Bowman's Blog - 06/01/23

Happy New Year All

Rugby is back after the Christmas break (and the weather interruption in December). The whole club is very excited to be playing again, with all three senior sides in action this weekend. The 2s and 3s are both away at local rivals Tunbridge Wells and Old Dunstonians respectively; whilst the 1s welcome Worthing to The Paddock. The weather has been pretty soggy over the past week or so, so fingers crossed 🤞 all games are on. The December cancellations in truth came at a good time, giving a number of players the chance to recover from injuries.

We resume with the Seconds sitting pretty at the top of Counties 2 Kent league (having played a game more than Dover and Canterbury 2s) with an impressive 10 wins. The First team entered the break in 10th place in National League 2 East, slightly adrift from Guernsey and Bury St Edmunds above. The Oaks head a posse of 5 teams who may end up battling to remain in the league…… but early days. We certainly feel we have enough to stay in the league but as I have said before, we must take our chances at this level, knowing the opposition probably will.

We welcome Worthing who sit in 5th place in the league with 8 wins and 4 losses to The Paddock, remembering our early season match in deepest Sussex. It was fierce contest where we really imposed our physicality but one or two errors led to a tough to take narrow defeat. We know what to expect and will be ready to compete with a very good team.

I look forward to seeing a big (non-dry January) crowd at the weekend, as well as hoping some of you can support the 2s and 3s. Let’s start the new year with a good performance and hopefully a win.

COYO

Adam

Pearl's Corner - 06/01/23

A WARM WELCOME TO WORTHING RFC

Like ships passing in the night, we play against some clubs only periodically as promotion, relegation and divisional realignments force moves up and down the leagues.

Worthing RFC is one such club for us, so we are delighted to welcome back everyone associated with The Raiders after a 20 year absence from Plymouth Drive.

Our West Sussex visitors started life in 1920 (a belated congratulations for their 100th anniversary) with no clubhouse, hardly any equipment, and the use of a farmer’s meadow for a pitch.  After seven seasons and two productive moves, they settled at Castle Road, in the centre of their town, for over 45 years, within which the usual WW2 interruption occurred.

As rugby’s popularity increased in the 70s, especially with the onset of mini and more junior rugby, the need for expanded facilities became paramount.  So the big move from Castle Road, now unrecognisable with houses taking over, to Roundstone Lane in the adjacent village of Angmering was finalised in the second half of that decade.  The new pavilion, looking out on six pitches, was opened in 1977 by the legendary Dickie Jeeps and since then the Raiders have gone from strength to strength.  The club is now officially designated as the Centre of Excellence for Sussex Rugby.

As noted regarding previous visitors to Knole Paddock, it was only the introduction of leagues in 1987 that gave clubs the opportunity and desire to play matches beyond the usual local opposition.  Our first encounter with Worthing was in September ’95.  In those early seasons the divisions, while made up of 13 teams, were played on a once-only basis rather than home and away.  We made the (then) long journey down to the South Coast and came away with a 23-23 draw.  The following season, with the divisions organised on the same basis, we triumphed 37-24 on the way to one of our promotions.  Then following Worthing’s own promotion we locked horns again in 02/03, this time playing home and away.  This time Worthing were the victors both times while on their way to a second successive promotion. 

Now 20 seasons later we meet up again and at two levels above our last encounter.  The earlier match this September was a close affair with Worthing prevailing 32-27.  We look forward to today’s intriguing fixture and to many more meetings in the coming seasons.       

Howard Pearl

Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:

Bury St Edmunds v Tonbridge Juddian                  Canterbury v Westcliff

Dorking v Barnes                                                  Guernsey v Henley

Old Albanian v North Walsham                             Rochford Hundred v Blackheath

1st XV v Worthing RFC Match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Worthing for the first time in 20 years.

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1st XV v Tonbridge Juddians RFC Match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on TJs for the first time in 12 years.

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Bowman's Blog - 09/12/22

Two more fixture weekends left before the Christmas break, with all three senior sides in action this Saturday. The 1s face local rival Tonbridge Juddians at The Paddock, while the 2s and 3s travel away to Gillingham Anchorians FIrst XV and Old Colfieans Seconds XV respectively.

Last weekend delivered a mixed outcome for the squad, with an excellent win for the Seconds against Dover, seeing them return to the top of the Counties 2 Kent League. However the Firsts were on the wrong end of the result in a high scoring match away at North Walsham. Unfortunately, having made the long trip to Norfolk, it was probably our least impressive performance of the season against a team below us in the league. It goes to reinforce the point that at this level we just cannot have a matchday where we are not 100% on our game. We gave away easy tries through sloppy defending and credit to Walsham for taking advantage. I was pleased we showed our grit with a try to secure a bonus point with the last play of the game. Every point will count in this league. 

This weekend will offer the Firsts a very stern test. TJs are an experienced team, with an 8 and 4 record this season taking them to 6th in the league; with some impressive results against teams at the top of the table. That said, we know we can compete with them but must show the intensity and concentration we demonstrated in the Henley home win two weeks ago. It is exciting to welcome TJs who were playing in National 1 only a year ago.

It’s going to be a chilly one this Saturday but what better way of warming  yourselves than shouting on The Oaks at The Paddock. Your support is really appreciated by the boys. Of course there is the small matter of the round ball game match at 7pm, so we hope many of you will stay on at the club to enjoy a great atmosphere.
COYO
Adam

Pearl's Corner - 09/12/22

A WARM WELCOME TO TONBRIDGE JUDDIAN RFC

According to the AA Route Planner, it is a 17 minutes journey of 7.2 miles between The Paddock and The Slade but, until recently, a near continental divide in rugby terms between The Oaks and TJs.

It is with much anticipation and pride that once again, after a 12 year hiatus, we can host our most local rugby friends and rivals for a 1st XV match.  All our other teams, from 2nd XV down to the Under 6s have locked horns over the ensuing seasons, so it’s not as though we don’t know each other well.  With that recent history in mind, we extend the warmest welcome to everyone involved with Tonbridge Juddian RFC.

Right from our formation in 1925, we had strong ties with Tonbridge, whose own history goes back to 1904. Our association with Old Juddian, formed in 1928, was more recent, beginning in the early 70s.  The merger between these two clubs, thus becoming Tonbridge Juddian RFC, was achieved in 1999.

Prior to the unification, their own local friendly rivalry was intense, compounded by the fact that they both played side by side on the Tonbridge Recreation Ground, or “over the hedge” as they put it.  With an approximate 25 years gap between their births, they combined their Jubilee celebrations in 1954 and again 10 years later.

When Leagues began in 1987, OJs were placed in a higher division than Tonbridge, but the town club had its Clubhouse in Avebury Avenue and immediate access to the Recreation Ground. OJ s moved from the school to The Slade in 1995, by which time the Tonbridge Clubhouse was looking decidedly rickety, to say the least.  When the two clubs merged the proceeds from the sale of the Clubhouse were used to develop The Slade and town rugby in general.

After some seasons of smoothing out after the merger, TJs decided to pursue higher status and brought in top notch semi-professional talent.  Promotions were inevitable and the ambition to achieve National League status was achieved in 2015.  One further step up the ladder to Level 3 was gained in 2020.  Now back in Level 4, TJs continue as a force to be reckoned with.

Our Leagues record against the merged TJs is won 4 and lost 5, with the last match played at The Slade in February 2010.  For added spice to our rivalry, we contest the Crum-Ewing Rugby Ball Trophy.  The winner is the team with the highest points aggregate after the two matches in the season.  The Oaks last won it in 2005, but lost out when the clubs met again in 2010.  The trophy resides safely with TJs, but wouldn’t it be good to see that little ball back at SRFC?   

Howard Pearl

Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:

Barnes v Old Albanian                                Bury St Edmunds v  Guernsey                

Canterbury v Henley                                   Dorking v Westcliff

Rochford Hundred v North Walsham           Worthing v Blackheath

1st XV v Henley RFC Match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Henley for the first time at the Paddock.

View fullsize

Bowman's Blog - 25/11/22

Well, last weekend showcased the fantastic development of Sevenoaks Rugby Club over recent years. We were excited to host Blackheath for a first ever full league match; in National 2, and on the Sunday we fielded a ladies team away to Edenbridge. Both results went against us I am afraid but the progress the club is making right across the board is very exciting. Let’s not forget the Acorns also played against Lordswood, losing narrowly.

This weekend sees a full set of fixtures with the 3s at home to Tunbridge Wells Seconds, the 2s away to Vigo and the 1s playing Henley at The Paddock.
Last weekend’s match for the Firsts was the ‘catch up’ game from the earlier cancelled fixture, so there was no movement in the second half of the league table. Oaks remain on 18 points, 4 places behind Henley who has won 6 and lost 4 of their National 2 games this season. They have had some very impressive results this year, with their defeats all being narrow ones.
We expect another tough day at the office! What did we learn last week against the best team in the league ? Leading at half time but ending up conceding a hatful of tries in the final quarter reminds us we need to maintain the intensity and skill levels needed throughout 80 minutes. We know we can compete at this level and we certainly gave Blackheath a tough game for 60 minutes. That said, the boys know we need to improve, despite a great effort last Saturday.
This weekend looks set to be mainly dry on match day so please come down to support the teams. We had over 300 supporters through the turnstile (well it’s a folding table actually😀), eating, drinking and watching good rugby. We will do our best to serve up an entertaining feast again.

COYO
Adam

PS A reminder we are keen to hear from more women who want to join Sevenoaks Rugby😊

Pearl's Corner - 25/11/22

A WARM WELCOME TO HENLEY RFC

The London Bus simile is in action.  This is our third consecutive home match when we can give a warm Knole Paddock welcome to yet another club brand new to our fixture list. So again, we are delighted to be the hosts for this first ever match against Henley Hawks.

Henley also just happen to be the 100th different club we have played against in League competition since it all started in September 1987.  No prizes for trying to guess all the names, but it reflects our ascension from Level 9 many seasons ago to our present National Leagues standing.

Old Henleiensians (yes I’ve double checked and that is the right spelling!), was formed in 1930 because recent alumni wanted to continue playing rugby after school.   Competitive matches were played up to WW2 when the club disbanded but then reformed in 1954, for the same reason as previously.  Then, as with several other Old Boys clubs they went “open” in 1963 and changed their name to Henley – probably much to the relief of other clubs’ fixture secretaries and spell checkers.  All this coincided with their big move to Dry Leas where they have resided ever since.

Henley started League life in South West 2, equivalent to Level 6.  Then, in 1990 a certain Clive Woodward took over the coaching role, with almost instant results. Promotion was gained in 1992 and again in 1994 to achieve National Leagues status.  After Woodward departed to pursue his ambitions, two further promotions were gained to land them in Allied Dunbar 2, now The Championship.  

As they moved up the RFU pyramid, in 1997 The ”Hawks” monicker was added to their name which the club have kept and celebrated for the last 25 years.

The Hawks’ final break with The Championship was in 2005 and since then they have oscillated between Levels 3 and 4, including four consecutive seasons in which they were relegated and promoted twice each.  This is now The Hawks’ sixth season on the trot in Level 4 and again they are proving to be doughty opposition against all comers.

So The Oaks face another stern test, but other clubs’ website comments show that we are being noticed for our own durability.  An intriguing Level 4 match between the established and the newcomer awaits.    

Howard Pearl

Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:

Barnes v Bury St Edmunds                         Blackheath v Westcliff

Canterbury v Old Albanian                          Dorking v North Walsham 

Rochford Hundred v Guernsey                    Worthing v Tonbridge Juddian   

Bowman's Blog - 18/11/22

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

Pearl's Corner - 18/11/22

A WARM WELCOME TO BLACKHEATH FC

Yes, albeit slightly delayed, we are at last delighted to host a league fixture against one of the best known clubs in the rugby world.  Blackheath are in the running for promotion back to National 1 come April, so let us make the most of what could well be a unique occasion today and give a traditional warm Knole Paddock welcome to everyone involved with “The Club”. 

Not only is Blackheath FC the oldest independent rugby club in existence, but also its representatives have played a significant part in the development of our game locally, nationally, and on an international basis.  Blackheath and the Rectory Field hosted the first England v Wales match in 1881 and continued such hospitality until the cabbage patch at Twickenham took over in 1907.

They may have slipped from the pinnacle of the game in recent seasons but how many other clubs can boast an international list of upwards of 250 players while on the books of this world-famous side? Such luminaries as CB Fry and Andrew Stoddart leap out from that long list and, of course, Micky Skinner’s name is still a byword for unadulterated passion, commitment, and “munching” the oppo.  He only lives round the corner and his sons have all worn the blue and gold for The Oaks.  It will be great to see him here today, maybe with divided loyalties.

This match is on our fixture list thanks to our 21/22 wonder season and Blackheath’s litany of close losses last term; surely 15 losing bonus points in 28 matches must be some sort of record, albeit an unenviable one. By reputation, The Club deserves to be higher up the RFU pyramid and we wish them well apart, of course, from the match today and the return fixture on 17th December.

Our paths have crossed in Cup matches.  We have met twice in the Kent Cup, losing 13-26 in 1995 and 17-42 in 2005.  However, one of our legendary wins occurred in the National Trophy competition in 1999 when we overturned a strong Blackheath XV 41-40 in the final minutes.

The rapidity of our rise to Level 4 has surprised many, including a sprinkling of our own members.  Major decisions have had to be made quickly to comply with the more stringent regulations of National Leagues rugby and to bolster the squad for the serious upgrade in strength and skill that we are encountering.  Adam’s team and the whole Oaks Committee have worked long and hard to prepare us for this challenging season. Today’s fixture shows how far we have come and is the type of test that is relished by all of us at SRFC.

Howard Pearl        

1st XV v Blackheath FC Match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Blackheath for the early season postponed game at the Paddock.

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1st XV v Old Albanian RFC Match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Old Albanian RFC for the very first time at The Paddock.

View fullsize

Bowman's Blog - 4/11/22

Last week saw good performances from both senior teams, but mixed results. The 2s secured a narrow victory at The Paddock, 15-14 against a strong Canterbury Second XV, whilst the 1s were beaten narrowly but achieved a losing bonus point at Bury St. Edmunds. It is worth mentioning what a great crowd we had for the 2s game at home cheering the lads on in the late October sun. Where did that weather go!!

This week sees the Seconds travel to Parkhouse for their league game whilst the Thirds welcome Cranbrook to The Paddock. The Firsts are also at home, hosting Old Albanians. The clocks have gone back and the weather has turned wet and windy so we can expect challenging conditions on Saturday for all of our fixtures.

National 2 East is presenting the First XV with the challenges we expected. Last week was a good example of us being able to compete well, but letting the opposition gain momentum at key times in the match, which at this level means we are conceding points. Discipline and understanding the referees interpretation is also something we need to work on, with two yellow cards at BSE last week not helping our cause. We sit in 12th place with 16 points in the league, making this week’s match a critical one. Our opponents Old Albanians are experienced National 2 participants so we know this will be a tough match. They are 5th in the league but lost at home to Dorking last week so will be keen to get back on track. We are expecting heavy conditions on Saturday and the lads will be up for a physical encounter against a very good team.

There are a number of players making their way back from injury, but as I have said before, this league requires strength in depth in the squad, and we will have players who can step up when called upon.

It is Bonfire Night on Saturday (I will resist the firework metaphors) and all three teams will hope to put on a cracker of a display (maybe not). Please come to support the boys at The Paddock. It makes a big difference. The noise when Jonny scored the winning try against Canterbury, was tremendous. Let’s do it again!

See you on Saturday.

COYO

Adam 

Pearl's Corner - 4/11/22

A WARM WELCOME TO OLD ALBANIAN RFC

Our promotion to the National Leagues brings many challenges and opportunities.  One of these opportunities is to play against new clubs, so today we are delighted to be the hosts for this first ever match against Old Albanian.

St Albans School was founded in 948, but it took another 976 years before a rugby club founded by Old Albanians was created; what kept them so long I wonder?! Their first changing rooms were a converted Great War barrack hut which they managed to survive in for quite some time.

A new ground north of St Albans was acquired in the late 50s together with a self-built accommodation, similar to our story in the late 70s.  At that time, while retaining their name, the Club went “open” and increased its playing strength to accommodate six teams weekly.

OAs have a proud playing history, especially since the turn of this century, which coincided with the sale of their ground for housing development.  After playing nomadically in 2000, they joined up with the school and moved to Cheapside Farm, since renamed Woollams in honour of a major school benefactor.

That move was celebrated in style by promotion to London 1.  Solid improvement was maintained for the next decade and in 2010/11 National Leagues status was achieved.  Since then OAs have oscillated between Levels 3 and 4, always turning out strong and competitive sides.  Congratulations are due to them in lowering Blackheath’s colours three weeks ago.  

Saracens use their facilities for training which has resulted in a strong connection with the Premiership outfit.  Current international and well-known players including Maro Itoje, Nathan Earle, Nick Iswieke, and Max Malins have all pulled on the Old Albanians shirt, while in former times Jeff Probyn played on a regular basis.

Today will be a stern test for the Oaks, but one we relish and, with a following wind though not belittling either side’s promotion ambitions, one that we look forward to continuing for future seasons.

 Howard Pearl

Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:

Barnes v Canterbury                         Blackheath v North Walsham 

Dorking v Guernsey                          Rochford Hundred v Bury St Edmunds           

Westcliff v Tonbridge Juddian             Worthing v Henley

The Mighty Oaks Club Lottery

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to welcome Sutton Winson to the Sevenoaks Rugby Club family.

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”.

Bowman's Blog - 21/10/22

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

Pearl's Corner - 21/10/22

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 

1st XV v Canterbury RFC Match day programme

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.

View fullsize