This Saturday sees the Mighty Oaks First XV play the previously postponed fixture against Blackheath. It is the only match held in the league this weekend as it is a scheduled rest week for National 2 East. This will then bring all teams in the league to the same number of games played, ten.
Last weekend saw the 1s and 2s in action, with satisfying returns. The Seconds delivered an impressive victory at home to Maidstone in front of another good crowd at the Paddock. The Firsts made the long trip to Guernsey to play a wind affected match (‘a game of two halves for sure!’) and earn a 28-28 draw with a try by Jonny Short, who ran the length of the field, on the last play of the game. Two league points secured. Sevenoaks are now on 18 points and sit in twelfth place but with only 4 points separating us from the three teams above. As we find our feet at Level 4 we will be doing everything we can to turn the draws and narrow defeats we have suffered into wins. The margin for error, we are finding, is small !
Saturday will be a special day at The Paddock. No games for the 2s and 3s, but the First XV host Blackheath, a club with a rich pedigree at this and higher levels in National rugby. Probably favourites to be promoted back to National 1, (they have a 7 and 2 record so far this season) we will be expecting a very tough game this weekend. They will present a significant challenge, which we are looking forward to, with their powerful pack and dangerous back line. We will need to be at our best, minimise the error count and take points when opportunities arrive if we are to get something out of the game. It’s been a week of training in soggy conditions but the boys will be ready.
The weather doesn’t look too bad for Saturday so we look forward to the arrival Blackheath and giving them a vociferous Paddock welcome. All support is appreciated. We look forward to seeing you for what we hope will be an exciting match.
COYO
Adam
