Match Report Archive
Oaks overcome TJs 14 - 0 in slugfest
08 Nov 2009
Sevenoaks U16s made it three wins from three at Knole Paddock last Sunday. The Oaks started with a strong run down the left touchline by Connor Cooper, quick recycling of the ball and a run down the right by William Grist that ended up just short. From the 5-metre scrum the Oaks ran the ball and fly half Ben Woodmansee drew two defenders before passing to Grist who ran in unopposed, with Tommy Fuller converting.
The second Oaks’ try came from a counter-attacking run after a Tonbridge clearance kick failed to find touch. Again it was quick ball from the contact that allowed Woodmansee to attack the Tonbridge defence and, having made a half break, he released Grist for a second try which Fuller duly converted for a 14 – 0 lead within ten minutes.
Any thoughts of a runaway victory were quickly dispelled as Tonbridge took up residence in the Oaks’ 22 for the remainder of the half. In what became an attritional stalemate, Tonbridge attacked relentlessly through penalties and 5-metre scrums sending their big forwards crashing into a resolute Oaks defence. By half time, the Oaks had spent 25 minutes defending their line but had refused to yield.
The second half continued where the first had left off. It was again a case that Tonbridge persisted with the limited tactic of sending big forwards barrelling into an unbending Sevenoaks defence and the Oaks were unable to relieve the pressure and escape from their own half. In a scoreless second half, the Oaks only once briefly took play into the Tonbridge half before the referee, to the relief of all concerned, brought the game to an end.