Sutton Winson are a privately owned Chartered Insurance Broker and professional risk advisory business, with offices in London and West Sussex. As well as servicing large multi-national organisations, privately owned SME companies and individuals all over the UK and overseas, Sutton Winson have been looking after the insurance needs of sports clubs for over 30 years.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sutton Winson to the Sevenoaks Rugby Club family and excited for our members to benefit from the excellent insurance & risk services on offer.
Gareth Roberts, Director of Sutton Winson, said: "We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with Sevenoaks Rugby and look forward to supporting their members - whether that be help with arranging insurances or giving back directly to the club through our grassroots initiatives”.
The day has come at last! We are delighted to be playing our first ever Paddock National 2 fixture this Saturday. The pitch has passed inspection and we are looking forward to welcoming fellow Kent rivals Canterbury for what will be a challenging First XV fixture.
The season is now well under way for all of our senior teams, with last week being a tough one with the 1s narrowly defeated at Rocheford, but picking up a bonus point, and the 3s losing to an impressive Beckenham 2s. There was no fixture for the Oaks 2s as disappointingly Westcombe Park was unable to field a team. The Seconds sit proudly at the top of their league at this early stage of the season. They make the short trip to Sidcup on Saturday for their Kent Counties fixture.
The Firsts have had a mixed start to life in National 2 in terms of results, but we are pleased to have secured 11 league points from a possible 25. Performances have been generally good, perhaps with the exception of the away match at Barnes three weeks ago, but we know there is the need for greater consistency, ensuring our error count is low, and most importantly, being clinical in taking points when in scoring positions. If I were to characterise the main differences between this level and London & SE, it is the physicality and how clinical teams are in transition.
It just leaves me to ask for the usual noisy Paddock atmosphere for the game against Canterbury and a good travelling support at Sidcup. It will be an exciting day and we will do everything we can to play good rugby and produce a positive result.
COYO
Adam
A WARM WELCOME TO CANTERBURY RFC
It has been a long wait since February 2002, but we are delighted to welcome everyone involved with Canterbury RFC back to Knole Paddock. Before the advent of Leagues in the late 80s the Canterbury Saturday, involving six sides each, was an integral part of our fixture list and coincidentally always in late October as today.
Formed in 1929 CRFC started out with two sides and a Thursday XV with their first ground in the New Dover Road. They then moved to Merton Lane in 1937 which boasted one pitch and a small hut! Unlike some other clubs, Canterbury kept going during WW2, arranging matches mainly involving military personnel based in and around the city.
After the war, more ground was obtained at Merton Lane, and the clubhouse was built in 1953. These advances predicated success on the pitch, especially in 7-a-side competitions; then a first Kent cup win in 1975 set the seal on the club’s first fifty years.
The advent of leagues came at a bad time for Canters. After several relegations, they found themselves in Kent 2, the bottom division. Then the big revival began in 1991. Sure and steady progress was achieved in the 90s and would have been even more impressive but for RFU officialdom. Halfway through the 99/00 season, it was decided that there would be no promotion that time as the following season leagues would be organised on a home and away basis rather than larger divisions with once only matches. Canterbury finished top but did not get promoted. How would any club feel with that kick in the teeth? If it happened to us, Trevor wouldn’t have written to The Times, he would have got Laura Trott to raise the matter in Parliament!
Canterbury rectified the situation two seasons later and from there reached the heights of Level 3 for a season. They are now a major force to be reckoned with back in Level 4.
The cathedral city club also boasts a highly successful women’s rugby squad which was founded in 1994, an equally thriving wheelchair section started in 2014, and of course mini and junior sections for all ages to adult.
Our league history with Canterbury has involved ten matches to date, with the last one in 2002 as previously noted. The records show some good news and some bad. We lead 6-4 in terms of wins but the For and Against stats are unprintable due to a couple of right royal stuffings we endured down at Merton Lane. We did upset the form book in that Feb ’02 match winning 13-5, after losing 10-83 earlier in the season!
So the pendulum has swung and we find ourselves together again in what we always knew would be a highly competitive division. Both clubs are striving to be the pride of Rural Kent, so we are sure to witness a competitive afternoon.
Howard Pearl
Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:
Barnes v Rochford Hundred Blackheath v Guernsey
Dorking v Bury St Edmunds Tonbridge Juddian v North Walsham
Westcliff v Henley Worthing v Old Albanian
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Canterbury for the first home game at the Paddock this season.
Round 6 of The National League Rugby Review Show will be premiering at 6pm tonight on this link:
https://twitter.com/Natleague_rugby/status/1579850062544670724
Aztech Group, based in Sevenoaks, are a professional arboriculture and forestry contractor covering the Home Counties and London.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "Aztech Group have played a significant role in supporting the club in recent years, we are delighted to be extending the partnership and for all members to continue to be able to benefit from the 15% discount.
Adam Ashworth, Owner of Aztech Group, said: "“It’s a real pleasure to extend our partnership with Sevenoaks Rugby Club. Having sponsored the club for the past few seasons, it has been amazing to see the club go from strength to strength as they work their way up the rugby pyramid. We’re excited to continue our strong relationship with the members at Sevenoaks RFC and also to support the team this season as they take on a new challenge in National 2. Up the Oaks!”
MDM Timber, was established in 1989 as an independent Forest Products Importer and has grown from a "start up" business to today as a major player within the UK Timber industry.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are very pleased to be welcoming MDM Timber to the Sevenoaks Rugby Club family and are incredibly grateful for their support as we continue to grow our playing and support services.
Peter Holmes, Sales Director of MDM Timber said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the "Mighty Oaks" for the first time and it is a pleasure to play a small part in such a successful and well run community club. We wish Adam his team and all the players throughout the club the very best for the season ahead. COYO!"
CHS Networks is an established and expanding IT support services company, providing corporate strength IT managed services to a vast array of businesses in London and the South East. Services include:
A fully managed helpdesk for remote and onsite support
Cloud consultancy and Microsoft solutions
Cyber security solutions and Consultancy, such as Cyber Essentials certifications
Connectivity and Cloud Telephony solutions
CHS Networks are offering all members of Sevenoaks Rugby club the chance to become Cyber Essentials certified for free when taking up a support contract. Whether self-employed or a 50-user business, this is a universally recognised commitment to a good standard of cyber security for your business.
For more information on the Cyber Essentials scheme and what it means for your business, please click on the logo:
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are delighted CHS Networks have extended the partnership for Season 2022/23. We are incredibly grateful for the significant IT upgrade this summer and the ongoing IT support CHS Networks continue to provide the club.”
Neil Schwemm, Managing Director of CHS Networks, said: "We are really excited to be partnering and supporting the club again this year. We always support our local community as much as we can, and as part of our commitment we hope that the planned upgrades, IT services and facilities we are providing to Sevenoaks Rugby Club will go some way to help in their continued success.”
Sevenoaks Medical Centre, part of KIMS Hospital, offers patients fast and convenient appointments with expert consultants and access to a range of facilities for scans, tests and outpatient treatments all within a short distance from their home.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are delighted Sevenoaks Medical Centre have recommitted for Season 2022/23. Sevenoaks Medical Centre has played a significant role in supporting the club in recent years and we are delighted to be extending the partnership.”
Debbie Anderson, General Manager of Sevenoaks Medical Centre, said: "Sevenoaks Rugby Club is an important community partner for Sevenoaks Medical Centre, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with them for another season. We are looking forward to supporting them and all the players throughout the successful season ahead."
To find out more or book an appointment at Sevenoaks Medical Centre, please call 01732 775 800 or email enquiries@kims.org.uk.
Chris Potter Country Sports, based in Tunbridge Wells, are a leading retailer in shotguns, rifles, airguns, country clothing and accessories.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "Chris Potter Country Sports have played a significant role in supporting the club over the last 5 years, we are delighted to be extending the partnership and for all members to continue to be able to benefit from the 15% discount on all clothing, footwear and accessories."
Charles Harris, Owner of Chris Potter Country Sports, said: "We are delighted to continue to support Sevenoaks Rugby football club. Over the last five years we have seen a great improvement in the development of the players, boys and girls, from 5 years old and upwards. A great community club. Good luck to all the teams for the 2022/23 season."
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are delighted to announce Knocker & Foskett as a key sponsor. Sevenoaks Rugby Club and K&F both sit at the heart of the local community and this partnership allows us both to closely support each other’s businesses. Located on Sevenoaks High Street they have a team of solicitors who are proud to provide a personal, high quality and efficient service to both commercial and personal clients.”
Barry Landa, Practice Manager of Knocker & Foskett, said: " The work Sevenoaks Rugby Club carry out in the Sevenoaks and surrounding community is exceptional. When the opportunity arose for Knocker & Foskett to be sponsors of such a well run club we jumped at the chance. We would like to wish all the teams great success for this and the coming seasons."
Dear Members,
Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce a long term partnership with Berkeley.
Berkeley builds homes and neighbourhoods in London, Birmingham and the South of England and are hugely passionate about building quality homes, strengthening local communities and making a positive difference to people's lives.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Berkeley, with their new development Oakhill in Hildenborough soon to be unveiled.
It is an excellent fit and we are really looking forward to working closely together over the next few years."
Yours in rugby,
Sevenoaks Rugby
Henry has completed six epic challenges over the last six months in aid of Meningitis Now - click here to help him hit his target of £5,000 for this worthy cause.
🌊 80-mile, 4-day hike and wild camp in Cornwall
🏴 125km, 2-day Scottish Highlands Ultra-marathon
⛰ 100km, 1-day Ultra-marathon in the Peak District
> Dartmouth Sprint Triathlon in Devon
> 24-hour Ultra-Running Relay at Endure24
🚴🏼♂️ 930 mile Ride Across Britain (Lands End to John O’Groats)
National League Rugby is producing a series of articles designed to explore the different elements which come together to make levels three and four the heartbeat of quality rugby.
In our first article, we highlight why the blend of clubs - from an historic perspective - adds a layer of authenticity and intrigue to National One and Two.
To say the start of the 2022-23 National League Rugby season has ‘exploded into life’ might actually be an understatement.
Teams have flown out of the blocks, produced some dazzling performances and most of all, put on a show for the masses who flock to all corners of the country to absorb rugby at levels three and four.
From Tyndale down to Plymouth Albion, from Preston Grasshoppers across to North Walsham, National League Rugby is already entertaining us and the campaign has barely begun.
What is also noticeable about this year in particular is the concoction of clubs all competing across National One and Two, not just from a geographical point of view, but from an historic perspective.
Teams such as Fylde and Clifton are some of the most established clubs woven into the fabric of National League Rugby. Wharfedale and Stourbridge have been at this level for over two decades whilst many sides have provided the springboard for some of the most successful players in the game.
Arguably though, Blackheath encompass all of these elements. Relegated from National One last term, which ended their 18-year stay in the third tier, they remain one of the cornerstones of National League Rugby and as managing director Russ Ticehurst proudly says, they are the oldest ‘open’ rugby club who were formed in 1858.
He rattles off some notable names who have represented the South-East London side including Fred Stokes, who attended the meeting where the RFU was created, William P Carpmael, the founder, first president and captain of the Barbarians, ex-New Zealand player John Gallagher and Jacquie Edwards - Blackheath Women’s Captain – who played in the Women’s World Cup in 1994.
When professionalism arrived in 1995, Blackheath were a level two side but the loss of financial support and various opportunities meant any newly signed players all departed and the club had to fall back on the safety blanket of the National Leagues.
Since then, Ticehurst has seen it all at ‘Club’. He had two spells as a player, and coached the mini and junior section for eight years before taking on the role of chairman and now managing director.
Striving to be the best has never been lost on one of the most historic clubs in the sport but since the Covid-19 pandemic, the bigger picture and stability has been a major focus of Ticehurst’s and Blackheath’s.
“The post-Covid review made us look at the “risk and reward’ on offer with 1st XV promotion from National One,” says Ticehurst. “We could see the risk but we were struggling to match that up with the reward.
“Every club, and particularly Blackheath, has aspirations and a desire to play rugby at the highest possible level but we must settle where our finances put us for the time being.
“Sadly, we could not avoid relegation last season, but in the meantime, what has come from our decisions is a thriving mini and junior section, girls section, a reinvigorated Women's and Men’s section and we are all looking forward to playing for ‘Club’ this season and beyond.”
That sense of community and growing from within is reinforced time and time again across the National Leagues and newcomers Newport (Salop) can relate to Blackheath when it comes to this mantra.
Despite there being 89 years between the two clubs, they share similar values and are now playing at the same level, albeit in different leagues. This just highlights how diverse and unique the National Leagues truly are.
On their way to promotion in 2021-22, Newport’s squad included 15 players who have played in the club’s junior or Colts’ teams or who are longstanding players. Six of the squad have accumulated 100 games or more for the 1st XV.
During their rise to National Two West, Newport have never veered away from their ethos; ‘Community, Pride, Passion’ and the Shropshire outfit have their pens at the ready to write the latest chapter in their history.
“Everyone is absolutely buzzing”, says chairman Peter Maher. “I always think with a rugby club that the first team sets the tone. We always felt we were part of an important rugby club, but now our name is on the map. We are travelling nationally and it is just brilliant to see us on this stage.
“It is also often being said to me that having a first team playing at National League level would be a diversion from our values. I think it is quite the opposite.
“I think it brings everyone together in the club and brings a focus. It gives people an aspirational target and it is just raising the bar for everybody at the club in terms of performance, and giving us a real identity. We are excited for the journey.”
Maher says Newport is still a growing town of around 15 to 16,000 people. With the rugby club at the heart of its community, many residents will be excited by the adventures which lie ahead this season and that emotional attachment can apply to all 56 teams who have their own stories to tell up and down the land.
Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Dorking for the first home game of the season.
We are playing at Sevenoaks School on Saturday 24 September at 3.00pm.
A WARM WELCOME TO DORKING RFC
It’s another warm welcome to everyone involved with Dorking RFC, our feisty opponents from along the A25. Even those of us with short memories will surely be able to hark back to last season’s two epic struggles between the boys with the cockerel badge and The Oaks. Scores of 8-6 and 35-29 to SRFC indicate the closeness of the matches with both results hinging on vital actions and decisions right at the very end of each game.
The fact that both teams fully earned their eventual promotion is a testament to the quality of rugby served up in both matches last term. We look forward to another chapter that is developing into a keen rivalry between two ambitious and committed clubs.
Dorking RFC was formed four years before us in 1921 and played good social rugby until 1940. They re-established themselves in 1946 and grew rapidly from then on, now playing in the nearby village of Brockham under a long lease tenancy from The National Trust.
The really ancient Oaks alickadoos will remember that the Dorking fixture was for many years our first of the season and of course we played down the club with at least five sides from each club always involved. The advent of the leagues eventually put paid to that tradition; the last of those “pipe openers” was in 1996.
Before our promotion to Level 5 leagues matches had been few, in fact just seven such occasions. We came together in Level 6 (Named London 2 South then) three times from 1997/98 when clubs played each other just once a season. In fact, the 99/00 season was the last of that type, with the home and away system taking over in 00/01. We met up again in 07/08; this was a poor season for us as we were relegated, and our paths did not cross again as Dorking moved on up and eventually scaled the heights of Level 4 with some successful seasons there. However, the pendulum swings for all clubs and we met again in 19/20, having progressed to Level 5.
Another close encounter is on the cards with both clubs looking to consolidate their positions in the National Leagues. That being so we look forward to more friendly rivalry in ensuing seasons.
Howard Pearl
Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:
Bury St Edmunds v Westcliff Canterbury v Blackheath
Guernsey v North Walsham Henley v Barnes
Old Albanian v Tonbridge Juddian Rochford Hundred v Worthing
This week has been a week of recovery for the senior squad, after bruising encounters that brought mixed results. The First XV travelled to Worthing and came away with two losing bonus points, ending up on the wrong side of a tight match with the home team winning 32-27. The Second XV faced Gillingham Anchorians at the Paddock, running out comfortable 35-0 victors. The Thirds won 52-14 against Aylesford Bulls.
Even at this early stage of the season we are seeing how the attritional and competitive nature of the leagues we are in, will test our strength in depth. Injuries are part of the game, and we will need to accept them and draw on the wide group of players we have.
This weekend sees the reverse to last, with the Firsts at home and the Seconds and Thirds away. The 2s travel to Hastings and Bexhill for their Counties 2 Kent match, whilst the 3s make the trip to local rivals Medway for their Invicta fixture.
The Paddock faithful will, I am sure, extend a warm welcome to our opponents this Saturday, Dorking. Last season saw two epic London and SE matches between Oaks and our visitors; the home match was a slug in the mud whilst the game at The Big field was by many accounts the best match of the season in the that league. Whilst we were delighted to win both games by narrow margins, we know they could have gone either way. Dorking has made a good start to the season, beating our last opponents Worthing at home, Barnes (our next away fixture) but losing to National 2 East favourites Blackheath. We know Dorking have a powerful pack and move the ball quickly at every opportunity, so we will need to be at our best to secure a positive result.
At this early stage in the season, it is pleasing to have 7 points from two games, but we know it is vital to keep picking up points in every match. The league results are showing how the teams in the league are pretty evenly matched, so concentration and a low error count in games will often be the deciding factor.
We are all very excited to be hosting our first ever National 2 East game at the Paddock this weekend. The pitch has been treated so we are very hopeful the game will go ahead. We are fully booked for lunches and are expecting a noisy crowd for what should be a great contest. We look forward to seeing you there or at the away games.
COYO
Adam
The Athlete Media Group is a leading sports marketing agency representing elite British & international athletes with a current portfolio of 48 athletes in 30 sports, who are a unique blend of Olympic medallists, world champions, World Cup winners, world record holders, rising stars & retired sports people. AMG works with these athletes to help them build their personal brands, enhance their media profiles and establish strong business partnerships to support their careers in sport & beyond.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are thrilled to be partnering with The Athlete Media Group and believe this partnership is an ideal fit, playing a significant role in supporting our aspiring and rising athletes.
Mark Middlemas, CEO & Founder of The Athlete Media Group, said: "“I am delighted to partner AMG with the Mighty Oaks. Sevenoaks RFC is a thriving rugby club with brilliant players at all levels, strong values & a hugely loyal fan base & I look forward to working with Adam Bowman & his formidable team.”
5PA, based in London, are a leading Chartered Architectural Practice specialising in large scale, high-rise residential & mixed use development projects across London & the home counties.
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering and welcoming 5PA Architects to the Sevenoaks Rugby Club family. The partnership will play a key role in supporting the growth of our rugby playing and support services across all playing sections of the club.”
Sid Satrettin, Founder and Owner of 5PA Architects, said: "It’s great to be associated with the club and we wish you luck for the forthcoming season. Come On You Oaks!"