Bowman's Blog - 10/12/21

Last week saw ‘four from four’ with the Academy winning their league match; the Gents beating Ashford, the 2’s winning at Medway and the 1’s defeating a feisty Tring team away from home. Well done to everyone! Senior fixtures this week will see the Gents travel to Canterbury, the Seconds away to Sidcup for the big Kent Cup semi-final and the Firsts hosting Maidenhead at the Paddock. 

It was a pleasing victory at Cow Lane in Hertfordshire as the Firsts managed the elements well to put in a very strong second half display, having coped well with adverse wind, slope, and blinding sun in the first half.  We now face a tough match against Maidenhead who although sit at the lower end of the league table has had a number of narrow defeats this season. It will be a tough game needing us meet the physical challenge posed and repeat the attacking precision we showed last week. The weather is set to be cold and wet so managing the conditions will again be a key factor.

The Maidenhead game, our last at home before Christmas, sees the completion of the first round of fixtures against all teams in the league. We currently sit 5th in the table, two points separating us from second place. Team selection for Saturday’s game sees Stuart Coleman return to the row, Awa Morris move to 15 with James Fotheringham starting at 12.  Charlie Naismith & Tom Simmons rotate roles, with Charlie starting at tight head and Tom starting from the bench.  Matt Holmes returns from injury and starts from the bench.  We also have a very strong team out for the 2s for the Kent Cup semi-final. 

The players and coaches look forward to doing everything we can to deliver a feast of rugby this weekend. For those who want a break from Christmas shopping, support will be welcome at the Paddock and at Sidcup for the 2s. 

Adam

PS I am delighted to say Emma, me and the boys moved into our new house this week. The house naming discussion has been had and you won’t be surprised to hear ‘Cherry Orchard and ‘Apple Blossom’ were soundly defeated by the more appropriate ‘The Paddock’ 😊

Match Reports 4/5 December, 2021

Strong Oaks performance secures bonus point win

Sevenoaks RFC 2nd XV vs. Medway RFC 2nd XV

Sevenoaks 4th XV (the Gents) vs. Ashford 2XV

Blackheath RFC U18s vs. Sevenoaks RFC Academy 1st XV

Bowman's Blog - 03/12/21

Well, what an exciting set of matches last weekend. A clean sweep of victories with the Gents winning a tight match away at Medway, the Seconds coming from behind to beat Canterbury and the Firsts edging a thriller against league leaders Dorking with the last kick of the game. Enough excitement to keep out the cold ……almost!

The boys have been preparing for this week’s fixtures, which see the Gents hosting Ashford, the Second XV entertaining Medway and the Firsts making the trip to Tring. Oaks remain 5th in London & SE Premier with three fixtures left before Christmas, but our focus is very much on the visit to the attractively named Cow Lane to face a team who are having a strong season themselves, with 7 wins so far. It will be another tough fixture.

Regardless of the fact weather conditions were horrendous last weekend, we were delighted to keep Dorking try-less. Our defence this season has been a great strength (leading the league with less than 12 points conceded per game) and we will need to be on our mettle for this difficult away trip.

Team selection this week sees George Flatman and Josh Baldock start in the pack for Stu Coleman and Sean Derrick. Behind the scrum, Henry Galligan and Ollie Shirtcliff start at 9/10, with Patrick moving to 15. James Fotheringham comes onto the bench after returning from injury.
Just a final word on the support the teams received from the Oaks supporters at the Paddock last weekend. Those who cheered on the Seconds in the biting wind and for the tremendous support that helped us over the line against Dorking (you even get a mention in the Dorking match report!) …thank you. If you can make the short 75 mile trip to Tring that would be appreciated😊

We will do our best to bring as much excitement this weekend, on what looks like being another freezing day of rugby.

This Weekends Rugby!

Match Reports 27/28 November, 2021

Oaks edge league leaders in thriller

Sevenoaks RFC 1st XV & 2nd Academy XV vs. Canterbury RFC U18s

U15s Sevenoaks v Tunbridge Wells Friendly

Saturday done!

Bowman's Blog - 26/11/21

Last weekend saw a fine win for the Seconds away to Canterbury in the Kent Cup with a rest week for the Firsts. Midweek we have been gearing up for a big programme of rugby this Saturday; the Gents travelling to Medway, the Seconds hosting a home fixture rematch against Canterbury, whilst the First XV welcoming table topping Dorking to the Paddock. Having suffered a narrow defeat for the second week in a row when losing to Wimbledon before the break, the Firsts had a well-deserved rest before training hard this week in preparation for what will be a very tough fixture.

I have been very pleased with the commitment shown by the boys, with the players and coaches recognising the outcome of both matches came down to small margins, highlighting areas where we can do better. A Dorking side that is undefeated this season so far presents us with a challenge we look forward to. We have competed well with teams at the top of the league and now just need to reduce our errors in key areas of the pitch and be clinical when try scoring opportunities arise. We know Dorking will look to impose themselves physically, are a very dangerous side with ball in hand, and we have trained and prepared well this week in readiness.

The team selection this week sees Stu Coleman and Fred Richardson return to the starting pack, and Oliver Shirtcliff start from the bench after missing Wimbledon through injury. 

I have always said we need to reach the halfway point in the season before assessing the progress we are making in London & SE Premier, and with many of the teams towards the top of the table playing each other in the coming weeks, we will get a good sense of our potential for the full season by Christmas.

The weather for Saturday looks set to be cold with some chance of sleet and rain, but the pitch is holding up reasonably well, so we are hoping for good try scoring playing conditions for both games at the Paddock. As ever we welcome a vociferous backing from the Oaks faithful and the Firsts and Seconds will do their best to serve up an entertaining afternoon of rugby. Good luck to the Gents on their trip to Medway.

Adam

This Weekends Rugby!

Congratulations Tori! England U20s International Debut

Tori Sellors started her rugby career at Sevenoaks in the U7s and was part of the inaugural girls section. Combining with T.Well to boost numbers, the unified team went on to win the Kent Cup and reached the national finals. As girls rugby continued to grow, Tori found her next squad at Aylesford for U15 and U16s and is now playing at Hartpury College where she is part of their Elite Academy. As a proud member of the England U18s squad, Tori was selected to play for England U20s at London Irish against Springbok Women yesterday!!

SAVE THE DATE!

Match Reports 13/14 November, 2021

Oaks edged out in physical encounter

Medway RFC U16s 7-19 Sevenoaks RFC Academy U16s

Bowman’s Blog - 12/11/2021

We have put the disappointment behind us of last week’s frustrating First XV final moments defeat against North Walsham. Lessons were learned and we have trained well this week to iron out some of the mistakes we made in a game where overall our performance was very good. Congratulations to the Seconds, who faired better with a thumping win at Southend, whilst the Gents unfortunately also suffered a defeat.

This week sees the Firsts visit Wimbledon, with all other sides having a rest weekend.
It seems a long time ago now but our last double header against Wimbledon in the 2019/20 season saw the Oaks First XV heavily beaten away at Barham Road, but gaining a famous bonus point victory in the reverse fixture. That’s all in the past, and what we do know is Wimbledon will present us with a significant challenge, where we must be ready to compete with their strong pack and nullify their pace out wide.

Team news for the Firsts sees Matt Holmes and Drew Narbey-Nimeti come into the squad for Henry Galligan and Fred Richardson. We will aim, with this selection, to play our fast expansive game in the right areas of the pitch, defend with intensity and organisation and maintain our strong set piece execution. It will be a tough game but the boys are determined to avoid a second consecutive defeat.

For the team and our supporters it is another M25 journey, this time 36 miles, with my BBC weather app telling me it will be a dry, mild autumn day. All support is gratefully appreciated. Here’s to a great weekend of rugby.

This Weekends Rugby!

Match Reports 6/7 November, 2021

Oaks edged out in high quality thriller

Academy 1st XV vs. TJs

Leave nothing out there.....

1st XV v North Walsham RFC Match day programme

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

Bowman's Blog - 05/11/21

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!

Match Reports 30/31 October, 2021

Emphatic Oaks win as they shut out local rival

Ours is the A21..... No tries conceded!

Bowman's Blog - 29/10/21

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!