With three wins in a row, Adam Bowman’s 1st XV side now sit joint sixth with CS Rugby in London South 1 and a point behind fifth placed Cobham. Bowman, his coaching staff and players could feel pretty happy with themselves then? Slaps on the back all round? If one thing is for sure, Bowman and his team are having none of it with the Head Coach saying ‘The squad have acquitted themselves really well so far, but we have a real hunger now to finish the season strongly. This season has seen us change a considerable amount in the Senior set-up and we’ve learnt a huge amount. It’s been really exciting so far – we are in a league that is constantly changing with every side having the ability to beat one another, particularly from positions two down to tenth. We have a really tough run-in, but we are fully focused on ensuring that we end the season well’
Looking to kick on! Oaks Ben Adams will be hoping to have a good day with the boot this weekend. Photo Credit: David Purday
With the 1st XV not having a fixture this weekend, it’s the turn of the 2nd XV to take to the Paddock in a re-arranged fixture against top of the table Sidcup 2nd XV. The men from Sidney Road sit not only as number 1 in the Kent Invicta league, but also in London 1 South and Bowman clearly admires the model that Sidcup have developed over the past few seasons.
He continues ‘We have really focused on building the strength in depth across the squad this year with a large number of players interchanging between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XVs and I think that has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the season from a coaching perspective. We are determined not to have a ‘closed shop’ approach with regards to our 1st XV and this has bred competition within the squad. I’m really excited to see the boys play on Saturday – Sidcup RFC will be a huge test and are a good example of the strength in depth you require to compete in the top echelons of London 1 South. It’s not something that can happen overnight and you can see from Sidcup RFC that they have built well over the past few seasons in London 1 South – finishing fourth for four seasons and seventh the year before that with a number of home grown players which is the model that we are trying to emulate as well.’
With the Acorns also taking on Sidcup at home also on Saturday in the next round, Bowman is hoping for a bumper crowd down at the Paddock to get behind both teams as they try to topple Sidcup. ‘We’ve had brilliant support all season and I’m really keen that as many people come down on Saturday to cheer on the boys. It’s a big game for the 2nd XV and the Acorns. With all sides have good strength in depth I have no doubt that the quality of rugby will be high and a good spectacle for all to see.’
Fixtures on Saturday 25th February 2017
Sevenoaks 2nd XV v. Sidcup 2nd XV (League) KO @ 2.30pm
Sevenoaks Acorns v. Sidcup Vets (Cup) KO @ 1.00pm