The academy 2s went down fighting on Sunday against a physical Tunbridge Wells outfit.
Preston Williams - MotM
Wells were suffering from poor availability in the build up to the game, so 13-a-side was agreed with 6 man scrums.
It was the away side who took advantage of the extra space, especially on the counter attack. Oaks defended resolutely throughout a physical 1st half and constructed several meaningful attacks of their own, but unfortunately the final pass (as is so often the case) failed to find it's man. Wells, by contrast, managed to convert one of their more dangerous looking attacks midway through the half to go in 0-7 up at half time.
Oaks would have been hopeful that their superior squad numbers would tell as the game wore on. However, their lack of accuracy in attack meant that they were never able to ramp the pace up enough for fresh legs to make a big enough difference.
Wells were just that bit more clinical at the breakdown and close to the try line, adding 3 more tries and two more conversions to ultimately run out comfortable winners at 0-26.
For their part, Oaks have always known that this league season would be challenging at 2s level. There have been bright spots - the away win at Gravesend at the start of the season being one. The major focus will need to be on stringing phases together more effectively, as well as remaining patient when in sight of the opposition try line.
The result aside, it was great to see the lads playing again after a lengthy layoff. New boy Freddie Thompson acquitted himself well at fullback. Jack Pearson and Yiannis Papadopoulos demonstrated why they've both had 1st team minutes this season with industrious carrying and tacking displays. Preston Williams had his best game of the season, ironically have shifted from fullback to wing, as he deservedly claimed MotM.
Squad list : Jack Pearson, Yiannis Papadopoulos (C), Gurvan Ollivier, Toby Lenaghan, Jamie Wishart, Luke Coll, Toby Shrimpton, Will Blackmore, James Banks, Charlie Vowls, Jayden Jackson, Preston Williams, Freddie Thompson
Subs : Jack Kaye, Hermann Waschefort, Ben Thomson, Ben Shelley, Owen Abel, Priam Van Asche