Reports 13
Sevenoaks A 50 Dartfordians A 14; Sevenoaks B 5 Dartfordians A/B 33
18 Dec 2008
Darts get the point against rampant U13s
Sevenoaks under 13's returned to action after two weeks of training with a home fixture against a Dartfordians team that had beaten them at a recent festival. Oaks began the game brightly with several forward drives through Vizard, Thresher and Sinclair and with the forwards in control at the scrums against Darts big pack the backs were able to move the ball around with freedom.
Fullback Urquhart, fresh from training with Saracens Academy, entered the line at pace and took a superb pass from centre Poland before beating four flailing defenders to open the scoring. The restart was superbly caught by lock Taylor, who with his second row partner Killick, had a superb game, and after three successive quick rucks the ball was moved wide to Urquhart, again hitting the line at pace, who linked intelligently with winger Parker who crashed over for the score.
With Oaks 10-0 up at half time the game was very much in the balance as Darts looked threatening through their forwards. However, straight from the whistle the hosts upped both their physicality and pace, led brilliantly by man of the match Sinclair at 7. Vizard and then Urquhart added to the scoring and McKerlie added the conversions to put Oaks 24-0 up. As Darts started to tire and injuries took their toll Oaks scored a brilliant try in the corner after a clever break by skilful fly half Turner. Orsbourne and Fearn in the midfield took the ball on with the help from number 8 Thresher before it was fed to Urquhart out wide, who outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner.
Darts didn't lie down however and to their credit they rallied and after a series of attacks close to the Oaks line, their forwards delivered two converted tries to make the score 29-14. Once again Oaks increased the intensity and after a clever midfield switch flanker Morgan finished off the move with a try under the posts.
By now Oaks confidence was flying and they were prepared to attack from anywhere on the pitch. Replacement full back Martyn caught a long clearance kick and headed into the open spaces where he drew the defence before releasing a perfectly timed pass to returning winger Campin. Despite his long lay off Campin looked as sharp as ever and a quick off load to Urquhart, now playing in the centre, saw the try of the day. Martyn then turned from supplier to receiver of a great pass from Campin and he cut a superb angle to score under the posts, with Turner adding the extras.
At 43-14 up Oaks could have been forgiven for easing off but this is a ruthless side and, encouraged by skipper Vizard, the attacks kept coming and, inevitably, another Urquhart score ensued which he converted with a confident drop kick. A win of this magnitude against a very good Darts side has set the boys up nicely for their next two tough tests against arch rivals Medway and Tunbridge Wells.
Darts then gamely put out 75% of their A team to give the inexperienced Oaks B team a tough game, which, despite the score line was a close contest. With Humbles making his debut at number 8 and Watts and Miekle forming a new locking partnership, it was likely that Oaks inexperience would give the advantage to the visitors. And so it proved with repeated charges by the big Darts forwards leading to a couple of scores.
However, the defence of flankers Link and Durrant was as heroic as it was technically outstanding and both have put themselves in the frame for A team outings. With McKay, at fly half, injured early on McKerlie and Campin appeared to share the 10 duties and with Vizard and Thompson bolstering the pack Oaks launched a series of attacks that nearly led to tries. Winger Holland was as elusive as ever and the centre partnership of Burleigh and Gray was very promising.
A solo try by Vizard brought the scores closer, but from the restart Darts pacy winger managed to run a great line for a converted score under the posts. The same boy managed to do exactly the same thing soon afterwards, but, although the game was clearly lost the home side kept battling and they will have learned a huge amount from this game. What is certain is that many of them can, and will, play for the A team.