Oaks edged out in high quality thriller
Academy 1st XV vs. TJs
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on North Walsham at The Paddock this Saturday 6th November at 2.30pm
Well what a weekend that was! The senior squad fully deserved their celebrations after the 119 points scored in the First and Second XVs ‘A21 derby games. Great team and individual performances all round.
However on Sunday we quickly turned our attention to the week ahead, with 3 tough Saturday fixtures seeing the Gents travel to Cranbrook, the Seconds to Soutend and the Firsts welcoming North Walsham. The 2s currently sit top in the league whilst the 1s consolidated their third place position.
For the FIrst XV, we face a strong and in form North Walsham team who are a well coached squad. Their 270 mile round trip to visit the Paddock will bring a team who sit 4th in the league with 6 wins and 2 defeats, averaging over 30 points scored per game. We are expecting a tough encounter against a very good team, who will move the ball about and have a well oiled set piece.
Headline team news sees the return of Callam Hall, Greg Langridge, Matt Holmes (back from injury) and Will Chenery to the Seconds, with the Firsts making a couple changes from last week, drafting in Gilbert Taoho (his last home game) and Tommy Morris to the squad. The 1s are now entering an important series of matches, playing the 3 teams occupying the other top 4 places. However it would be a mistake to look too far ahead to the Wimbledon and Dorking games, so we have very much kept our focus this week on the visit of North Walsham.
We extend a warm Paddock welcome to our far -travelled opponents and look forward to the usual noisy supporters encouragement for the Oaks. The boys really appreciate it.
Good luck to all Oaks teams this bonfire weekend, when we will do all we can to deliver fireworks on the pitch too!
Emphatic Oaks win as they shut out local rival
Last weekend was another great one for the club. The First XV cemented third place in the London & SE league with a good win at Sutton & Epsom, The Seconds won away at Medway, and both Academy teams chalked up wins with the Firsts in the National Cup. Well done to all involved.
We now face a big week ahead of us as both the First and Second XVs prepare for the short trip to Tunbridge Wells. The players always relish this local derby knowing it will be a tough contest with a victory over our nearest of rivals, if earned, particularly sweet.
Squad preparation this week will build on all of the good elements of last week’s performances, but also looking for improvement with the Firsts in particular concentrating on discipline and reducing what was a heavy penalty and yellow card count arounds the tackle area at Sutton & Epsom.
Inevitably at this time of the season we begin to see injuries with Josh Pettet joining Nigel Gumbleton as a long term absentee. We will also be without Jack Nay for one more week, a concussion protocol following a collision against Brighton. Also with Ryan Hackett injuring his knee against S&E, we once again see the importance of squad depth. Changes to the team to play Tunbridge Wells will see the return of George Flatman to the bench, with Sean Derrick starting at 8. The back line this week sees Shadyn Osgood come into the squad to start at 13, Awa Morris moving to the wing, Jonny Short set to make an impact from the bench, and Drew Forrester dropping to the 2nd XV.
The Senior Squad are building momentum nicely as the season progresses. There are some key season defining fixtures in November and December but you all know I like a good sports cliche, so we WILL be taking one game at a time……. and that game is Tunbridge Wells! All support will be welcome as you zip down the A21 and hunt for a parking space near St Marks Recreation Ground.
An exciting weekend ahead!
Hard fought bonus point win for Oaks
Round 2 of the RFU U18 National Cup
Academy U16Bs host Warlingham
Bowman’s Weekly Blog
22nd October 2021
After such pleasing results for the for the 1s and 2s, last week, we have another important and exciting set of fixtures this coming Saturday. With home rugby viewing brought to you by The Gents, versus Deal and Betteshanger (all support welcome), and both Senior Squad sides travelling away, with the 1st XV playing Sutton & Epsom and the 2nd XV playing Medway. The side to face our Kent rivals will be a strong one again, all be it injuries to the 1st XV have created opportunities for those who played well in the 2nd XV last week to step up for the S&E game. It is a long season, and a deep competitive squad of senior talent is essential for us to achieve our objectives for the season.
The fixture for Oaks against Sutton & Epsom will be the first league meeting between the two sides since 2006/7. Our opponent have recently played at National 2 level so we can expect a real challenge from them and need to be at our best if we are to continue our excellent run of consecutive victories. The 50-3 defeat of Brighton Blues last week did come at a cost. Injuries to Josh Pettet and Jack Nay and with Tommy Morris away mean we have had to make some personnel changes to the pack, drafting in the experienced Stuart Coleman and Sam Nicholls into the row, and Fred Richardson starts in the back row. The starting backline remains unchanged, and we continue to rotate the 17 & 18 shirts to maintain a players conditioning levels. With Sean Derrick returning from injury and Drew Forrester replacing Josh Livett on the bench. Saturday’s weather looks reasonable so we would hope to impose our game on S&E, a team we know is very strong at home.
Momentum is building nicely as we approach an important set of pre-Christmas fixtures that, by the break, will see us having played all teams in the league at least once. Currently sitting third in the 1st XV league and first in the 2nd XV league is pleasing but only when we reach the halfway point in the season will we be able to assess our expectations for the full year. Important we focus on the task in hand, one game at a time, but what is certain is this squad of men will give everything each week to achieve our objectives.
We hope the usual carloads of Oaks supporters will make the journey to the aptly named Rugby Lane. Google Maps says 27 miles in 45 minutes. What can possibly go wrong on the M25 on a Saturday? J.
Best of luck to all our teams.
Adam
Please find attached the flyer 'Ask The Expert' Dementia Event on the 11th November at the Bat & Ball Community Centre, Sevenoaks at 6pm. This is a free event.
The panel of experts includes,
Jane Pritchard - Consultant Admiral Nurse - The Good Care Group,
Grahame Hardy - Specialist Nurse for Dementia - Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust ,
Gail Hall - Warners Law - Solicitor SFE - Expert in Power of Attorney, Court of Protection issues and deputyship
Lynne Gadsden - Grovewood Wealth SJP - Financial Advisor SOLLA - Expert in later life financial planning and funding care ,
Jackie Cooper - Occupational Therapist - The Good Care Group,
Elaine Murray - Community Ambassador The Good Care Group and Chair/Trustee Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community Charity.
Kieron Brennan - Director All About Home Care and Treasurer/Trustee Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community Charity.
Cllr Diane Esler - Chairman of Sevenoaks District Council - TBC
Cllr Lesley Dyball - Portfolio Holder people and places - TBC
We aim to tell a story of the fundamental things to consider, how to address concerns, the importance of planning before a crisis and how to access support - for those who are worried about dementia, who have been diagnosed with dementia and for families who are supporting.
There will also be time for questions to the panel.
Ruthless Oaks make it five consecutive wins
Sevenoaks RFC Academy 1st XV vs. Aylesford Bulls RFC U18s
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on our south coast rivals at The Paddock this Saturday 16 October at 3pm.
Old Reigatians RFC U18s vs. Sevenoaks RFC Academy 1st XV
Brentwood Tournament Victors
