Can’t Make It to the Paddock? Watch the Oaks Live Online

Our 1st XV host Bracknell RFC at the Paddock on Saturday 10 October. If you can’t be there, you can watch the build-up and match live from wherever you are.

Live footage begins at 14:15, with kick-off at 15:00.

Watch live on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/live/aH8dFanHpgo?si=PC9AZcj6s414BwEz

You can also find the viewing link in our Instagram Story and Watch Live Highlight.

It was great to receive so much positive feedback about last week’s live stream at Wimbledon. After the technical difficulties against Maidenhead, we’re hoping for an equally good viewing experience at home this Saturday. Live streaming is still new to us, so thank you for your patience and support as we learn and improve.

We’ll be streaming 1st XV home and away matches throughout the 2026/27 season, so subscribe to our YouTube channel to follow the action.

Up the Oaks! 💛💙

From the Touchline

The Details That Make the Difference

It’s great to be back at the Paddock as our 1st XV take on Bracknell RFC. Two encouraging weekends have given us a positive start and a platform to build on.

Last Saturday, the 1st XV secured a 47–7 win at Wimbledon in our first away league fixture. Our discipline and defence particularly pleased me. We conceded six penalties, following five against Maidenhead - both within our benchmark of eight or fewer. That discipline helps us control games and sustain pressure. We completed 108 tackles, including 48 dominant tackles, with eight missed - a 93% completion rate. With only 19 points conceded across two games, those are strong standards we must keep working to meet and improve.

There were areas I was less happy with. Our lineout defence needs improvement, and our attacking lineout was sloppy in the first half despite an 88% completion rate. We took our foot off the gas after half-time, leaving another two or three tries out there. We must stick to our processes for 80 minutes, with our bench bringing fresh energy and driving intensity and accuracy.

Preparation matters too. Our day began at 11am with squad brunch, followed by a planned stop en route and arrival at 1.15pm. An on-pitch energiser helped shake off the journey before we walked through our pitch maps and began our warm-up - all timed to the minute. These details matter. Well done to Jon Noble for managing the day superbly.

Last Sunday, our Player Leadership Group and coaching team each reviewed our last block and previewed the next block: what’s working on and off the pitch, where we can improve and, crucially, how. These regular reviews keep players and staff aligned across all our XVs and drive performance through clear plans. I believe 75% of our time should focus on longer-term priorities that feed into our game model, with 25% responding to the previous Saturday.

Our 2nd XV earned a hard-fought 26–21 win against a good Heathfield side. Across our senior men’s squad, healthy competition and movement between our three XVs raise standards as we work towards our squad objectives.

Well done to Mark Reay, Howard Packman, the coaches and players of our Academy 1st XV on their 31–24 away win in the National Cup’s opening round—a proud result for the pathway that has produced so many senior players.

Thank you to our coaches, medical team, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. The Paddock is special on matchday, and your support and noise make a real difference to the squad.

Enjoy the match, and come on you Oaks!

Adam Bowman
Director of Rugby

Player Sponsor Spotlight: Tom Simmons & Stephen Manley

We’re delighted to spotlight Stephen Manley, sponsor of Tom Simmons for the 2026/27 season.

A huge thank you to Stephen Manley for sponsoring Scott and supporting him and Sevenoaks RFC this season. Individual sponsors play an important part in supporting our players and the wider club, and we’re grateful for their generosity.

We’re proud to have you backing the Oaks!

Inside the Oaks | Episode 2: Ethan Jones & Jarlath Hetherington

Match reaction, weekend previews and getting to know the Oaks!

Inside the Oaks returns with Ethan Jones and Jarlath Hetherington—last Saturday’s 1st XV and 2nd XV Men of the Match.

In Episode 2, we get to know the players, hear their reaction to last weekend’s matches against Wimbledon and Heathfield, and look ahead to Saturday’s fixtures:

🏉 1st XV host Bracknell RFC at the Paddock
🏉 2nd XV travel to Canterbury RFC
📅 Saturday 10 October

Watch Episode 2 for match reaction, a weekend preview and a chance to get to know Ethan and Jarlath.

Watch Episode 2:
https://youtu.be/qgK1hBnvs94

See you on Saturday—whether you’re supporting at the Paddock, making the trip to Canterbury or cheering on the 1st XV online via our live stream. Come on, Oaks!

Partnership Renewal with Sevenoaks Medical Centre

Sevenoaks RFC is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with Sevenoaks Medical Centre (SMC), continuing a valued relationship that supports the health, wellbeing and welfare of the Club’s players, staff, members and wider rugby community.

Through the partnership, Sevenoaks RFC players, coaches, staff and members continue to benefit from access to the expertise, facilities and services available through Sevenoaks Medical Centre.

This support is particularly valuable in helping the Club prioritise player welfare and ensure that its rugby community has access to high-quality healthcare and specialist expertise both on and off the pitch.

Speaking about the renewal, Adam Bowman, Director of Rugby at Sevenoaks RFC, said:

“Player welfare is central to everything we do at Sevenoaks RFC. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Sevenoaks Medical Centre, whose expertise and support are hugely valued by our rugby community. We look forward to building on this relationship throughout the season and beyond.”

Emma Santer, Partnerships Manager at KIMS Hospital said:

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sevenoaks Rugby Football Club. The club is such an important part of the local community, bringing together players, families, volunteers and supporters of all ages, and we are proud to play a role in supporting their health and wellbeing. Our partnership is about much more than supporting players on matchday. We want to make sure that the Sevenoaks RFC community has access to high-quality healthcare and specialist expertise when they need it. We look forward to building on the relationship over the coming season and continuing to support the club, its players and its wider membership both on and off the pitch.”

With the new season underway, Sevenoaks RFC is looking forward to strengthening its relationship with Sevenoaks Medical Centre and continuing to work together in support of the Club and the wider local community.

Come On You Oaks!

Primary Schools Take to the Paddock

Sevenoaks RFC was delighted to welcome local primary schools to the Paddock on Monday 5 October for a Year 3 and 4 Tag Rugby Festival.

Following September’s Year 5 and 6 festival, it was fantastic to welcome younger pupils for another afternoon of rugby, teamwork and fun.

A huge thank you to Clare Strange for organising the event and to our club members who volunteered as referees. Their time and support help make these opportunities possible for local children.

We would also like to thank Sevenoaks Town Council for providing the pitches, alongside the teachers and school staff who supported the afternoon.

It’s always a pleasure to bring local schools together at the Club, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again soon!

Sevenoaks RFC & CHS Networks Bring Local Business Community Together for AI Breakfast

Sevenoaks RFC was delighted to welcome more than 60 guests to the Club for the CHS Networks AI Business Breakfast, bringing together sponsors, partners, members and businesses from across the local community.

It was fantastic to see the Clubhouse full and to have so many people connecting, sharing ideas and making new connections throughout the morning.

A huge thank you to our sponsors CHS Networks for supporting the event, and to our guest speaker from Westcoast Cloud for an engaging and insightful session exploring AI, its growing role within business and some of the practical opportunities it presents.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the morning such a success.

Events like this provide a great opportunity to bring our sponsors, partners and local businesses together, strengthening connections between Sevenoaks RFC and the wider business community.

We’re already looking forward to the next one!

Join the Sevenoaks RFC Business Community

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or partner of Sevenoaks RFC and joining our growing business community, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about sponsorship and partnership opportunities:
https://sevenoaksrugby.com/become-a-sponsor-partner

Or contact Adam Bowman at coachajbowman@gmail.com to discuss how your business can get involved.

🎥 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | WIMBLEDON RFC 7–47 OAKS 1ST XV

🎥 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | WIMBLEDON RFC 7–47 OAKS 1ST XV

Two wins from two to start the 2026/27 league season! Relive the action from Saturday’s away win at Wimbledon RFC 🏉

Thank you to everyone who travelled to support the Oaks, and to Warners Solicitors, our match highlights sponsor.

https://youtu.be/35Y3sGmdHe0

#SevenoaksRFC #TheOaks #MatchHighlights

🏉 MAKE A DAY OF IT AT THE PADDOCK! 💙💛

🏉 MAKE A DAY OF IT AT THE PADDOCK! 💙💛

Two wins from two for our Men’s 1st XV! Help the Oaks carry that momentum into October—join us for lunch and get behind the boys!

🍻 OCTOBER LUNCH OFFER
Enjoy a FREE glass of wine or a pint with your lunch booking at any of these October matches:

📅 10 October – vs Bracknell
📅 17 October – vs Farnham | Vice Presidents’ Lunch
📅 31 October – vs London Scottish

With 50% of our senior men’s squad coming through our Junior and Academy sections, alongside players who have made the Oaks their home, this group has huge potential. Your support makes a real difference!

🍽️ BRACKNELL MENU | 10 OCTOBER
• Duck and orange pâté with crusty bread and butter
• Shoulder of pork with leeks and celery in apple cider gravy, served with mashed potatoes and French beans
• Cheese and biscuits

🍻 Bar opens: 12pm
🍽️ Lunch: 1pm
🏉 Kick-off: 3pm

Members £30 | Non-members £40

Bring friends, family or colleagues—everyone is welcome!

👉 Book your places:
https://sevenoaksrugby.com/event-bookings

See you at the Paddock!

🎙️ POST-MATCH REACTION

A 47–7 win for the Oaks 1st XV away at Wimbledon RFC!

Hear from Director of Rugby Adam Bowman, back-five forward James Kerton—an Academy graduate and former Academy captain—and experienced centre Duncan Tout, who joined the squad this summer, with Reporter Jon on the mic 🎤

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E6ecjXTFk8A

#SevenoaksRFC #TheOaks #ReporterJon

Four Wins for the Oaks | 3–4 October

It was a winning weekend for our Senior Men and Academy sides, with all four teams securing victories.

On Saturday, the Men’s 1st XV recorded an impressive 47–7 win away at Wimbledon RFC, while the 2nd XV edged Heathfield RFC 26–21 at the Paddock.

Our Academy sides continued the winning run on Sunday. The U16s beat Old Colfeians 33–21, with the U18sovercoming Gravesend 31–24.

Congratulations to all four squads, and thank you to the coaches, volunteers and supporters who helped make it a successful weekend for the Oaks! 💙💛

Can’t Make It to Wimbledon? Watch the Oaks Live Online

Our 1st XV travel to Wimbledon RFC on Saturday 3 October. If you can’t be there, you can watch the build-up and match live from wherever you are.

Live footage begins at 14:15, with kick-off at 15:00.

Watch live on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/live/-hWKdKf_X-w?si=6JaI8AG9k_kO5A9t

You can also find the viewing link in our Instagram Story and Watch Live Highlight.

Sorry for last week’s technical difficulties—we hope to have resolved them for Saturday. Live streaming is new for us, but we’ll get there! Thanks for your patience and support.

We’ll be streaming 1st XV home and away matches throughout the 2026/27 season, so subscribe to our YouTube channel to follow the action.

Up the Oaks! 💛💙

BACK THE OAKS IN 2026/27 💛💙

Here are some of the Senior Men’s players and staff available to sponsor this season. There are more opportunities across the squad, so get in touch if you have someone in mind!

For £300 + VAT per person, or £500 + VAT for two, your sponsorship includes:

✓ Your logo, name and a direct link beside your chosen player or staff member’s photo on the club website
✓ Your name in the matchday programme
✓ Your name on Senior Men’s social media team sheets
✓ A sponsor spotlight shout-out featuring your logo and name
✓ Your logo or name on try scorer announcements when your sponsored player scores, or when they receive a Player of the Match award

To find out who’s available or secure your sponsorship, contact Jon Noble at srfc.operations@gmail.com.

Player Sponsor Spotlight: Scott Sedgwick and Stephen Manley

We’re delighted to spotlight Stephen Manley, sponsor of Scott Sedgwick for the 2026/27 season.

A huge thank you to Stephen Manley for sponsoring Scott and supporting him and Sevenoaks RFC this season. Individual sponsors play an important part in supporting our players and the wider club, and we’re grateful for their generosity. We’re proud to have you backing the Oaks.

🎥 INSIDE THE OAKS | EPISODE 1

Match reaction, weekend previews and getting to know the Oaks!

Our new midweek interview series kicks off with Dave Irvine and Will Murphy—last Saturday’s 1st XV and 2nd XV Men of the Match.

They reflect on last weekend and look ahead to Saturday’s fixtures:

🏉 1st XV away at Wimbledon RFC
🏉 2nd XV home against Heathfield RFC at the Paddock
📅 Saturday 3 October | Both kick off at 3pm

Dave Irvine is proudly sponsored by Cook Trading Ltd. Will Murphy is available to sponsor—get in touch if you’d like to support him this season!

See you on Saturday—whether you’re travelling to Wimbledon or supporting the 2nd XV at the Paddock. Come on, Oaks!

#SevenoaksRFC #InsideTheOaks #TheOaks #ReporterJon

Senior Men’s Centres Supporting Our Future Oaks.

Senior Men’s centres Zac Shirtcliff and Tom Sarkesian joined our U9s and U13s last Sunday as part of the Sevenoaks RFC Coach Education Series.

Zac and Tom shared their knowledge and experience with both players and coaches, supporting the sessions and helping our young Mighty Oaks develop their skills and understanding of the game.

It was fantastic to see knowledge and experience being shared across the Club.

A huge thank you to Zac and Tom for giving up their time and making such a positive contribution.

West Heath School Joins the SRFC Family!

We are delighted to announce West Heath School as a new club sponsor, marking the beginning of an exciting partnership between two organisations rooted in the Sevenoaks community.

West Heath School is an independent school supporting young people aged 9 to 20 with special educational needs and disabilities, including social, emotional and mental health needs. Set within 32 acres of Kent countryside on the outskirts of Sevenoaks, the school provides a nurturing and holistic environment in which students’ educational and therapeutic needs are supported together. Its staff believe passionately in the transformative power of education and work to help every young person make sustained progress and develop the resilience needed for their future lives.

Adam Bowman, Director of Rugby & Commercial at SRFC, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome West Heath School to the Sevenoaks RFC family. As two organisations with strong roots in the local community, there is a clear alignment between our values and our shared commitment to supporting young people.

“The work West Heath does to help young people rebuild their confidence, develop resilience and flourish is incredibly important. We are proud to have them supporting the club and look forward to building a meaningful partnership together.”

Photini Bohacek, Principal of West Heath School, commented:

“Thank you for welcoming West Heath School so warmly into the SRFC community Adam. We look forward to working with the Club and introducing your members to our school and the unique educational experience we offer our students.”

Find out more about West Heath School:
www.westheathschool.com

Andi Returns as Senior Women’s 1st XV Captain for 2026/27

Following a 92–0 win to open the season — on her birthday, no less — Sevenoaks RFC is delighted to confirm that Andi will captain the Senior Women’s 1st XV for a second year.

Andi took over the captaincy from Emma Bowman last season. Since then, she has continued to build on the foundations Emma laid, both on and off the pitch.

Senior Women’s Head Coach Grant Scandling said: “Over the last few years, Andi has become such a huge part of this team. She leads by example on the pitch and, most importantly, genuinely cares about every player in the squad. Her work off the pitch never ceases, and she has put in a huge amount of effort to get us ready for another league season. We’re incredibly lucky to have her leading us again, and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Andi also wanted to recognise the captain who came before her:

“Huge thanks to Emma, on behalf of the whole squad, for the phenomenal energy and commitment she’s put into this team over the last three years, on and off the pitch. She played such a huge part in building this squad from the ground up, from recruiting players and growing the team to creating the strong culture we have today. Coming to rugby having never played the game, and then stepping into the captaincy the way she did, was so impressive. I’m so grateful to be leading the team she helped build.”

Thank you, Emma, for everything you’ve given to the Senior Women’s squad. Congratulations, Andi — here’s to another fantastic season.

Come on you Oaks! 💙💛

🎥 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | OAKS 1ST XV 68–12 MAIDENHEAD RFC

🎥 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | OAKS 1ST XV 68–12 MAIDENHEAD RFC

A winning start to the 2026/27 league season at the Paddock. Relive the action from Saturday’s match! 🏉

Thank you to everyone who came down to support the Oaks, and to Warners Solicitors, our match highlights sponsor.

https://youtu.be/6-yaIvvMlaY