If you had bumped into Head Coach Adam Bowman, or indeed any of the 1st XV players and staff on Sunday morning around Sevenoaks, then you might have not got the normal customary ‘hello’ from any of them. A combination of poor execution, injuries and a home side ‘on song’ meant that Oaks tasted defeat for the third time this season, leaving the group frustrated at their performance and thinking about how best they could get back on the horse.
Home from Home. The Clubhouse will be in full swing this weekend with the Past Players Lunch attracting a large crowd. Photo Credit: Nikki Scott-Skinner
Bowman was characteristically honest with his assessment saying ‘The result had very little to do with the injuries. Our lack of discipline and poor execution lead to the majority of their points, so I’m not going to sugar coat it and comfort ourselves with a ‘if the injuries hadn’t happened’ mentality. Our accuracy in both attack and defence was poor – we just weren’t at the races. The week off has come at a good time for us, allowing us to rest some bodies and hopefully get some players off the physio table and back onto the training paddock. That defeat really hurt us – it didn’t hit the standards we expect and myself and the coaching staff will certainly be looking for a reaction this week and on Saturday.’
If Bowman was looking for a something to sooth the wound inflicted by Havant, then the 3rd and 4th XV’s victories over Maidstone RFC 2nd XV and Vigo RFC 3rd XV respectively helped hugely. ‘That was really great to watch’ said Bowman, who watched with delight on the side line at the Paddock on Saturday. ‘The 3rd XV were up against a really strong Maidstone side and there were a number of players that impressed and the 4s had another good win against Vigo. I’ve been thrilled with how the 2s, 3s and 4s have been performing. They’ll be players in all those squads that will be moving up this week and that, as coaching staff is one of our main objectives – to ensure players improve and transition to the highest level of rugby they wish to play.’
Oh When The Oaks! Head Coach Adam Bowman has called for as much support as possible this weekend at the Paddock. Photo Credit: David Purday
Life doesn’t get any easier for Bowman and his 1st XV though, as they welcome in form and second placed CS Rugby 1863 to the Paddock on a day that will also see many past players attend the pre-match lunch. In the fixtures between the two sides last year, Oaks pushed CS Rugby 1863 all the way at Chiswick, whilst a try fest at the Paddock saw the men in white and blue win 41 points to Oaks 32. ‘I sound like a broken record, but it’s going to be another tough, physical encounter. CS Rugby are a quality outfit and have some very talented players in their ranks. But we are a proud team at home and have saved our best performances for the Paddock. We want as many supporters as possible there on Saturday to get behind the guys and cheer them on. The players and squad thrive off that energy. As a coaching group, we’ve challenged the boys to work really hard for the 80 minutes – when we have a vocal Paddock behind us, it helps hugely and gives us that extra yard. There’s an added incentive for the boys with it being the Past Players lunch. Its a privilege it is to wear an Oaks 1st XV shirt and there is no better reminder of that than the 70 odd former players watching from the side line. We can’t wait to get out there and take on the challenge of CS.’
Sevenoaks RFC Senior Fixtures | Saturday 21st October 2017
1500hrs Sevenoaks RFC 1st XV v. CS Rugby 1863
1500hrs Sevenoaks RFC 2nd XV v. Old Colfieans RFC 2nd XV
1500hrs Medway RFC 3rd XV v. Sevenoaks RFC 3rd XV
1500hrs Gravesend RFC 4th XV v. Sevenoaks RFC 4th XV (Gents)