Match Report Archive
Sevenoaks vs Upminster
29 Mar 2011
Sevenoaks beat Upminster at all levels in hard fought, friendlies
Sevenoaks u13s hosted Upminster on Sunday in spring sunshine that had transformed the paddock from perennial quagmire into a hard and fast dustbowl. Sevenoaks As were on first against a powerful Upminster team and it was clear that a fast dynamic approach was necessary to keep the visitors large pack out of the game.Oaks were immediately into their stride and a sound platform at the set pieces enabled half-backs Knox and Cantlay to unleash the backline.The backs ran from depth and the resultant pace stretched Upminster to the limit.Oaks backrowers-Skinner,O'Shea and Earl supported with a voracious appetite and a wave of attacks ensued. Following a desperate clearance kick from Upminster Full-back Thresher returned with interest and linked with Skinner who fed Earl for the opening try.Oaks were quickly on the attack again and some fine off-loading and accurate passing led to well worked team tries for Kidd,Thresher and mobile 2nd row Parks.At this stage Oaks were threatening to run riot but to their credit Upminster began to gain a more equitable share of possession and worked their way into Oaks territory.Oaks stood firm for fully 5 minutes against a prolonged series of Upminster attacks but could not prevent a well deserved consolation try just before time.
Next up were Oaks Bs against their Upminster counterparts.As has been the norm for Oaks Bs they were confronted with a much larger opposition but this is a team that is learning to cope with the size discrepancy and they played with tremendous skill and technical ability and no small amount of courage.An entertaining end to end encounter saw both teams thwarted by last ditch defending and the occasional knock on.In the end it was a piece of opportunistic foraging by Oaks man of the match Seb Fear who capitalised when a wicked bounce took the ball out of the reach of the Upminster full back enabling Fear to get the touch down which separated the teams.
A third match saw Oaks prepare for their end of season tour to the Riviera (well Torquay).A mixed As and Bs had another thrilling encounter with both teams trading scores and playing superb running rugby.On this occasion Upminster took the lead only for fine interlinking between Ryan Jones and Cantlay to put Cantlay under the posts for what was to be an important conversion.Upminster then played some of their best rugby of the day and scored a superb try in the corner to take a 10-7 lead.With time running out Oaks worked the ball to Wheadon who capped off a good mornings work with a fine try to take Oaks into a 12-10 lead. Even then spirited play by Upminster nearly stole the match at the death as their powerful centre was tackled into touch just inches short by Cantlay.Lyne secured the ball from the resulting lineout and Oaks were relieved to have won all 3 matches against much respected opponents.