Match Reports
Development XV 57 Deal & Betteshanger IIs 12
25 Sep 2011
The sun shone in more ways than one as Oaks Development XV, fresh from their triumph at the Edenbridge Festival, took the field at Knowle Paddock for their first league outing of the season against Deal and Bettshanger II. Oaks boasted a youthful XV bristling with vim, vigour and pace. The question of the day was whether they could cope with the substantial physical challenge that Deal provided. The home fans need not have turned a hair as Oaks burst into life from the first whistle causing their opponents no end of problems. An early brace from Captain Reay settled the nerves and a splendid move leading to the first of flying Fred Roberts double meant that Oaks stormed into a 19-0 lead midway through the first half.
However, just when all was going so well, Oaks over elaborated in their own 22 and invited a period of sustained pressure from the visitors. Like a puppy who has gone a step too far they had their noses well and truly smacked. Despite a stout goal line stand led by Academy captain Medhurst, Vizard and Hutcheson, Oaks, always under the pump at scrum time, finally conceded to an eminently predictable pick and drive by the Deal No 8. The half time whistle arrived with Oaks leading 19-5.
Stern words at the half time break from the home coaching team saw Oaks resume the second half at a significantly increased tempo eschewing any attempt by the visitors to slow the game. With Fuller Jnr and Saunders pulling the strings, Oaks used every blade of the Paddock to pull Deal this way and that. The tries began to flow with Medhurst, Thomas, Brown, Worrall and the niggling Bennett who had come on for the energetic Burden, working tirelessly at the breakdown. Oaks ran in excellent scores from Roberts, the bustling Pearson, the hard working Worrall and the ever smooth Saunders. As the match wore on the young tyros took a stranglehold on the match with the ever willing and defiant Sparks leading the way as the experienced Deal XV ran out of both breath and ideas.
At the final whistle Oaks could reflect with some satisfaction at a solid 57-12 victory. Mentions should also go to good senior rugby debuts for Ollie Crouch and the hard hitting Gill, whilst the 15 minute cameo from the guileful Fuller Snr was one for the connoisseur. Oaks will face sterner tests as the season progresses but this was a first rate start to a season full of promise if this group can be kept together.