MotM and birthday boy Josh Martin
Oaks Academy 1st XV travelled to their old rivals Sidcup last Sunday in an attempt to lock up 3rd place in the Kent League and with it, guarantee National Cup rugby next season.
The visitors started brightly as centre good they forced a turnover from the kickoff and immediately went on the attack, forcing a kickable penalty which centre George Rehbein happily knocked over.
Unfortunately, Oaks' nemesis, the failed exit, reared it's ugly head again as possession was given straight back to Sidcup off the restart. Oaks weren't yet quite as awake in defence as they were in attack and Sidcup powered over after failed to number up on their left. The conversion was added and the hosts led 7-3 after 5 mins.
Oaks scored two tries in quick succession as they decided the best way to exit was simply to run from everywhere. First, winger Tom Hyde got on the end of a lovely chip over the defence from fly half Will Brook, with Rehbein adding the extras. Hooker, Harry Gullett, then made a ridiculous 50m break after powering through some weak tackling to put Oaks into a 7-15 lead.
However, Oaks were made to pay for combining their inability consistently exit with a failure to capitalise on what felt like a line break every other possession. Sidcup won possession back off the restart from Gullett's try and forced a penalty that was kicked into the corner. Oaks dealt admirably with the initial maul, but Sidcup were lively in their possession and several phases later found a week shoulder to go in under the posts. The half time score, 14-15.
Oaks were unable to get over their exit curse as they conceded an early 2nd half penalty which Sidcup slotted to take a 17-15 lead.
What followed was the longest sustained period in the game without a score as Oaks made several line breaks, only to rush and spill the ball or be isolated and turned over at the last. It seemed as if they might get away with this as winger Joe Strebel finished off a wonderful counter attack score that was converted by Rehbein to give Oaks a 17-22 lead with a little 5 mins to go.
To their credit, Oaks' final failed exit felt harsh, as a dominant driving maul was pulled down by the hosts, but not in the opinion of the referee. He deemed it a tackle, which meant Oak's were then penalised for not releasing on the floor. This double whammy put Sidcup deep inside the Oaks 22 with a few minutes left on the clock (or so the visitors believed). Sidcup constructed a patient and powerful attack, sapping Oaks' energy until their big 2nd row busted out of a tackle 10 metres out to pile over between the sticks. The conversion was added and Oaks' coaching staff were dismayed to then realise that the referee had blown for full time, despite their being at least 2-3 mins left to play. Final score, Sidcup 24-22 Oaks.
It was a sour note on which to end what, for the neutral at least, was a hugely entertaining game of rugby. Late referee calls aside, Oaks have to take the lion's share of responsibility for not putting this game away earlier. The line breaks in open play must have been nearly double digits, and yet only three were converted into scores. This lack of ruthlessness has been a theme in all games this season with the exception of the National Cup win vs Dorking. Poor exit execution and conceding points right after scoring have also been key factors in this group not quite hitting the heights that would previously have been expected.
In more positive news, other results going their way meant that Oaks did still manage to gain a 3rd placed finish in the league. Oaks will play National Cup rugby again next season!
Pictured - Man of the Match, No.8 Josh Martin
Squad list : Charlie Gillespie, Harry Gullett, Colby Bedford-Eatwell, George Booth (C), Noah Bruce, Tom Kerton, Ed Karsak, Josh Martin, Will Blackmore, Will Brook, Tom Hyde, George Rehbein, Gerran Prescott, Charlie Drysdale, Joel Walter
Subs : Sam Pearl, Callum Le Roux, Joe Strebel, Lucas Rumunn
This years academy Graduates!