2019 was quite a year for the Sevenoaks RFC seniors. Three titles for the 1s, 2s and 3s as well as a runners up spot for the Gents and a Kent Plate win for the Acorns. Add to that Oaks 1st XV currently sit fifth in London Premier, their highest ever league position.
So the question now, is can Oaks get anywhere near to matching the magnificent achievements of 2019 in 2020?
‘I think we are all agreed that 2019 was a year that will be etched into Oaks history’ said Head Coach Adam Bowman ‘so we would need to go some to match it’.
‘I’ve been delighted with the way the group has applied themselves since the start of the season and indeed even before that in pre-season. The players have really risen to the challenge of a higher level of rugby and to sit fifth at the turn of the year is really pleasing. But we can’t rest.’
Head Coach Adam Bowman looks on in Oaks last home match of 2019 against Tring. Photo Credit David Purday
Indeed the players haven’t been resting. Over the Christmas break, whilst training at the Paddock had been put on hold, the Senior Squad were setting themselves a fitness challenge, which involved a rowing machine, a lot of hard work and sharing their times with the rest of the squad. ‘It’s always a difficult balance’ said Bowman. ‘It’s really important that the players rest and have a break from rugby, but we don’t want them to completely lose their fitness with all the trimmings that are available over the Christmas break. A lot of the guys will do their own gym work but the idea behind the rowing challenge was to keep that competitive spirit up – the squad have really bought into it and we hope that it will help in the next phase of the season.’
The start of 2020 is certainly a tough one for Oaks 1st XV. They welcome Wimbledon RFC this Saturday to the Paddock, who earlier in the season put half a century of points on the Oaks in a fine display of all-court rugby. But with Oaks now settled in the league, Bowman expects the match between his side and Wimbledon to be a different kettle of fish, saying ‘They were red hot that day on a very fast track and I think we were still adjusting to London Premier life. That said, they will still go into the game as significant favourites and will come to the Paddock wanting to get a good win to keep up at the top of the table with Guernsey and Rochford.’
Oaks Daniel Power on the charge in Oaks first home match of 2019 against Hove RFC. Photo Credit: David Purday
‘It’s always interesting at this time of year. Players come back from injury and sides have often changed quite a bit since the first time you play a side. With the game against Sidcup RFC before Christmas cancelled, we are just really keen to get out there and play some rugby after a three week break. We have a few boys that are now back in the mix but they will have to fight their way into the squads.’
The Head Coach continued ‘The start of 2019 showed that a good performance or two can then set you up for the remainder of the season. We put in two really good performances away at Chobham RFC and at home to Hove RFC before then heading away to Brighton and getting a crucial win. I talk a lot about getting the ‘detail’ right in our game and that is what we did so well in tight situations last season. Although London Premier offers new challenges, if we continue to get the detail right and ensure our physicality is there from minute one, then we will cause Wimbledon more problems than we did earlier in the year.’
Sevenoaks RFC 1st XV take on Wimbledon RFC 1st XV in London Premier this Saturday 4th January, with kick off at the Paddock at 2pm.