Sevenoaks utilises squad depth to secure win
U18s Sevenoaks & Crimsons v Old Alleynians
Our good friends and local rivals Sidcup RFC weren’t the only competition Sevenoaks RFC senior squad faced this weekend! Despite Covid doing its best, we only lost 14 players to the virus last week, so it was unable to complete a full team of our players itself, even lead by our Director of Rugby! Needless to say, our senior squad players and management stepped up to deliver strong performances against tough opposition in both games.
We were honoured to put on a worthy performance for Judge J Blackett, President of the RFU and his lovely wife Sally - we hope they both enjoyed the afternoon and we look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future - wear the tie with pride!
M Wooldridge (Oaks President), Judge J Blackett (President RFU), R Horner (Oaks Honorary Life Member, President RFU 2003-2004), Sally Blackett, T Nicholson (Oaks Chairman)
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Sidcup again at The Paddock on Saturday 22 January at 2pm.
Last Saturday we were able to celebrate excellent victories for both the 1s and 2s, at Havant and Tonbridge Juddians respectively, whilst commiserating with the Gents who were defeated down in Dover. The Seconds can also claim great credit for keeping TJs to ‘nil’ on the scoreboard along the way. Down on the 4G pitch in Hampshire the boys dished up some great running rugby to comfortably overcome a good Havant team. Well done to everyone and for the travelling supporters cheering us on at both matches.
Well, what can I say about this week? Writing this from my own Covid sickbed I am afraid, we have had a number of players, coaches and support staff succumb to the virus since Sunday. Our best wishes go to everyone of course. Consequently, we were forced to cancel training on Tuesday but are doing everything we can to field two teams for this Saturday’s visit of our local rivals Sidcup RFC. Both the Firsts and Seconds had tough fixtures against ‘Cup in then autumn, coming out with good victories. That said we know these games are always a challenge and the Sidcup Firsts have won their last three games and sit 8th in the league table.
In terms of selection for Saturday, given Covid and injuries there will obviously be a number of changes to both teams, with starter and positional decisions being left to as late as possible. This is the the time we can benefit from having a deep squad of senior players, with a great deal of talent still available. You will forgive me if I don’t set out the First XV team in this blog as usual, because as I write this …… I don’t know what it is😊
Last week’s Firsts victory cemented 3rd place in the league table, closing to 4 points from top slot, held by Dorking. Obviously, this week’s match against a powerful Sidcup team will be difficult but whoever plays will be well-prepared, doing everything we can make it six wins in a row. Conditions look dry for the weekend so please do come down to support both teams for their 2pm kick offs.
Keep well.
Adam
Oaks show flair and resilience in excellent 5-point away win
Thanet Wanderers RFC U18 vs. Sevenoaks RFC Academy 1st XV
Sevenoaks RFC Academy U16B vs. Beckenham RFC U16B - Kent Cup fixture
I am sure Oak’s supporters, like all players and coaches, were pleased to get back to rugby last week. We were delighted to see wins from the First and Second XVs against CS Stags 1863 and Bournemouth respectively, whilst the Gents suffered a defeat and a tough day at the office at Thanet. It was difficult weather conditions for all, but some great Rugby was played.
This week’s fixtures see the Firsts make the long journey to face a very good Havant team, the Seconds meet Tonbridge Juddians and the Gents play Dover. All very competitive matches, the boys will need to be at their best to get a result.
The Havant match will take place on their 4G pitch which is likely to make the game a free flowing affair, which will suit the style of play our 1st XV like to play. However we know it will be a battle, with the match earlier in the season at The Paddock a good indicator, with Oaks running out 22-7 winners. We will need to do the basics well on Saturday and compete with a strong Havant pack. It is always a good trip down to Hampshire, with the hosts offering a warm welcome off the pitch but a real challenge on it! We are pleased to be getting some of our injured players back, close to first team readiness but still have a deep squad to choose from for both matches. A strong team will be out at Tonbridge, whilst the Firsts team news sees Matt McRae, Matt Holmes, and Josh Livett return to the starting lineup, and Adam King onto the bench for his first cap after impressiving in the 2nd XV.
The Firsts currently sit 3rd in the London & SE Premier league, although North Walsham, 4 points behind, have played one game less than Oaks. It will be a fascinating week with the top 2 teams playing each other, but we need to focus on our own fixture to keep the pressure on those ahead of us in the league.
With the journey down to Hampshire a mere 87 miles 😊 all support will be appreciated by the boys. Alternatively for a match closer to home, the Seconds would be delighted to see you at Tonbridge to cheer them on against our local rivals.
Adam
Following hot on the heels of RFU CEO Bill Sweeney before Christmas, Sevenoaks RFC proudly looks forward to next weekends lunch and welcoming His Honour Jeff Blackett, President of the RFU and his wife Sally. Sevenoaks is one of many clubs in Kent that work tirelessly to develop grass roots rugby, with many of our current 1st XV players able to trace their route to our premier team from the mini and junior section, something the RFU is keen to support and develop. In this tough covid environment, Sevenoaks continues to develop our mini and junior provision whilst delivering first class training and development of our academy and senior squads. To be able to show this to the leaders of the RFU is an exceptional opportunity.
We look forward to many more years of the ‘One Club’ ethos.
Comfortable win for Oaks to start 2022
Medway RFC U18s vs. Sevenoaks RFC Academy 2nd X
Sevenoaks & Colfes U18s vs. Beckenham
U15 Girls Sevenoaks vs. East Kent Viragos
Happy New Year All. Welcome back to rugby! I hope you all had a good break and, like all of us at the club, are looking forward to the action resuming.
Having seen our last games before the holidays cancelled (all fixtures across the leagues were postponed) it is great to be back. The players will have had a good period of rest and we resumed training this week to get any festive ,”rustiness” out of the system.
This Saturday we see The Gents away to Thanet and the Firsts playing CS Stags 1863. The Seconds this week are away and playing Bournemouth RFC, which is set to be an exciting challenge.
Sitting 4th in the league the First XV will has a tough challenge against CS. Although our visitors are struggling this season they have some good players and as I have said many times, there are no easy games in London SE Premier. We will need to be at our best and come out of the blocks quickly for what is our first game in a month.
As we enter the second half of the season, we know we are in a strong place to compete for a high finishing position in the league but will (cliche alert!) be taking each game as it comes.
The weather doesn’t look that good for Saturday, with rain likely and a sticky pitch probable but the boys will do their best to serve up another entertaining game. All support is welcome, giving you the first real opportunity to break that attempted ‘dry January’ 😃
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on CS Stags 1863 for the first match of the new year at The Paddock on Saturday 8 January at 2pm.
As 2021 draws to a close, we reflect on how far we have come as a club over the preceding years, standing on the efforts of those that have come before us and looking to the future and how we can continue to evolve our offering both in terms of rugby but also as a community function, standing together with a common theme allowing us to all be there for each other.
The success we have seen over the last 5 years, from introducing U5s to expanding our senior squad and the training provision provided to all, both male and female, has allowed us to stay at the forefront of rugby and its offering as a truly team sport. As we drop our shoulders and drive through to 2022, we hope to bring further developments and enhance our offering further. As an amateur club, Sevenoaks aims to be as professional as we can be, striving to deliver the best rugby experience we possibly can, to make you, our members, players, parents and supporters, the best we can all be - we are a direct reflection of you all and we thank you for that.
Onwards and upwards!
Yours in rugby,
Michael Wooldridge, President of Sevenoaks Rugby Club
Post match interview from Nov 2016 below, highlighting the path Sevenoaks was taking and continues to follow!
Dear Members and Supporters,
With regret, we are having to postpone this weekend’s matches against Westcombe Park for the 1st and 2nd XV due to a number of covid cases with the squads, both at Sevenoaks and Westcombe Park. The rescheduled matches will be played on 5th February, 2022, by agreement with Westcombe Park and no penalties in league points for either side.
We have also taken the difficult decision to cancel Saturdays Carols event at the Club.
Yours in rugby,
Sevenoaks Rugby Club
Convincing bonus point win for Oaks
Chobham RFC U16s vs. Sevenoaks RFC Academy U16s
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Maidenhead for the first time at The Paddock on Saturday 11 December at 2pm.
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’ 😊
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
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.
