As a way to start the new year, Oaks 1st XV performance on Saturday was a pretty good way of seeing in 2020.
A burst of three second half tries in fifteen minutes, which added to the first try just before half time, sealed a bonus point for the home team and gave them a significant 18 point lead over third placed Wimbledon RFC. Yet, for all their attacking endeavours, it was the heart and ferocity in defence that laid the foundations and ultimately got the Paddock boys over the line in a pulsating encounter.
Oaks captain Nigel Gumbleton on the attack against Guildford RFC in the home fixture at the Paddock. Photo Credit: David Purday
‘No doubt Wimbledon will think that they didn’t play to their full potential and missed a number of chances that they should have put away’ said Oaks Head Coach Adam Bowman ‘but I would counter that in some respects and say that we simply didn’t allow them to play. I thought our intent in attack and defence from minute one to eighty was superb and I think it knocked them off their stride. The tackling from us throughout was excellent and then when we had chances, we put them away, particularly off first phase.’
‘We spoke as a group before the match and said that we had to keep improving our performances, particularly after our last outing against Tring RFC. I think the rest over Christmas did us good and we looked sharp – as I said last week, the break had given the boys a chance to work on their fitness and I thought that showed, particularly late in the second half when we were down to 13.’
This weekend sees Oaks 1st XV travel to Guildford RFC, whilst the 2nd XV make the long trip to Bury St Edmunds, a side that Oaks played earlier in the season and won by a single point of 31 to 30. Completing the senior fixtures are the 3rd XV who face the tough task of Snowden RFC away, whilst the Gents provide the entertainment at the Paddock this weekend when they host Whistable RFC 2nd XV.
Oaks outstanding defence laid the foundations for an excellent win against Wimbledon RFC. Photo Credit: David Purday
‘It’s going to be an interesting weekend because there are lots of questions for each side. The question for the 1st XV is whether we can continue at that level and intensity on Saturday against Guildford, whereas the other three sides in action won’t have played rugby for nearly a month, so the challenge for them is to get back into the match scenario. The 2nd XV have a real test away at Bury St Edmunds, who’s 1st XV are in Nat 2 and Snowden is always a huge test, particularly away from home, so the 3rd XV will have their hands full.’
Oaks 1st XV match against Guildford at the Paddock earlier in the season was a tight affair and Bowman expects no different this weekend. Guildford have found the going tough this season, currently occupying bottom spot, but Bowman is quite clear that any complacency will see Oaks going home with their tail between their legs. ‘If we think we are cock of the walk, because of our performance last weekend, then we will get a rude awakening from Guildford. We need to maintain our performance and most importantly our concentration. If we do that, then we will be in with a chance.’