Sevenoaks RFC Senior Squad kick off their pre-season campaign this Saturday as they travel to Goddington Lane to take on London and South East Premier side Westcombe Park RFC. Having finished fourth in the league above Oaks last season, ‘Combe’ will pose a stern test for Adam Bowman’s men and give the Oaks Head Coach the opportunity to see how his squad reacts in the heat of battle.
Head Coach Adam Bowman is looking forward to seeing how his squad is shaping up. Photo Credit: David Purday
‘Pre-season has gone well so far and we are really looking forward to this Saturday. No matter how much fitness preparation you do, a match environment is always much more testing both physically and mentally. The game will be played in four, twenty-five minute blocks which will enable both sides to try different combinations and allow us to see some of the new faces that have been added to the Squad this season too.’
Saturday will mark six weeks since Oaks started their pre-season training, with Bowman and his coaching team operating three sessions a week and the Head Coach is comfortable with the progress that has been made, but sees the next three weeks in the lead up to the season as vital. ‘We’ve got a really good base and the boys have worked incredibly hard. I know some supporters might think that 12th August is incredibly early for a pre-season fixture, but that is the nature of the game these days. Players need to be physically prepared and with the expertise of our S&C and Medical teams, we have worked hard to tailor a programme that will ensure the players are in the best shape possible when the league kicks off on 2nd September. Saturday is a big part of that – it will enable us to measure ourselves and put the players under stress that they haven’t yet experienced, as well as taking the next step in readying ourselves physically – no doubt there will be some sore bodies on Saturday evening!’
Former Oaks Head Coach Danny Vaughan is now Head Coach at Westcombe Park RFC. Photo Credit: Lee Adamson
Saturday will also allow the Oaks faithful the opportunity to say hello again to former Head Coach Danny Vaughan, who was appointed as Combe’s Head Coach during the summer. Danny, who guided Oaks to promotion to London 1 South two season ago, assumes the Head Coach role at Combe and is joined by Kent RDO Gareth Jackson, who oversees the backs.
Bowman said ‘It’s always great to see Danny and I know all of our players and supporters enjoy catching up with him. I said before we played Dover last season (where Danny was Head Coach), that I have only the highest respect for Danny and I am sure Combe will do very well this season under his stewardship.’
Sevenoaks Senior Squad take on Westcombe Park RFC at Goddington Lane this Saturday (12th August) with Kick Off at 1500hrs. The Squad will then travel to Guildford RFC on Saturday 19th August before the 1st XV play their first league game in London South 1 on Saturday 2nd September away at Chichester RFC.