Match Reports
Sevenoaks U17s 7, Wescombe Park 5
23 Nov 2009
Sevenoaks hold on in the hail
Another scrappy performance earns Oaks 3 more points.
Not even the hail, wind and rain could prevent Sevenoaks U17’s taking to the field in front of a committed crowd on Sunday, as they ended the day victorious over Westcombe Park 7-5, Ollie Shirtcliff reports.
The game began well as Oaks played with the wind, with early pressure resulting in un-necessary ‘argy-bargy’ between both packs, yet Oaks failed to break the defensive line and when they did, handling errors or overly ambitious touch kicks stopped almost definite 5-pointers. This almost cost Oaks dearly with Westcombe Park coming close several times during the half. Saying this, it was good to see the intent to attack was there.
Eventually, Oaks’s drift defence was beaten, with the shortest player on the pitch scuttling over in the corner, proving that rugby still appeals to those of all shapes and sizes.
However, this seemed to bring Oaks to their senses and shortly after conceding, Oaks brought it back through, yes, some would say a fairly freak try, after a chip through from Saunders, Nohre gathered after the ball had hit the post protector, yet a brilliant try all the same.
Following these 7 points, Oaks threatened again through Beale after a break through the centre yet he was caught inches from the line, a shame for a player usually unstoppable near the posts.
As the second half commenced, nature played its part in making it impossible for Oaks to clear, with several kicks not even close to the touchline. However, the defensive line stood strong, and Oaks managed to keep Westcombe Park at bay more than once, a pleasant sight to coach Bowman and Reay. This pressure mounted throughout the course of the half, yet the amount of commitment Oaks showed was incredible, possibly never seen before on the Paddock.
With the end of the match looming, Westcombe Park had the chance to take the lead but missed, hitting the posts and being agonisingly close to winning and cementing their place in the group. However, with the chance missed, Oaks moved on, and produced, to date, the best drive of the season, finishing off a chance of a comeback. A truly great effort from all the boys, next week, another must win game against Gravesend away, not for the faint hearted. Man of the match, prop Jack Walker after a truly inspiring game in the scrum and loose and a welcome return to skipper Alex Medhurst who led the team who lead from the front.