The Ops travelled to Sevenoaks for their final game of the season, to face a Sevenoaks time that were second in the league; were probably the best hockey side they had played all year; and who had shaded an epic seven goal thriller in the reverse fixture in December. Accordingly, the Ops knew they were in for a tough game, and the opening few minutes did nothing to dispel that notion. The Ops back 5 of Daniel Andrews, Dave Brazier, Dave Whitehead, Steve Letley and Oisin Doyle in goal definitely had to be at the top of their game to soak up the early Oaks pressure, with Doyle called up to make some solid clearances, with the others all tackling and tracking the runners well. In the middle of the park, Paul Andrews, Joseph Allon and Oakley Nicholls gradually began to get into the game to release the hard-working Evan Carter and Joel Davison up front, with brother Jake Davison coming on to keep legs fresh in the bright spring sunshine. As the Ops grew more into the game, the play down the flanks was exceptional, with Andrews jr and Nicholls combining down the right to press the Oaks back, and Allon and Carter combining down the left to keep the Ops on the front foot. Josh Scooter was a bundle of energy in the centre, harassing the Oaks midfield and either drawing mistakes due to rushed passes, or winning the ball himself. Eventually, the Ops increasing pressure earned them penalty corners, and from one of these a switch routine saw Joel Davison tee up Allon with a lifted ball which Allon gleefully smashed home with his now trademark cricket shot. Just minutes later, another short corner saw Andrews sr strike well saved, but with the ball returning straight to the end of his stick, he drew the defence to then slip the ball to Jake Davison who fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, to see the Ops double their lead. The half time team talk was the now ubiquitous 'more of the same please', and the youngsters delivered in spades, with some delightful pass and move hockey seeing them carve their way through the Oaks midfield, but just unable to get any further end product despite some fine efforts. As the game wore on, the Oaks stepped up a gear to show exactly why they have done so well this year, and the game became an absoluter belter, with play going from one end to the other. Doyle in goal had probably his best game of the year, even measured against his other stand out performances, to keep the Ops in front, with the defence working so hard to repel the many Oaks attacks. Ops were dangerous on the counter, but the game finished with an excellent result for the youngsters, to put the icing on an already outstanding season that saw them finish well clear in 4th place. Skipper Letley praised everyone for their hard work, commitment and outstanding level of hockey over the season, which surely guarantees a bright future for the Optimists.