Sunday 28 November 2021
Sevenoaks 24 Tunbridge Wells 39
Sluggish Start Hold Oaks Back
On a bitterly cold late November Sunday Oaks kicked off against Tunbridge Wells in a match played over four quarters. Oaks started very slowly and their lack of match practice showed as aggression was lacking in rucks and in the tackle. Tunbridge Wells were not particularly strong themselves from a team perspective but had a couple of very good individual players - one big and strong forward who was fairly quick plus a diminutive speedster in in their backline. By the end of the second quarter Oaks were well behind and looking like they’d rather be anywhere else than on a rugby pitch facing a biting wind!
In the third quarter, however, the momentum seemed to suddenly swing - Maddie did well to stem the flow by making some solo advances and from one of these Jaime picked up a loose ball and curved a 30 yard run in behind the TWs defence to the right corner before being stopped on the line where Imogen was on hand to run the ball home. Maddie herself then ran home a penalty from close range before again storming a startled away defence before the ball was shipped out wide to Valentina for her fist try for Oaks – well done!
Tunbridge Wells deserved the win overall due to a sluggish start from Oaks but well done to Maddie who was named forward player of the match and Imogen for being nominated as back's player of the match. Plenty to work on but lots of positives too – onwards and upwards!