Sevenoaks Academy welcomed Brentwood to the Paddock on Sunday April 7th for a friendly that would mark the final fixture as academy players for our U18 contingent.
Appropriately, the usual mix of U18s and U17s to form an academy 1st XV was scrapped for the day and all available U18s took part in a big squad friendly against an unfortunately depleted Brentwood side.
Oaks had a whopping 28 U18s available and in the spirit of rugby, players took turns playing for Brentwood in order to keep the match at 15v15.
It was an enjoyably morning's work for Oaks as they ran in 6 first half tries off the back of some fantastic running rugby. Prop Will Tarry, captain and centre Fin Stables (who was not so fresh off the back of the senior men's 2nd XV league win the day before!), winger Oli Ebsworth, no.8 Liam Thomas and hooker Frank Kitchen all bagged tries (Kitchen x2). Fly half Max Lindsay couldn't miss in the 1st half and so Oaks led 42-0 at the break.
Oaks continued to ring the changes in the 2nd half, but the fluidity of the performance remained. Tries from flanker Jamie Catchpole, winger Jake Tucker, centre Freddie Rudd and scrum half Louis Parker sandwiched a consolation score for a battling Brentwood. Lindsay converted one of the 2nd half tries to bring the final score to 64-7.
After a season that all would admit did not quite match expectations in terms of results and silverware, this friendly was a timely reminded that this group remain one of the most talented that the club has produced. One England U18/U19 representative, 5 players selected to play in full Saracens U18 academy fixtures across the season as well as 3 more Kent U18 representatives. Indeed, this group are the definition of being victims of their own success! Most importantly though, they have reached the final week of their final season of age group rugby with over 30 players still registered and playing regular fixtures for their club team. In the current rugby climate, that is a massive achievement in itself!
Squad list : Will Tarry, Andrich Skein, Peter LaTrobe, Sam Benjamin, Nic McLean, Frank Kitchen, Charlie Andrews, Raphi Simmonds-Dance, Zach Johnson, Jamie Catchpole, Tom Hewitt, Liam Thomas, Zach Ferguson, Louis Parker, Sam Sherwood, Max Lindsay, Ben Pearl, Fin Stables (C), Jake Tucker, Freddie Rudd, Elijah Youngson, Isaac Canham, Oli Ebsworth, Max Avery, Sam Keenor, Rhain Coombes, Alex Holden, Charlie Thomas