The Sevenoaks Academy U16 A team made the one hour trek down to Canterbury, starting in dense fog, but emerging into a glorious sunny autumn day to take on their third match in the Kent League.
Playing on a 4G pitch suited the Oaks team, who like to recycle the ball quickly and play the game at a high pace. After a few minutes of Canterbury possession, the oaks got off to a good start with prop Colby Bedford-Eatwell barrelling over for their first try. After a few more minutes camped in the Canterbury 22, Oaks centre Joel Walter cut a great line through the Canterbury defence to go over for the team’s second try. The Canterbury restart was gathered by Oaks scrum half Zach Loder who quickly distributed the ball to wing Tom Hyde. Hyde blazed down the wing, drawing a man and tipped the ball to number 8, George Booth. Booth then ran half the length of the pitch leaving the Canterbury defence dazed and confused as he went under the posts. However, Canterbury did not give up and kept themselves in the match with a good score near the posts, which was duly converted. Loder then secured the bonus point for Oaks by darting round a ruck for Oaks fourth try. After receiving the ball out the back from Oaks 10 Will Brook, Walter then stepped a few lazy defenders to go over for his second just before half time. Brook converted three of the first half tries, narrowly missing the others, making the half time score 7-31 to Sevenoaks.
The Oaks forwards stepped up the intensity in the second half with multiple phases of hard lines. Second row Harry Clayson opened the scoring in the second half with a strong run over the try line. Canterbury were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and decided to take the three points. Brennan O’Keefe broke through a couple of tackles shortly after the restart to run most of the pitch for the Mighty Oaks seventh try. Canterbury still fought hard and almost followed up with an end to end try, but the kick ahead didn’t quite go to the Canterbury player’s hands. Oak’s Prop, Taylor Nash then strode over for Oaks’ eight try. Then it was O’Keefe’s turn again to turn on the gas and outpace Canterbury’s flagging players. With a few minutes left on the clock the Oaks set up a ruck just inside the Oaks half. Loder passed to Nash on the crash ball. Breaking through a weak tackle, Nash ran the rest of the pitch unchallenged to secure Oaks 10th try. Brook slotted three of the second half conversions to make the final score 10-62. Another fantastic win for the U16s in their Kent League campaign.
Squad list: Taylor Nash, Dylan Tootill, Colby Bedford-Eatwell, Harry Clayson, Noah Bruce, Gerran Prescott, Harry Bouverie, George Booth, Zac Loder, Will Brook, Louie Ashenden, Joel Walter, Brennan O'Keefe, Arthuro Stephan, Will Taylor
Subs : Jake Borawiak, John Hollman, Tom Hyde