After the furore of the Rugby World Cup, a double header awaits this weekend at St Mark’s Road, Tunbridge Wells as Sevenoaks RFC 1st and 2nd XV’s travel the short distance to their neighbours for two league matches which Oaks Head Coach Adam Bowman says he ‘cannot wait for’.
Since Oaks promotion to London Premier in April, both Wells and Oaks supporters have had one eye on this match-up, having been starved of a 1st XV clash since Wells were promoted into the league three seasons ago. Indeed the men from St Mark’s have had the upper-hand against Oaks in recent times, overcoming Oaks in the past four league matches and the Intermediate Cup match between the two. That said, Oaks have had the better in the 2nd XV fixtures, winning both matches home and away last year – it is really going to be an enthralling afternoon of rugby in both matches.
Oaks and Tunbridge Wells RFC scrum down at the Paddock during the last match between the two sides. Photo credit: David Purday
‘I am sure both sets of players have missed the match’ said Head Coach Adam Bowman this week. ‘It is always an extremely competitive fixture and always draws a big crowd, whether home or away. We have the upmost respect for Tunbridge Well RFC as a Club and their teams and it’s always good to catch up after the game with their players, coaches and supporters.’
‘When we last met, they were probably ahead in their cycle – they had a spine of experienced players running through the team, with the likes of Charlie Harding and Lee Campion as well as some excellent young players like Chas Spence and Frank Reynolds. They have done brilliantly since coming into this league and that experience will no doubt count for a lot this Saturday. But we are a different side pretty much to the one they last faced in a 1st XV match and I know they have a number of new faces as well. I think for a few of our players it will be their first time playing Tunbridge Wells RFC for Sevenoaks so I’m not sure they will be too bogged down with what has gone before. As I always say, we have to build on each performance and we put in some good performances before the break last Saturday so I want us to continue that.’
Oaks Head Coach Adam Bowman and his squad are looking forward to the double-header derby this Saturday. Photo credit: David Purday
The 2nd XV return to league action hoping to continue where they left off, albeit with a more accurate performance than the one that saw them squeeze out Tonbridge Juddians RFC by six points to five. ‘Like we did against Sidcup RFC at the start of the season, it adds a lot more to the day when both sides 1st and 2nd XV’s take on each other’ said Bowman. Hopefully it will mean we get lots down early to support the 2s and then stay for the 1st XV match which is straight after. In my eyes, if the hosting Club can accommodate it, it is a ‘win, win’ for all involved – the players get more people watching and get to see their mates play, the supporters get 2 games, the hosting Club gets more people spending money behind the bar – it’s something we feel really passionate about as a Club and it will be something we can hopefully do during the return fixture as well.’
The 3rd XV will also be looking to continue their good starts to the season when they take on Gravesend RFC 2nd XV away from home. The 3rd XV have had a superb start to the season, unbeaten so far, but no doubt face their toughest test, with Gravesend RFC at the top of the table, due to playing two more games.
‘It’s great to get back into Club rugby’ said Bowman ‘and hopefully we will get lots of supporters wanting to continue their rugby ‘fix’ after the World Cup – Saturday should be a great occasion for all involved and we can’t wait to get going.’
In addition to the two senior fixtures at St Mark’s Road, the Under 9 teams from both Clubs will take part in a curtain raiser before the 1st XV fixture.