Match Reports

ACADEMY UPDATE !

03 May 2010

Everything in the Gardens rosy, as Oaks put ONs in the shade! The last balloon has been popped, the last pint sunk , the last song sung and the first aspirins have been taken as this season of seasons finally drew to a triumphant close yesterday. After two years, twelve matches (including  the qualifiers) ,Sevenoaks U17s finally took their place in the Sevenoaks RFC Hall of  Fame as they became the first side from the club to secure a National title.     A confident Old Northamptonians XV were despatched 38-10 at Franklins Gardens to secure Oaks fourth piece of silverware this term. Despite enduring a three hour coach trip, on a bus with all the pulling power of an asthmatic pit pony, who had lost his inhaler, after a double shift down the mines, Oaks looked suitably focused in the pre match warm up and some of the coaches psycho babble may even have permeated the usually dense craniums of even the forwards.  Oaks, playing into a strong wind, suffered two early setbacks. First, ONs, after a period of pressure, scored with a well worked try that they failed to convert. Second, back row talisman and Duracell bunny impersonator, Will De Smith was taken from the field with a nasty knee injury (let us know how it is Jiggy). However, Oaks are made of stern stuff these days and these twin hiccups were treated as minor flesh wounds rather than fatal blows and they marched down the pitch to score a both a penalty and converted Foley try in short order to take a lead that they never relinquished.  With the elements against Oaks, ONs continued to press. However, there best efforts foundered on the twin tackling monsters that are Messrs Beale and Short. Their centres spent more time in the air than British Airways, as the Oaks duo drove them back time and again in the tackle. On the odd occasion they tried to bypass the midfield, they were greeted by the silent assassin that is Master Norhe. After one such mugging  by the enigmatic winger, the ball was swiftly transferred down the line and a score was created  for Captain Medhurst close to the sticks and with Saunders adding the extras, Oaks held a healthy 17-5 halftime lead. In the second half Oaks, now playing with the wind, continued to rack up the points. Through some good play and capitalising on ONs errors, Oaks scored a further three tries, including efforts from Beale,Walker and Pettet. By the end of the match the Oaks eight, despite a below par lineout performance, led by Thompson, Petit and Naismith Minor along with the youngest of the Hunt clan had ground the opposition pack to a standstill. At the final whistle the score stood at 38-10 to the lads from Knole Paddock, and the celebrations could begin. A few apologies to end on. Firstly to Adam King who sadly missed the match due to a nasty eye injury sustained applying mascara at the Kent 7s. Secondly, to the squad who played in the Kent 7s and won the plate at Charlton Park, for there not being an Academy update on that event. Sadly Mark, an aspiring school teacher, isn’t very good with words, or writing in general for that matter and he is Scottish, so no match report I am afraid. Thirdly, to anybody shopping at the Waitrose store at South Mimms services, where we stopped on the return journey yesterday evening. Lastly to Mike ‘tidy’ Owen our choirmaster yesterday on the return trip, for  us all failing to understand the concept of two part harmony, whilst attempting to annihilate the Beach Boys classic ‘Sloop John B’.  We are now all off to dig out our buckets and spades, for a well earned summer break, and plan next seasons adventures including our Portuguese escapade. There will be another update in the coming few days outlining our pre season schedule. One final note from all of us to all the parents, sponsors , the club and especially Andy and Bob (and his hat) without whom, none of the above would have been possible. 

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