Reports 13

Rusty Oaks grind out tough win

26 Jan 2009

Sevenoaks under 13's looked like a team that hadn't played together for over a month in a hard fought and well deserved victory over a physically tough Blackheath side at Kidbroke.

 

Playing into a very strong wind in the first half Oaks played sensible rugby by using a pick and drive strategy well executed by their powerful forwards. Despite the size of the home side's forwards Oaks front row took three against the head and Wheadon was totally dominant in the lineout. From a series of attacks, when it seemed that each of the 8 carried aggressively, hooker Small crashed over for the opening score which was converted by McKerlie.

 

Blackheath were big and powerful but Oaks backs shackled them well with centres Fear and Osbourn putting in some thumping tackles to keep them behind the gain line. It was in attack, however, that Oaks looked sluggish and a raft of uncharacteristic mistakes and tactical errors were made at crucial moments. Despite this the back 3 of Parker, Urquhart and Martyn looked dangerous and Blackheath were hanging on when the half time whistle went.

 

However, with the wind now behind them Oaks became complacent and after conceding 4 needless penalties (although at least 50% were harsh) they found themselves desperately defending their own line and after repelling several big forward charges the line cracked and Blackheath scored, only to miss an easy conversion.

 

This, and some home truths from skipper Vizard, galvanised the visitors and there was then only one team in it. Fly half Poland cleverly feigned to kick a penalty to touch before changing direction and moving the ball blind, only for the final execution to go awry with the line begging for flanker Jeffries.

 

As their confidence increased Oaks started to combine backs and forwards and a superb move to the left put powerful fullback Urquhart into space. Although he had been well marshalled by the home side, with each tackle being out in by two defenders, this time he was away and after a sidestep, shoulder dip and hand off he was over I the corner.

 

With the score at 12-7 Oaks made several changes but this only served to increase the pace of their play and after a fine swerving run by Parker was stopped juts short of the line open side flanker Sinclair was first to the breakdown and thundered over with tow Blackheath backs hanging off his back. From a very difficult angle and distance Poland came very close with the conversion, but the final whistle blew soon afterwards and Oaks reflected on a workmanlike performance.

 

With 6 reserves on the A team bench, the fact that the B squad had 18 players reflects the depth of the under 13 squad and the B team started first in a 3 way mini tournament against the hosts and Whitstable A team.

 

Although they were immediately under a lot of pressure (Blackheath played most of their A squad reserves in the B game) Oaks defence was outstanding with flankers Durrant and the ever improving Link, putting in heroic performances. With the match deadlocked and seemingly heading for a scoreless draw, an outstanding length of the field break by debutant centre Holland, saw him crash over for a converted try and deserved 7-0 victory. In the second game against Whitstable Oaks came up against a very big Whitstable side who had one outstanding runner and he ran past, what seemed to be every Oaks defender, to score in the corner.

 

However Oaks played all of the rugby and the backs, well served by half backs Hewitt and Harber, ran aggressively and skilfully, but Whitstable's defence held firm. From a last play 5m scrum, the opposition 8 crashed over for an unconverted try and the game was lost 10-0, but with new players and debutants Jepson and Holland looking very impressive, the boys have a lot to build on.

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