Sevenoaks enjoys victorious opening weekend
As part of their pre-season preparations, Oaks traveled to Grasshoppers RFC in London to take part in a tournament containing nine other teams. The format would see the men from Knole Paddock play 24 minute games against sides that were of similar league status.
The conditions were bright for the first match against Reading Abbey and Oaks got quickly into their stride with some devastating counter attack play, with Sean Derrick to the fore. Indeed it was no.8 Derrick who scored the try of the game, picking up the ball in his own half from a kick-off before slicing through defenders before stepping the full back and sprinting in from 40 yards. It was a good start with no tries conceded and five scored, with Adams adding the extras on three occasions.
The second game saw Oaks take on late replacements to the tournament in the form of Ashford. Oaks had won twice handsomely when the sides met in the league last season, but took time to get into their stride, until the deadlock was broken by Winter. Ashford defended well and Oaks were making small frustrating errors. It was Derrick again who forced his way over and Oaks rounded off proceedings with two more scores before the final whistle, with new man Edwards getting his name on the scoreboard after some solid work from the forwards.
Oaks warm up ahead of the first game
Oaks then faced their stiffest test so far in High Wycombe. After Adams dotted down in the corner, he was to get six throughout the tournament, Oaks were to concede their first points of the day and went behind after High Wycombe converted a penalty.
The structure that new coach Adam Bowman is putting into place then started to come into play and rather than panicking, the men in blue and gold started to play with the accuracy and ruthlessness that had eluded them in the first half. New man Dan Phoenix, who had an outstanding day, cut a beautiful line off skipper Stu Coleman to send Oaks into the lead and with Adams converting, victory was assured.
The final league match would determine who would go into the Final to play the winners of the other side of the draw. The hosts were the opposition and it was another new man, Shadyn Osgood who stamped his authority on the game from centre. After putting two big hits in midfield, Osgood also showed his attacking prowess and sprinted in from fifty metres out for the try of the match. Oaks were starting to hit their straps, and despite conceding one score, they were now playing with a confidence and cruised into the Final with three more tries.
The Final saw Oaks drawn against Sutton and Epsom, who were promoted from London 1 South to National 3 South at the end of last season. Oaks were out of the blocks quickly and played hard, physical and direct rugby, with half-backs Goodhew and Winter conducting play well. It was Osgood who broke the deadlock, after Oaks had swung the ball from side to side, some good hands in the centre of the field saw the big centre head over in the corner. Adams converted with an excellent touchline conversion.
Two minutes later and Oaks were at it again, this time with Jonny Briggs finishing off some fine hands in the backs after good work up from John Henley. Oaks were buzzing.
What will please the coaching staff is the relentless attitude shown by the team in the Final and this was epitomised with the next score. Almost immediately off the kick-off, Oaks secured ball in midfield, Winter and Phoenix combined to swing the ball to the right wing where Adams was standing. Taking the ball at pace, the young winger, who has clearly worked hard in the off-season, chipped ahead and won the footrace the the bouncing ball and sprint in under the sticks. His conversion would be the final score of the day, as Oaks showed aggressive defence and composure in a strong wind to see out the game 21-0.
In summary, it was a very good performance against strong opposition and showed that the hard work that Oaks have been putting in over pre-season is bearing dividends.
After the Final, Head Coach Adam Bowman commented 'It's been an excellent day and I'm really pleased with how we have performed. We have steadily improved and the level of rugby in the Final was where we want to be. It's always tough at tournaments because of the break in between games, but it was so well run here we weren't waiting around at all. This was a real squad effort with each and every man making telling contributions.'
'As I said after last week's match against Medway, there's lots to work on still. Our accuracy in the first couple of matches wasn't really there, but overall I'm really pleased. We have a week's break now and that will give us good time to work on a number of areas within our game. A big thank you to the tournament organisers at Grasshoppers for their work and also to the supporters who battled through the M25 to give us support.'
Squad: J.Walker, D.Power, B.Martyr, S.Sedgewick, J.Simmons, M.Simmons, J.Henley, S.Coleman (C), M.Dodd, W.De-Smith, S.Derrick, S.McCorry, A.Suttill, S.Goodhew, I.Winter, O.Shirtcliff, D.Phoenix, S.Osgood, S.Tree, A.Edwards, B.Adams, J.Short, J.Briggs
Oaks take a break now before their first games of the season on September 3rd, with the 1st XV taking on Gosport and Fareham at home and the 2s away at Tunbridge Wells.
Captain Stuart Coleman with the Grasshoppers Pre-Season Tournament winners trophy
The Sevenoaks Senior Squad enjoyed their first pre-season test away at Medway, with a number of new and returning faces making key contributions.
Playing in four twenty minute blocks, the game gave the coaching department an opportunity to try new combinations and put into practice some of the hard work from the previous six weeks of training.
It was the hosts that started brightly with a large share of the possession, but each and every time they were met by aggressive and clinical Oaks defence, led by the back row of Henley, Sinclair and De Smith. Not to be outdone by his former Skinners school mate De Smith, the returning no. 9 Goodhew made a number of crucial turnovers that allowed Oaks to relieve pressure.
Indeed it was the visitors who were to break the deadlock and after Shirtcliff had moved the play down field with a couple of telling kicks, Oaks worked their way to an attacking platform in the 22. With clinical back play, moving through a number of hands, it was the speedster Weston who dashed over to give Oaks the lead.
After a number of heavy midfield tussles, just before the twenty minute break, after a number of minutes knocking at the defensive door, Medway managed to create an overlap, working a three on two which they clinically finished.
Oaks started the second quarter brightly, and after more good hands in the backs, particularly from wing Karg, Shirtcliff showed a clean pair of heals to round his man and go over. However, the referee deemed that the grounding was not clean, and Medway were awarded a 5 metre scrum to relieve pressure. Encouraging signs saw the axis of Suttill and Shirtcliff working well, whilst Rugg and Edwards were looking a dangerous attacking threat.
Oaks once again showed resolute defence and went ahead again after a good drive at the lineout which saw hooker Sedgewick dab the ball over the line. It was just reward for the man who, along with Matt Dodd, was a consistent thorn in the oppositions side all day.
Disappointingly though, Oaks switched off in the final five minutes of the first half, and Medway barrelled their way over to bring the score level once more.
The third quarter saw the home side take control and show the young Oaks what intensity is needed at London 1 level, scoring three well taken tries, including a penalty try.
The final quarter saw Oaks come back into the game and create their best spell of the occasion. After bursts up the field which included some good offloading between De Smith, Short and Goodhew, the Oaks gained an attacking scrum ten metres out. After holding a strong Medway scrum well, Oaks backs showed some sumptuous skill in the backs, as Tree and Shirtcliff worked an opening for Jamie Owen, who cruised in under the posts for the score of the game.
Following on from the match, Head Coach Adam Bowman commented 'Today gave us an opportunity to try new combinations and see where we are in our development. I was really pleased with lots of aspects, against a strong Medway side. However, we are always striving to improve and we have lots to work on in training over the next few weeks.'
'I want to thank Taff Gwilliam and his team for today. Talking after the game, we both agreed it was exactly what both sides needed - a good hard game of rugby with both sides wanting to play some attacking play. We now move onto the Grasshoppers next week, which will pose another challenge for the squad'.
Oaks head to the Grasshoppers tournament next week, which will pose the last test ahead of the first league games of the season, when the 1st play Gosport and Fareham at home, and the 2nd take on Tunbridge Wells away.
Squad: D.Power, S.Sedgewick, T. Simmons, J.Simmons, A. Rolfe, O. Boatwright-Smith, S. Coleman (C), M. Dodd, R. Philpot, D. Sinclair, W. De-Smith, J. Henley, S. Goodhew, A. Suttill, O. Shirtcliff, I. Winter, H.Rugg, A.Edwards, S.Tree, J. Short, C.Karg, M. Weston, O.Dinsmore, J. Owen
Sevenoaks 37 London Cornish 31
Last Saturday saw Oaks welcome London Cornish to Knole Paddock for their eagerly anticipated promotion play off fixture, the prize at stake, London 1 rugby next season. Both sides have had tremendous seasons but their year would be defined for all 38 players, coaches, managers, physios and fans by 80 minutes of almost unbearable tension that would end in joy for the victor and despair for the vanquished.
In the opening stanza, Oaks embraced the pressure of the day, played high tempo expansive rugby and opened up a substantial early lead that had the home faithful believing that it was not a question of who would win but by how many. Outside half Winter, back for the first time in a month and still only half fit (If he was a horse they would have shot him) opened up holes almost at will with his canny distribution skills. Scores from Coleman, Anderson and a brace for Academy starlet Adams, who turned from a sapling to a fully fledged Oak before everybody’s disbelieving eyes. Due to Winters uncooperative knee, Adams also had to take over the kicking duties. The fact that he kicked five from seven on the day proved this Oak has got some sizeable Acorns too. As the whistle blew for half time Oaks lead had stretched out to an impressive 29-9. Job done………..or was it?
Over the sucking of the proverbial half time orange, London Cornish, who had only three penalties and a dysfunctional lineout to show for their efforts, decided to put their underpants on outside their shorts and come out in the second half and play like Supermen. Early pressure in the Oaks twenty two led to a string of penalties and the inevitable yellow card and ten minutes on the naughty step for centre Vaihu. In the next twelve or so minutes Cornish ran in three tries, the last of which was a fine solo effort.
Oaks brains were now well and truly scrambled, sphincters tightened at an alarming rate in the crowd, the stroll in the park had turned into the rugby equivalent of climbing Everest, in flip flops whilst carrying a fridge. Game very much on. Oaks emptied their bench of a tenacious pair of young Simmons, a Dodd and a May. Panic not quite over but the patient was definitely coming round.
Oaks regained the initiative through the rather large and capable hands of Anderson who was in all probability the best in show on the day. His score in the corner edged Oaks out to a 34-28 lead. The defining moment of the day came shortly after as winger Adams, who wouldn’t cut an imposing figure in the U10’s, strode forward and notched a penalty to take the lead to over one score. There was a large and universal exhaling of breath as the ball sailed over the black dot.
Much to your correspondent’s consternation and totally unlike the script I had in mind, Cornish came back YET AGAIN. Awarded a penalty in the final minute, just inside their own half, the Cornish skipper eschewed the kick to touch and summoned his kicker to go for the posts. With his size 10’s loaded with Semtex, he boomed the ball into orbit and over the uprights. 37-31.
With time just enough for the restart, a small town in West Kent collectively held its breath as the final few phases played out. The final knock on brought a final whilst and delirium to all those of a blue and gold persuasion. A great game, played by two excellent teams in exactly the right spirit.
In the any game there can only be one winner, which is why we keep score and today Captain Robinson, who had the calmest head in the house and his men held sway with a deserved win. London Cornish will undoubtedly dust themselves off, keep the Y Fronts outside the shorts and come hard again next year. Good luck to them.
Old Colfeians 18 Sevenoaks 23
Last Saturday saw Oaks travel to South East London for their last away fixture of the season. With Oaks needing four points to secure home advantage in the promotion play off match on April 30th the management took the brave decision to rest several starters and give niggling injuries time to heal.
With the Colfe’s 1st XV pitch already undergoing drainage work in preparation for next season, the match was moved to their training pitch, which is roughly the size of a generous vegetable patch, unless you are growing cauliflowers, in which case it is officially too small. This ensured the depleted Oaks squad were in for a tough, tense afternoon as there was so little space to move the ball and play running rugby.
Predictably the afternoon was to prove to be one for either the committed supporter or the connoisseur. With thirty large human beings crammed into space more suited to a game of ‘Sardines’ it should come as no surprise that both well drilled defences ruled the roost for most of the day. The major beneficiaries were the kickers who gently lob the ball over the black dot from the half way line. The only two tries on the day came from Oaks winger Dodd, the first from a well taken line that split the home defence asunder, the second through sheer cussedness as he barrelled over from close quarters.
Oaks lead 13-9 at the break but managed to get on the wrong side of the official in the second half and briefly trailed with only a few minutes left on the clock as the excellent OC’s kicker made hay. Enter Dodd who rounded off some excellent work from lock Anderson, undoubtedly Oaks man of the day. Adams converted expertly from the touchline and the points were heading back to Knole Paddock.
Coach Vaughan commented ‘It was a poor game, played in poor conditions, but at this stage of the season we will happily take the four points however they come. A number of young lads stood up to the task today against a well drilled and physical OC’s team who you know will always give you a tough game. We now move on to Darfordians at home next Saturday before the final test against London Cornish on the 30th’.
Squad
Naismith
Vizard
Power
Anderson
Coleman
Baldock
Robinson
Sedgwick
Streather
Saunders
Beale C
Vaihu
Tree
Dodd
Adams
Simmons T
Mckerlie
Aspinall
Sevenoaks 20 Tunbridge Wells 40
Oaks welcomed league champions elect, TWRFC to the Paddock last Saturday for their latest encounter in London SE2. The earlier fixture this season at St Marks was a tense edgy affair that could have gone either way, however, Wells were strong favourites to pick up the win in the return fixture.
With eyes firmly fixed on their promotion play off on April 30th, Oaks Coach Vaughan rang the changes and named six players aged 20 or under in the squad. Oaks needed to keep the contest tight for as long as possible in the hope of taking something from the game and as the sides turned round with Wells leading by 12-6, the home faithful still had hope of taking points from the game. However, a strong second half from the visitors saw them hit full stride and stretch away for a comfortable 40-20 win, scoring several long range tries. Oaks' only consolation on the day came in the form of tries from Vaihu and a particularly popular score by the tireless flanker Sedgwick.
After the match Coach Vaughan commented ‘Wells are an excellent side and worthy league champions. They have strengthened their squad well as the season has progressed. For us, the game today was a bit of a distraction as we are really focussed on the three game ‘mini season’ we have between now and the end of April. Whilst we are definitely in the play game on the 30th we need a couple more wins to secure home field advantage against in all probability London Cornish. A lot of the younger guys will have learnt much from the experience today and this will stand us in good stead for the coming weeks. Hopefully, with a couple of weeks rest, we can get a few players back for the Colfes game on the 16th April and start to build up some momentum towards that all important promotion fixture.’
Team
1 Naismith
2 Vizard
3 Power
4 Thorpe
5 Anderson
6 Naismith T
7 Sedgwick
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Barry
12 Vaihu
13 Tree
14 Adams
15 Bates
16 McKerlie
17 Aspinall
18 Baldock
Sevenoaks play Tunbridge Wells in the Cup on Saturday 26 March. Come down to the Paddock to give the lads a shout. 2.30pm KO...
Old Alleynians 14 Sevenoaks 32
Oaks travelled into South London on Saturday to take on an Old Alleynians side who have found life tough going in their first season of London 2SE action. Oaks, needing just a point to guarantee a promotion play off berth, took the decision to rest players this weekend in light of the daunting fixture schedule they face over the coming weeks.
OA’s playing with the wind in the first half started much the better of the two teams and registered the first points of the day with a well worked set play that saw their outside centre dot down under the black dot unopposed. Oaks were lethargic and imprecise in everything they did for the first twenty minutes and looked nothing like the league’s leading point scorers this term. Oaks were shaken from their state of torpor by the youngest member of their squad, 18yr old winger Adams who crafted an outstanding try from nothing, beating three defenders on route to the line, Winter added the extras and two penalties to give Oaks the lead which he then extended further with a try of his own. 18-7 to Oaks at the half.
Despite harsh words being said at half time Oaks continued to play without due care and attention and barely struggled out of second gear. OA’s desperately needing points to avoid dropping into the relegation battle gave it their all and scored their second converted try of the day to close the score to 18-14 to the visitors. This finally spurred the boys from the Paddock into action and they allowed third gear to kick in. Two tries from Thorpe and Vaihu, both converted by Winter quickly followed putting the game away. At the final whistle Oaks had secured a 32-14 bonus point win and added another fixture to their season in the shape of a promotion play off game on April 30th.
After the match 1st XV Manager Jon Muchmore commented ‘That was not a pretty game to watch on a terrible pitch that any self respecting Friesian would turn their nose up at.. We seemed to already have eyes firmly fixed on the double header against T Wells and mentally we struggled to find any focus. The big plus point from today was the excellent performance from Ben Adams. Ben is a young lad just making his way in the senior game and the little bit of quality he showed to craft our first try only reinforces my opinion that he can be a very good player for us and a fixture in the team for many years to come. We have given him a few opportunities this term and whilst he is still raw and lacks a bit of physicality he has that one vital ingredient for a back three player, raw pace’.
Team
1 Naismith
2 Richardson
3 Power
4 Thorpe
5 Coleman
6 Baldock
7 Vizard
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Adams
12 Vaihu
13 Tree
14 Saunders
15 Streather
16 Aspinall
17 Dodd
18 Anderson
Sevenoaks 34 Beckenham 5
Oaks welcomed LSE2 rivals Beckenham to The Paddock on Saturday knowing that victory would stretch Captain Robinsons men’s winning streak at home to over a year. However, in the previous three meetings between the two sides since Beckenhams relegation at the end of the 13/14 season, there had been little to choose between the teams and a close spikey affair was in the offing for the home town faithful.
Beckenham would have started the season as a popular pick of many to be involved the end of term promotion race but a little bit of inconsistency has seen them fall back into the mid table pack. However, playing with the conditions in the first half, they started much the better of the two teams and managed to register the first score of the day with their winger going over in the corner after a five minute period of sustained pressure that saw them set up camp in the Oaks twenty two. Game on.
Oaks response to this early setback was swift and defined the narrative for the remaining seventy minutes of the game. The larger beasts in the Oaks pack took up the cudgels and ran hard and straight through the midfield channels, drawing in defenders before releasing quick ball for the backs to expose the space created out wide. Before the half, Oaks scored four tries through Naismith, Adams, Unwin and Winter. Winter picked a good time to have an unusually quiet day with the boot landing only two from eight on a day when wind and underfoot conditions were the kickers enemy . This left Oaks leading 22-5 at the half, bonus point secured, job nearly done.
As the second half progressed, Oaks stranglehold on the game tightened further as they imposed themselves on a tiring opposition. Further scores for Thorpe and a second score from winger Adams were added and a number of other opportunities were missed, in no small part due to the somewhat grim conditions. Oaks reward for their determination to keep playing regardless of the elements was a comfortable 34-5 win against doughty and committed opponents.
After the match Coach Vaughan commented ‘I was delighted with the effort from the team today. We are at that time of year, with games coming thick and fast, when the depth of your squad is really tested and you can get the odd upset. We showed a good level of composure and a real will to win against tough opposition who kept going until the end. We move onto the visit of London Exiles, who are a bit of an unknown quantity, to The Paddock next Saturday in the next round of the Cup in good spirits and hopefully we can replicate this level of performance’
Team
1 Naismith
2 Richardson
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Sedgwick
8 Robinson
9 Streather
10 Winter
11 Adams
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Dodd
15 Bates
16 Simmons T
17 Shirtcliff
18 Baldock
Sevenoaks 30 Cobham 13
Last Saturday saw Oaks welcome London South West table toppers Cobham to Knole Paddock for the latest round of the Intermediate Cup. The Surrey side look locks for automatic promotion in the league but should they trip up over the final few weeks of the season this game could be viewed as a dress rehearsal for the league play off at the end of April.
Oaks played with the conditions in the first half and the game took off at a frenetic pace with both sides looked to use the ball and explore all four corners of the Paddock. As the half progressed Oaks gradually built their lead, a try from Vaihu and two penalties and a conversion from outside half Winter saw Oaks take a 13-0 lead before Cobham struck back with a try to make the HT score 13-5 to the home side. Oaks were by now down to fourteen for ten minutes as Thorpe had to spend ten minutes on the naughty step for some injudicious use of the shoe, as a Cobham defender booked in for bed and breakfast on the wrong side of the ruck.
With the visitors now playing with the wind at their backs the burning question was did Oaks have enough of a lead to see them into the next round? The home faithful needn’t have troubled themselves as Oaks concussive defence took control of proceedings. Oaks also chose to keep the ball in hand wherever possible and registered two more tries through Saunders and Dodd to open up a seemingly comfortable 25-8 lead. Both sides exchanged one more try apiece before the final whistle, with the Oaks effort coming from substitute winger Adams, to make the final score 30-13 for the ‘Kentish Men’.
After the match coach Vaughan commented ‘That was a great game of rugbyto which both sides contributed greatly. Our defence was excellent and I thought we had a little bit of our snap back behind the scrum this week. The Simmons brothers, one making his first start and the other making his senior debut for the club, were outstanding and will be in time the bedrock of our pack for years to come. We wish Cobham well as they are a tremendous side who we will hopefully see again in London 1 next season. They are almost there and we now need to refocus on league matters to try and join them. We have had a tough run of late with bumps and bruises but again today the players who have come into the team have done a great job, selection for next Saturday will be tough’
Team
1 Simmons J
2 Vizard
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Baldock
8 Robinson
9 Streather
10 Winter
11 Saunders
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Dodd
15 Bates
16 Simmons T
17 Richardson
18Sedgwick
19 Adams
Deal 18 Sevenoaks 10
Last Saturday saw Oaks lose their first game in 2016 and their second this season. The opponents were Deal and Betteshanger and the venue was the Canada Road ground. This loss, combined with a comfortable victory for promotion rivals Tunbridge Wells means that Oaks season appears to be headed for the play off on April 30th rather than automatic promotion.
In grim conditions, on a tiny sodden pitch both sides ground out a dull and uninspiring, scoreless first half. As the referee blew the whistle for half time yet another bout of niggle broke out that saw Oaks half back Shirtcliff sent to the bin to cool his heels for ten minutes. Immediately upon the restart, Deal put the ball through the hands to exploit the Oaks deficit in numbers. Oaks centre Vaihu attempted to intercept the pass but managed only to knock the ball on. This resulted in a second yellow card for Oaks and a three point lead for Deal from the ensuing penalty.
Oaks defended valiantly for over twelve minutes with thirteen men but just as players were about to return to the pitch Deal registered their first try to take them to an 8-0 lead. Oaks now back at full strength quickly established a better foothold in the game scoring ten unanswered points, through a try from Dodd and a penalty and conversion from Winter. With two minutes left on the clock Oaks looked as though they had got out of jail with a fortuitous win but as Deal pressed Oaks gave away a needless penalty that let the Deal kicker make the play of the day and effectively sealing victory with an outstanding kick. As time expired and with Oaks running the ball from under their own posts Deal capitalised on yet another Oaks error to make the final score 18-10 to the home side.
After the game 1st XV Manager Jon Muchmore commented ‘All credit to Deal today, their defence and set piece were outstanding. That said I was hugely disappointed with our effort today. You know what to expect when you travel here in February and it is more of a mental challenge than a skill one. You have to be able to cope with all the ancillary elements that you get here, the tiny pitch, the crowd and a committed opponent that is always looking to test your mettle. We showed a lack of composure in all areas and our game management was poor and the first yellow at the half was crucial as it gave them real self belief. The only high point for us today was the debut from young loose head James Simmons who was outstanding on his senior debut for the club’
Team
1 Naismith
2 Vizard
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Sedgwick
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Adams
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Streather
15 Bates
16 Simmons
17 Baldock
18 Dodd
Sevenoaks 40 Horsham 7
Oaks welcomed Horsham to the Paddock last Saturday for their latest London 2 encounter knowing that the green and whites were one of the few teams to deny Oaks a bonus point win this season. With the prevailing weather conditions being less than clement Oaks knew they would have to be at their best to gain the required five point win against a much respected opponent .
On a day when Oaks knew they had to score tries they relied on their defence to create the early attacking opportunities. Oaks pressed the visitors hard in the first twenty minutes and were rewarded with four excellent tries. Their line speed aligned with superior physicality and precision around the contact areas of the tackle and the breakdown presented chances that were gratefully accepted by Messrs Vaihu, Thorpe, Bates and Shirtcliff. Outside half Winter slotted three of the conversions to make the score at the half 26-0. Contest effectively over, bonus point earned, job done.
The second half continued much as the first had finished with Oaks dominating the tempo of the game. That Oaks only scored two more tries through back three flier Streather his thirteenth and fourteenth of the season, was a testament to the dogged resistance shown by a proud Horsham team. Winter notching the extras on both occasions. Horsham registered the first try from open play against Oaks in over a month with their winger Watts registering an absolute peach that was roundly applauded on all sides. As the final whistle blew Oaks had run out winners by 40-7.
Coach Vaughan commented after the game ‘For me, the first half today was our most complete forty minutes of the season to date. Our defensive press was outstanding and whilst our backs, who regularly sparked the crowd with a frisson of excitement, scored most of the tries, I thought that the big ball carriers in the pack were superb creating numerous openings for us to exploit. Winter had a tremendous game and moved us around the park really well. We need to keep this momentum going for the exacting challenges we face over the coming month, starting with Deal away next Saturday. That isn’t a place for the weak of heart or mind.’
Squad
1 Naismith
2 Richardson
3 Power
4 Coleman
5 Anderson
6 Thorpe
7 Sedwick
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Saunders
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Streather
15 Bates
16 Aspinall
17 Baldock
18 Adams
Ashford 0 Sevenoaks 80
Last Saturday saw Sevenoaks Rugby 1st XV maintain their promotion challenge with a convincing victory on the road at Ashford.
Oaks played some superb rugby on the day against a side who, despite having had a tough season, gave it their all from minutes one to eighty.
The boys from the Paddock led 35-0 at half time through tries from Martyr, Streather, Unwin, Saunders and Anderson.
Playing against the wind in the second stanza Oaks ran in seven more tries with touchdowns coming from Vaihu, a brace from Academy starlet Adams, Winter, Streather, Robinson and an absolute peach that saw Bates finish off an outstanding team try that will live long in the memory. Winter kicked 10 from 12 taking his personal tally on the day to 25pts.
The additional bonus for Oaks is that with the Tunbridge Wells fixture being cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, Oaks moved clear at the top of London 2, with the hunter now becoming the hunted.
Coach Vaughan commented at the final whistle, "I was obviously delighted with the guys' focus today for the full 80 minutes. We now have a week off, as Basingstoke have withdrawn from the Intermediate Cup, to prepare for a tough February that will see us play Deal, Horsham and Beckenham. These games will be pivotal in shaping our season."
Squad
Naismith
Martyr
Power
Anderson
Coleman
Thorpe
Sedgwick
Robinson
Shirtcliff
Winter
Saunders
Vaihu
Unwin
Streather
Bates
Subs
Richardson
Adams
Baldock
Sevenoaks 50 Crowborough 7
Oaks welcomed local rivals Crowborough to The Paddock last Saturday for the London 2 encounter that paired teams from the opposing ends of the table. Oaks were desperate to register their fifth consecutive bonus point victory whilst the visitors were looking points to help them in their survival bid.
In front of a large home crowd, bolstered in part by the not inconsiderable presence of the President of the RFU Jason Leonard, both sides put on a tremendous display of expansive, running rugby. Oaks recorded eight tries on the day, four in each half whilst the visitors sole consolation was an excellent breakaway try just before half.
Oaks number eight and Captain Robinson led the blue gold from the front and registered a personal haul of three tries due to his excellent support play and the graft of a tight five that broke Crowborough hearts with its power, pace and physicality. Silky wing three quarter Streather notched a brace, with other tries from hooker Martyr, centre Vaihu and wing three quarter Saunders. Outside half Winter had a good day off the tee kicking five from eight, most of which were from out wide towards the touchline.
At the final whistle Coach Vaughan commented ‘That was a really good eighty minutes from us this week. Since Christmas we have played well in short bursts that have won us games but today we kept on playing from first to last and kept our composure and shape very well. We have set ourselves a high benchmark for the remainder of the season and I was particularly pleased with the work rate of the tight five, the omnipresence of the support runners and the mellifluous nature of some of the lines we took was a joy to behold’
Oaks next fixture is away to Ashford this coming Saturday before an Intermediate Cup visit to Basingstoke on the 6th Feb. The next home game at The Paddock is on the 13th February when Horsham are the visitors.
Squad
1 Naismith
2 Martyr
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Sedgwick
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Saunders
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Streather
15 Bates
16 Swallow
17 Aspinall
18 Adams
Sevenoaks 34 Hove 7
The Oaks freight train kept rolling last Saturday with a convincing home win against a talented Hove side who have struggled this term against the more physical sides in London SE2. The game also had the novelty factor of two brothers playing on opposing teams, Jack Walker for Oaks and Will Walker for Hove. Honours were almost even in the Walker household with Jack playing for the victors and Will registering the visitors only try by intercepting a misplaced pass as Oaks looked certain to score and scampering the length of the field to dot down under the sticks.
The game as a contest was effectively over by half time. Oaks were quick to recover from the early Hove intercept to register a penalty and four first half tries through Anderson, Power, Robinson and Dodd. Winter added the extras on three occasions and slotted the penalty. The coaching staff spoke at length at half time about retaining focus for the second half and keeping to the pattern that had served them so well in the first forty minutes. However, the second stanza turned into a scrappy affair with Oaks playing too much rugby and butchering chance after chance. The only reward for their efforts was a second Robinson try that made the final score 34-7 to the boys from The Paddock.
Coach Vaughan was in sanguine mood at the final whistle commenting ‘We played really well in the first half and I was delighted with our discipline and patience, the less said about the second half the better. All four tries came from the work we have been able to do in training which has been severely restricted by the weather. We will need to put in an 80 minute performance next week if we are to win against a Crowborough side who will take a lot of confidence from their win at the weekend’.
Squad
1 Naismith
2 Martyr
3 Power
4 Coleman
5 Anderson
6 Thorpe
7 Sedgwick
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Dodd
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Saunders
15 Streather
16 Bates
17 Walker
18 Swallow
Thanet 22 Sevenoaks 27
Oaks made the long journey to East Kent last Saturday to face a Thanet Wanderers side desperate to register a win to boost their hopes in the battle for survival this season. Oaks were forced into a number of changes due to injury and illness but were still hopeful of picking up the bonus point win they needed to keep their promotion charge on track.
Both teams were greeted by grim weather, a cold blustery wind, intermittent rain and a soggy sloping pitch that made for difficult playing conditions and had the crowd wistfully looking back to the fast tracks so prevalent earlier in the season. The ensuing tussle was, despite both teams best efforts to play an expansive game, something that will not live long in the memory. Oaks could have paid a high price for their imprecision and mental slackness on the day, due to a combination of the festive break and the lack of training caused by the Paddock resembling the paddy fields of the Far East.
However, as with all good pantomimes, it all turned out well in the end with both sides pleased with their points haul on the day. Oaks were delighted to escape with a bonus point win through tries from Thorpe, Swallow, Tree and Dodd. Equally Thanet and their supporters were overjoyed with the last minute score that gave them an unexpected losing bonus point that means that Crowborough, the team immediately above them in the table, are now within reach.
Coach Vaughan commented ‘I am obviously delighted to come to Thanet on a grim day and take home maximum points. However, our execution today and our mental application were not what I would expect. We looked like a team that had left our minds on the bus, whilst all credit to Thanet who were on the pace from the off. We played well for a total of ten minutes, scored four tries to put the game to bed and then popped on the slippers and settled down in front of the fire with a mince pie and a glass of something warming and that just isn’t good enough.’
1 Naismith
2 Richardson
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Swallow
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Tree
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Dodd
15 Bates
16 Walker
17 Adams
18 Swallow
Sevenoaks 40 Old Alleynians 10
An Old Alleynians team, who sit comfortably in mid-table, were the visitors to the Paddock last Saturdayas Oaks played only their fourth home game of the season. The teams were greeted by a gale force wind, howling down a pitch that was in surprisingly good condition given the recent downpours, with OA’s having the advantage of the elements at their back for the first half.
Oaks, due to the wind, largely eschewed the kicking option in the early exchanges, keeping the ball in hand, probing for openings against a stubborn and well organised OA’s defence. OA’s also tried to put width on the game at every opportunity and eventually opened the scoring with an intercept try somewhat against the run of play. With Oaks pressing deep in their opponents twenty two for a score, the final pass was intercepted and the OA’s twelve scampered the eighty metres to register the first try of the game.
Oaks were stung into action by this unfortunate reverse and hit back with tries from Streather who is on track for a twenty plus tries this season and Robinson, both converted by outside half Winter. At the break Oaks led 14-7. Patience and execution were the watchwords from the coaches as the teams mulled over their efforts in the first forty minutes.
Now playing with the weather, Oaks soon put the game to bed, scoring four second half tries. Three coming from inside centre Vaihu, a menace with ball in hand all day and prop Power, rumbling over in the corner for the other. Winter added the extras on three occasions to make his record five from six on the day, which was an excellent effort given the capricious nature of the wind. At the final whistle Oaks had registered the all important bonus point victory to stay at the top end of the table going into the Tunbridge Wells match next weekend.
After the match coach Vaughan commented ‘We are obviously delighted to get a ninth successive win against tenacious opponents. It would have been all too easy today, especially in such tough conditions, to have lost our way with the TW game just around the corner. However, the group kept focused on the task in hand and picked up five valuable points’
Squad
1 Naismith
2 Sedgwick
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Swallow
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Tree
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Saunders
15 Streather
16 Walker
17 Nay
18 Bates
Oaks 27 Deal 0
Oaks notched up another hard fought victory on Saturday against Deal to take their record to 7-0 for the season. It also marked the return of one of Oaks' favourite sons as ex-premiership and England star Tom May returned to play for the blue and gold for the first time since his junior days at the club.
In truly awful conditions this mid season arm wrestle was one for the connoisseur rather than an example of the free running rugby Oaks have displayed so far this term. However, Oaks three tries on the day came from two of their back three, winger Saunders and full back Streather with the other from fly half Winter. Oaks, playing with the wind, took an early lead and never looked like relinquishing it. Skipper Robinson's men steadily built a 20-0 score line that was always going to be too much for the visitors from East Kent to overturn in the second half.
The boys from Knole Paddock continued to dominate the game in the second stanza, with Winter jogging over for a 27-0 lead but couldn’t find that all important bonus point try in the deteriorating conditions. Skipper Robinson was in sanguine mood after the match commenting ‘That was really tough out there today and I am delighted that the guys found a way to win and win well against tough opponents. Perhaps in one sense we were guilty of playing a little too much rugby at times, particularly in the first half but you do not want to suppress the ambition that has stood us in such good stead this term and has been the catalyst for our unbeaten start’. On May he noted ‘Tom has been fantastic since he joined us in pre season. He has a great work ethic at training and has installed a huge amount of confidence in everybody. Making the transition back to the amateur game cannot have been easy for him but he has mucked in as one of the lads and been a pleasure to work with. With the conditions as they were today though, I'm sure he may have been asking himself why he ever left Toulon!’
Oaks face an away trip next weekend to Beckenham who will be looking to bounce back from their surprising away loss to Hove.
1 Naismith
2 Richardson
3 Power
4 Coleman
5 Anderson
6 Thorpe
7 Sedgwick
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Unwin
12 Vaihu
13 May
14 Saunders
15 Streather
16 Walker
17 Swallow
18 Adams
Horsham 19 Sevenoaks 25
Saturday saw Oaks face their sternest test of the season to date as they made the trip down the M23 to visit third placed side Horsham. The Sussex side had won four of their first five matches and were confident of causing an upset against the unbeaten boys from Knole Paddock.
Oaks, having lost the coin toss, had to play the first half into driving rain that had washed away the pitch markings and a howling gale that blew diagonally across the pitch. The early stages saw both sides try and play some rugby but somewhat surprisingly the home side didn’t put boot to ball and try and pin Oaks back into their twenty two. Oaks, having registered eighty five points in their last outing, were comfortable with ball in hand but also judiciously used the boot to nudge the ball behind the Horsham back three. After pressurising the home line Oaks took the lead with a penalty from outside half Winter and it looked as though they would hold that narrow lead at the turn. However, two excellent tries, one from each team arrived in quick succession. Horsham opened the try scoring with a fluid move and then Oaks winger Saunders, continuing his recent good form, touched down after a solo effort from inside his own half, leaving Oaks with a 10-7 lead at the half.
The second half was played in much calmer conditions and allowed both sides to express themselves more. Oaks kicked an early penalty to take their lead to six points and spurned a couple of chances to take control of the game. However, the home side had different ideas and in the space of five minutes midway through the second half, registered two quick fire long range scores to make the score 19-13 to Horsham. With just over ten minutes to preserve their unbeaten record Oaks had to dig deep into their reserves of self belief to take anything from the game. Skipper Robinson's men showed how far they have come over the past couple of years by notching two tries through the ever reliable fullback Streather who scored out wide and fly half Winter who dotted down besides the posts. Winter added the extras to his own try to make the full time score 19-25 to the visitors.
Coach Vaughan commented ‘For me, bearing in mind the conditions I thought both teams played well and showed a great deal of ambition on a day when it would have been easier to put it up the jumper. Whilst it was a shame not to pick up a bonus point we are pleased with the win which I am sure, by the end of the season, will prove to be a really valuable one. We now move on to two further tough games this month starting with Deal at home on Saturday’.
Squad
1 Naismith
2 Richardson
3 Power
4 Anderson
5 Coleman
6 Thorpe
7 Swallow
8 Robinson
9 Shirtcliff
10 Winter
11 Dodd
12 Vaihu
13 Unwin
14 Saunders
15 Streather
16 Sedgwick
17 Martyr
18 Bates
Sevenoaks 85 Ashford 10
Oaks continued their unbeaten start to the season and retained the league leadership with a convincing win over Ashford at the Paddock last Saturday. Oaks registered thirteen tries in all and outside half Winter secured a personal haul of 30 points.
Oaks took an early lead through centre Vaihu and the result was never in doubt after a quick fire brace from prop Walker and veteran number 8 Robinson. The all important bonus point try from Winter came after thirty minutes and Oaks added another on the stroke of half time from Tree. Oaks lack of precision at times in the first half coupled with some brave Ashford defence meant that the score at the break was 36-3.
The team talk at the turn was all about keeping the ball, going through the phases and playing the pattern. The extra patience paid dividends with eight further tries from Vaihu, Winter, Dodd, Unwin, Streather, Robinson, Swallow and Naismith. Winter kicked 10 from 13 on the day.
After the match 1st XV Manager Jon Muchmore commented ‘We are obviously pleased with the result on the day. I am also delighted for the new players who started today. I thought Richardson had a great debut at hooker. He has been playing really well in the 2nds and deserved his chance, despite his very questionable haircut. It was also great to see youngsters Sedgwick and Walker make their first starts after good efforts from the bench over recent weeks. The squad has been really stretched over the first few weeks of the season and the more people we can get playing at the requisite level the better. We know there will be tougher days ahead over a tricky November period that sees us travel to Horsham and Beckenham, whilst Deal are the visitors to the Paddock for our next home game on the 14thNovember. However, we welcome the challenge and the pressure that comes from being top of the table’.
1 Jack Walker
2 Fred Richardson
3 Dan Power
4 Will Thorpe
5 Stuart Coleman
6 Tom Swallow
7 Scott Sedgwick
8 Ollie Robinson
9 Ollie Shirtcliff
10 Isaac Winter
11 Simon Tree
12 Tino Vaihu
13 Robbie Unwin
14 Dom Saunders
15 Rob Streather
16 Kelly Anderson
17 Matt Dodd
18 Charlie Naismith