Match Report Archive
Oaks dry up Wells
05 Apr 2009
Sevenoaks retain their title as Kent Plate champions.
Sevenoaks’ under 15s were in their second successive Plate Final, this year in a local derby with Tunbridge Wells. Easter holidays and injuries again reduced the availability of players but not the Oaks ambition to add more silverware. On a firm pitch and in perfect sunny conditions, Wells scored first through a penalty. In the early exchanges, Wells benefited from several penalties to spend an extended period in the Oaks’ half but could not turn territory and possession into points. The Oaks always looked dangerous on the counter-attack and a trademark outside break and long run down the touchline from Will Grist was only halted a few metres from the Wells try line.
Using the width of the pitch, the Oaks spread the play wide through several pairs of hands to create the space for Rob Walker to open the Oaks’ account with a try. In the standout passage of play in the first half, the Oaks kicked ahead and Wells’ iconic Lorenzo ‘Lennie’ Gacuma gathered the ball and looked to counter-attack from his own 22. A huge flying tackle from Rob Walker stopped him in his tracks and from the ensuing ruck the Oaks won a penalty which Tommy Fuller kicked to make the score 8 – 3. Wells responded quickly with a try of their own after stripping the ball in contact and moving the turnover possession wide for a score in the corner, which tied the scores at half time.
Oaks’ changed the front row line-up at half time and the combination of Alex Bowles, James Greiff and Josh Marchant gave the pack a noticeable advantage at the scrum, winning balls against the head and providing good first phase possession. The backs turned quality ball into points by releasing Will Grist for a try under the posts, converted by Fuller. With no let up in the intensity of this see-saw match, Wells wiped out the seven-point lead with a try and conversion of their own after some strong running from their backs breached the Oaks midfield defence.
In the final part of the match and with the scores tied, the Oaks launched another attack that resulted in a penalty. Dissent from the penalised Wells player moved the penalty 10 metres further forward and into kicking range. Fuller’s attempt fell just short but a Wells player failed to catch the ball cleanly and in knocking-on gave the Oaks a great attacking opportunity five metres from the Wells line. A No 8 pick and drive was halted short of the line and with penalty advantage to the Oaks, they drove forward again allowing Alex Bowles to dive over from close range for Oaks third try. Fuller converted to give the Oaks a seven-point lead. Tunbridge Wells pressed hard for another score but Sevenoaks held firm to retain their title as Kent Plate champions.