side a 24-12 lead at half time.
Oaks went in at the break very happy with their work in attack, but less so with their defence and discipline.
Whilst discipline did continue to be an issue at times in the 2nd half, Oaks massively improved their defence and limited the visitors to one try - the result of an overly ambitious exit backfiring and giving the visiting pack the lift they needed to batter away for a concerted period before dotting down.
This score turned out to be a consolation however, as it was sandwiched by four 2nd half tries for the home side. Captain George Booth bagged two tries early in the half with trademark blockbuster carries from just inside the TJs 22. Perhaps the most satisfying try of the match followed as Oaks were able to execute six phases of textbook close range attacking shape to give centre Joel Walter a walk-in for his 2nd try of the game. A quick tap from inside their own half as the clock ticked down led to Oaks winger Tom Hyde wrapping things up with Oaks' 8th try. Brook converted three of the 2nd half tries to give Oaks a 50-19 win.
Whilst Oaks are under no illusions about the mixed ability nature of this particular TJs team, they played what was in front of them very well on the day. The clear improvements to key areas in the 2nd half demonstrate a coachability that will be needed when these two massive clubs inevitably meet at some point in the league or cup next season.
Squad list : Taylor Nash, Harry Gullett, Colby Bedford-Eatwell, George Booth (C), Jamie Wishart, Toby Lenaghan, James de Stefani, Harry Scott, Zac Loder, Will Brook, Charlie Drysdale, Gerran Prescott, Joel Walter, Tom Hyde, Hamish McQueen
Subs : Jack Kaye, Charlie Gillespie, Fionn Daly, Kam Satrettin, Jayden Jackson
MotM : George Booth
MotM : George Booth