Head Coach Adam Bowman can’t wait to get going on Saturday. Photo Credit: David Purday
Senior rugby gets back underway at the Paddock this Saturday, with three sides in action in what is set to be an exciting day of action packed rugby. Having not seen a competitive match at the Club since the 6th April – that’s 161 days for those that are interested – supporters with severe RWS (Rugby Withdrawal Symptoms) will be able to get their fix from 1pm on Saturday afternoon, when Sevenoaks RFC 2nd XV take on Sidcup RFC 2nd XV on the main pitch in front of the Clubhouse – the match will be a Kent Cup fixture, which is sure to get both sides competitive juices flowing even more. This will be followed by two further matches of significant importance, as the 1st XV play their first home game of the season against Sidcup RFC 1st XV, whilst the Mighty Gents take on Vigo RFC in the annual Jim Monks Memorial Match.
‘It’s great to get the season at the Paddock underway with such a bang’ said Head Coach Adam Bowman. ‘We have done it before (where the 2nd XV play before the 1st XV) and it’s something that we are always keen to do where possible. Sidcup and their Head Coach Chris Jones have been a real driving force in Kent for Club’s to work together and make the most of match days. To have a Kent Cup fixture and our first London Premier home game on the same day and against the same Club hopefully means the Paddock will be busy from one o’ clock.’
At 3pm, alongside the 1st XV match, the Mighty Gents will play host to Vigo RFC, with the match being played in honour of Jim Monks, who passed away seven years ago having played for both Oaks and Vigo RFC. ‘It’s quite an achievement, over the years the match has raised over £8,000’ said Bowman. ‘It just shows the respect and high esteem Jim was held in by both Clubs and we will certainly be raising a glass to Jim in the Clubhouse, and also hope to raise more money for the Anthony Nolan Charity in his memory.’
Jim Monks, pictured front row fourth in from the left, was a true Club legend for both Oaks and Vigo RFC.
One cannot fail to look back to last weekend and Oaks ‘dream’ start to the season, with a convincing 25-11 bonus point win away at Bedford Athletic RFC, a side that had finished 6th in London Premier last season. Typical of Bowman though, he is not one to get too excited. ‘It was a really good start. I think we perhaps shocked them with our energy and intensity. Looking at their match report, I think they were pretty disappointed with the way they performed, but I also think we were a big contributing factor to that. The boys didn’t let up throughout the game and we really grabbed hold in the second half and refused to let go.’
‘But that game is gone now. We learn and we move on. If we think we’ve cracked it, then we will get a big hiding this weekend. Sidcup RFC had a good start to the season too and beat us soundly in both home and away games when we were in the same division so they will go into the game with confidence.’
And so back to the Paddock factor. Oaks used the Paddock to their advantage every game last season, with Bowman pointing to it regularly as a contributing factor to getting his side over the line in tight fixtures. He sees this season as no different. ‘Like every side, we love playing at home. The Paddock is special, with the balcony full, and the crowd in full voice, it really does make it a great place to play and watch rugby. Not forgetting it’s free to watch as well! We are hoping for it to be really busy on Saturday and hope as many of the local community can come down and give us a cheer in all three games.’
Senior Fixtures | Saturday 14th September 2019
1300hrs Sevenoaks RFC 2nd XV v. Sidcup RFC 2nd XV | Kent Cup
1500hrs Sevenoaks RFC 1st XV v. Sidcup RFC 1st XV | London Premier
1500hrs Sevenoaks RFC Gents v. Vigo RFC | Jim Monks Memorial Match