Pearl's Corner - 15/09/23

A WARM WELCOME TO OLD ALBANIAN RFC

We played a number of new opponents last season, but now firmly set in the National Leagues we can anticipate regular visits from clubs we would previously only come across in cup tie situations.  Old Albanian RFC is one such club and we are delighted to welcome all involved to Knole Paddock for the second time.

St Albans School was founded in 948, and is reputed to be the second oldest school in the country behind King’s School Canterbury.  Rugby was played at the school from the end of the 19th century and, as with many others soon after the end of WW1, a group of former pupils formed their own ruby club so that they could continue playing in adulthood.  The year was 1924 so congratulations in advance to OAs for their centenary – one year older than SRFC.

Their first changing rooms were a converted Great War barracks 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.  In 1974, 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. 

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 a number of Saracens Academy boys now make guest appearances from time to time.

Both sides have one win from the two outings to date, and all four matches have been close run affairs. Today will offer a good examination of both XVs’ credentials as the embryonic season begins to take shape.  Another exciting afternoon awaits.

 Howard Pearl

Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:

Esher v Canterbury                           Henley v Bury St Edmunds

North Walsham v Dorking                 Tonbridge Juddian  v Guernsey  

Wimbledon v Westcombe Park         Worthing v Barnes  

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce a long term partnership with Handelsbanken Sevenoaks!

Dear Members,

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce a long term partnership with Handelsbanken Sevenoaks!

Handelsbanken, established in 1871, is a local relationship bank, built on satisfied customers, financial strength and sustainable values.  They support local communities across the country, helping individuals and businesses with their financial needs.

Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Handelsbanken to the Sevenoaks Rugby Club family, and excited for our members to benefit from the excellent financial services on offer in the heart of Sevenoaks!

Daniel Batchelor, Branch Manager of Handelsbanken Sevenoaks, said: "Handelsbanken Sevenoaks are delighted to be partnering up with SRFC under a new long term sponsorship agreement.  The opportunity to work with the club over the coming years was too big an opportunity to miss.  They have built a fantastic sponsorship programme which helps benefits all parties and we are delighted to help the club achieve its growing ambitions.  We wish all the teams and members an enjoyable and successful season." 

Yours in rugby,

Sevenoaks Rugby

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce that Sevenoaks Medical Centre have extended their partnership.

Sevenoaks Rugby Club are proud to announce that Sevenoaks Medical Centre have committed to supporting our club for another season! A key partner in the well being of both players and members alike, we are delighted to have this local business on board for another year!

Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director, Adam Bowman, commented: “We are delighted Sevenoaks Medical Centre (SMC) have recommitted for Season 2023/24. SMC have 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 “It is fantastic that we are sponsoring Sevenoaks Rugby Club for the third consecutive season. It is imperative we establish and maintain community links and support the health and wellbeing needs of the community as well as championing the younger generation who participate in the Club’s community programmes.”

Click on the image above for their full press release!

🏆 PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🏆

Congratulations to Drew Mercer who has been voted as August's Wagama’s Sevenoaks Player of the Month, as voted for by the senior squad, after some outstanding effort and performances throughout pre season!

Enjoy that well deserved meal Drew!

A reminder, all Sevenoaks Rugby Club members can benefit from a 20% discount when dining at Wagamama Sevenoaks on presentation of your membership card!

Savills Sevenoaks commits to Sevenoaks Rugby Club!

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce that we have extended our partnership with Savills Sevenoaks for a further five years, with the global real estate provider continuing their commitment as the Club's Headline Partner! 

Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "Savills Sevenoaks have played a significant role in supporting the club over the past nine years, and we are absolutely delighted to be extending our partnership".  Adam continued "The longevity of our relationship is a sign of our shared values and our desire to provide the highest quality of sport to the Sevenoaks community!”

David Johnston, Head of Residential Savills Sevenoaks, said: “We are delighted to extend our sponsorship of the rugby club for a further 5 years and we’re excited to see the club grow and thrive over that time. As such a successful and inclusive club at all levels and ages, coupled with being such a big part of the local community, it’s a privilege to be partnered with the club and to continue our long standing relationship.”

Here's to the next five years and thank you!

A reminder that Savills donate £500 or £1000 (£1.5m and above) to the Club on each successful members house sale - so if you’re thinking of moving, call the number one agent in Sevenoaks and let them know you’re a member!

Sevenoaks Rugby Chairman’s Report Season 2022-2023

Dear Member,

As you may already know, after ten years I have decided to step down as your Chairman.

It has been a privilege and (mostly) a pleasure for me; I don’t propose to pick over every detail, just to summarise where we were and where we now are as a community rugby club, from 1st XV to U5’s, on and off the pitch.

I am constantly amazed by the extraordinary people that make the club work at all levels- mostly volunteers as they always have been.

I have shared some of the frustrations that they have had to endure, mostly from external organisations and the odd individual who simply doesn’t appreciate or empathise with the challenges of a volunteer-run sports club, a special thank you to our exemplary Head of Comms Greg Gorrill for Keeping Calm and Carrying On!

In 2013, Chairman Lee Adamson was frustrated in conversation at the bar with a few recently retired Acorns; the issues were that the club seemed to be split between Saturday and Sunday members, and it was very difficult to unite the two, especially for social events and volunteering to coach the juniors with a clear pathway to the seniors.

When Lee said that he reluctantly felt unable to do any more, President Phil Bradshaw and Secretary Andy Nicholls thankfully agreed to stay on committee to ensure some continuity and those Acorns agreed to stand together and ‘give it a go’- this was the original mission and line up:

SEVENOAKS RUGBY

Mission Statement and Objectives                                                                March 2013

‘To be the best amateur rugby club in the South East, upholding the core values of rugby football:

Teamwork       Respect         Enjoyment       Discipline 

 alongside the traditional values of competition and friendship’

Three-year key objectives

1.             To develop a 1st XV competitive enough to be constantly pushing for promotion

2.             To develop a genuinely united culture between the junior and senior sections

3.             To introduce a fair and efficient system of club membership for all

4.             To regularly field four senior teams and to encourage an active occasional veterans team

5.             To be in control of the availability of pitches for matches and training, with reliable external reserve facilities in place

Proposed Management Team

President:                                                          P Bradshaw

Chairman:                                                         T Nicholson

Secretary:                                                         A Nicholls

Treasurer:                                                          J. Wilkinson                                                             

Senior Rugby Chairman/Director of Rugby:             R McKerlie

Youth Rugby Chairman:                                        M Wooldridge

Commercial Manager:                                          P Groves

(co-opted position)

Support roles

Senior Playing Manager:                                         M McMorran

Marketing and Communications Manager:                  S Fitzmaurice

Kent County and Referee liaison:               A Crane

Sponsor relations, Asst. Commercial Manager:               A.Bumstead, M.Hayward

Rugby Development Officer                                           TBA

1st XV Manager                                                            J.Muchmore

Club Coach (reporting to Director of Rugby)                   D.Vaughan

Youth Manager                                                            P.Harris

Mini Manager                                                               A.Shirtcliff

Some of these goals have been achieved, some remain, and the important thing is that the club is in good hands going forward- Steve Fitzmaurice is nominated to be Chairman and Nick Pearce to finally give Andy Nicholls a break as Secretary, so general admin will be much tighter going forward.

One of the first and most important things the new committee managed to achieve in 2015 was to persuade the Council to drain and enlarge the 1st XV pitch, relocate in front of the clubhouse, and with various grants, without dipping into club funds, the Bradshaw-Pearl balcony followed, creating better viewing facilities and of course hellfire corner, much feared by all visitors.

Who knows, maybe Derek and the Field Stewards will eventually have easier jobs with an electric scoreboard and new advertising boards…thanks so much to you all.

There will be separate reports from Charlie Mouncer our Treasurer and Adam Bowman, Director of Rugby and Sponsorship on the current season’s performance.

Suffice to say that we are solvent with much improved bar and catering revenue -Chapeau to Diane, Donna and their always smiling teams.

We are still in National League 2 with ring-fenced and budgeted player finance that does not rely on members’ subs or divert resources away from the juniors, a strong and successful Academy under Daws and Rolfy, Hendo’s Junior and Mini sections with Paul and Phil’s girls really taking off-all remarkable achievements.

Thanks to every volunteer coach -sometimes still helping even if their child decides to do something else- for doing what you do, for the love of the game.

Seniors and Juniors are thriving, with much more interaction and support for each other -all Mighty Oaks- senior players coaching juniors, age group ‘ball technicians’ at every 1st XV home game, guest tables at pre match lunches for age groups and parents, girls and Ladies teams and giant junior tours for whole families- it feels pretty healthy to me and what’s more- it is fun!

Our interactions with both RFU and our landlords Sevenoaks Town Council are always challenging, often coming from very different positions and degrees of urgency, and we continue to work on this important aspect of running the club.

We have had lunch visits from Bill Sweeney CEO of the RFU and Jeff Blackett, President, and the 1st XV elevation to semi-pro National League status has been relatively smooth but a very steep learning curve.

Under the astute and avuncular stewardship of our President and friend Mike Wooldridge, I am sure Fitzy and the committee will continue to ensure now that we have crossed the match-fee Rubicon that has always been so philosophically troubling for me personally, we recognise that it was the players who earned it.

I certainly haven’t seen any difference in the genuinely friendly player-spectator atmosphere in the Jim Wallace bar- most opposition clubs are envious of that unique Mighty Oaks feeling- no inflated egos tolerated- and home supporters do appreciate the significant rise in the quality of rugby we now play.

Adam has stepped up from Roger’s visionary start as Director of Rugby, and their combined tenure is witnessed in the 1st XV ten-year results table below, showing three promotions in ten years, from Level 7 to Level 4.

While we now better respect and embrace every playing aspect of our club, there is no doubt that the 1st XV is the shop window, the juniors’ inspiration and spectators’ entertainment- thanks to the senior squad who have trained in numbers never seen before- we’re on our way!

See you on the balcony

Trevor Nicholson

Chairman

Sevenoaks Rugby

.

AGM Notice - Friday 2nd June, 2023 - 1900

SEVENOAKS RFC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Club will take place at 1900 prompt on Friday 2nd June, 2023 and members are requested to attend.

* AGENDA *

1. Apologies for Absence.

2. To consider and approve the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held on 21 May 2022.

3. To receive and approve the Chairman’s report on the affairs of the Club.

4. To receive a Financial and Accountant’s report for the year to 30th June 2022 & pass a resolution that the club is allowed not to undertake a full professional audit for the 2022 accounts.

5. To elect Honorary Life Members and Vice Presidents of the Club

6. To elect the Officers of the Club and approve the other Official Appointments for the 2022/23 Season.

7. To consider any other business of which due notice shall have been given.

8. To hear any other relevant matter for the consideration of the Committee during the ensuing year, but on which no voting shall be allowed.

Under rule 8.4.3 amendments to any of the proposals detailed in this notice must be sent in writing to the Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded not less than twenty-four hours before the time for which the Annual General Meeting is convened. Those received to date have been included in this notice.

Andy Nicholls

Hon. Secretary

Please notify the Hon. Secretary if you are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting email nichollsandy@hotmail.com or write to The Honorary Secretary, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, Knole Paddock, Plymouth Drive, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3RP

Attachments:

• Financial Report for the year 2022 – to be available on the day of the AGM or by request

• Minutes of 2022 AGM– to be available on the day of the AGM or by request

• Schedule of Officers presented for election, together with other posts already agreed by the Committee – to be available on the day of the AGM or by request

Bowman's Blog - 21/04/23

It’s been a long tough year for the First XV, debuting in National 2 East. We have certainly learned a great deal, and next season we will be a stronger outfit as a result. The big question of course is ‘in which league will that be?’

For the final game of the season this Saturday we are at home, playing the already relegated Westcliff. Last week’s Oak’s defeat at Tonbridge Juddians, along with Rochford picking up two losing bonus points at North Walsham leaves the situation this weekend very clear. An Oaks win of any kind against the visiting Essex team will guarantee twelfth position in the table and safety for next year; and relegate Rochford. Anything less and it will require a nervy monitoring of the Rochford game versus TJs. So, our destiny is in our own hands. 

We must of course put all of that out of our minds and focus on the game, and each individual job needing to be done within it. We have spoken this week about the need for both intensity and precision in execution, the latter missing at TJs last weekend. It would be a massive mistake to underestimate Westcliff because of their league position; they have some very good players and have shown in recent weeks they are capable of putting points on the board.

There will be plenty of time during the off-season to review our performance over the 26 games. For now the boys and coaching staff are committed to giving everything to secure the victory we require. We also need to tuned into how the game is being managed by the officials, something we have struggled with in recent matches.

So here is my last Paddock rallying cry of the year…………. please get down to the ground in big numbers and cheer the boys on. It helps enormously!

Thank you in advance and we look forward to a great game of rugby on Saturday.

COYO
Adam

Pearl's Corner - 21/04/23

A WARM WELCOME TO WESTCLIFF RFC

It is a comparatively short distance between the rugby clubs of Sevenoaks and Westcliff-on-Sea, and there have been many trips through the tunnel by our junior sides as well as, in recent seasons, senior team pre-season friendly fixtures.  However, this is our first regular season meeting since September 1978.

Founded 101 years ago in 1922, Old Westcliffians RFC provided a strong community-based home for former pupils of Westcliff GS who wanted to continue playing after leaving school.

Similar to many Old Boys clubs, Old Westcliffians went “open” in the early 90s and changed their name to Westcliff.  So, especially as this is probably the initial visit for many involved, we extend a warm welcome to all Westcliff RFC representatives.

They started in the Essex divisions and took a while to progress.  However, the change of name and becoming an “open” club gave lift-off.  Four promotions in seven seasons propelled them up the pyramid to level 6 at the end of 07/08.  Further promotions, combined with the odd relegation, eventually took the club to the elevated heights of the National Leagues in 18/19.  It has been tough going since then and this time round the mountain has been just too high for the men in maroon and orange to climb.

As we all know our own status in Level 4 will be decided this afternoon.  This is no end-of-season final match jamboree.  We have work to do and Westcliff would dearly love a final flourish to end a difficult season on a high note.

There is at least one match-day aspect that both our clubs can be acknowledged to be a cut above the rest.  The word is that the Westcliff President has given some pretty inspiring after-lunch speeches recently.  Our own Pres is pretty damn good at that too, including when eloquently replying to one or two other somewhat rambling orations of recent vintage.  While there is naturally huge interest and concentration on playing matters, both Sevenoaks and Westcliff members are indeed fortunate to have strong  Presidents, Chairmen and full Committees to guide our clubs through turbulent times on and off the pitch.   

Howard Pearl

Other National 2 East Division matches being played today:

Bury St Edmunds v Henley                           Canterbury v North Walsham

Dorking v Blackheath                                  Old Albanian v Guernsey

Rochford Hundred v Tonbridge Juddian       Worthing v Barnes 

Pearl's Corner - 31/03/23

A WARM WELCOME TO NORTH WALSHAM RFC

Ooh…er!  It’s definitely squeaky bum time as we approach the end of this our first season in the National Leagues.  We are in a contest to remain in Level 4 and today we play one of our fellow battlers for what amounts to, borrowing a hackneyed football phrase, a “six-pointer”.  The winner will take a minimum of 4 but probably 5 points and the loser a maximum of 2.      

So we welcome back everyone involved with North Walsham Rugby Club, one of our fellow promoted clubs from last season.  Our opponents will have travelled 150 miles to get here, but they will be used to extended coach journeys as they are the northernmost club in our division.  Knowing what is at stake no doubt the coach party from Norfolk will have set off early to avoid delays en route.  

Nicknamed The Vikings, presumably due to overseas visitors coming ashore many centuries ago, our guests started life as late as 1962 under the guidance of a local headmaster, Ken Marshall and the resident policeman John Mansfield.  The plan was to tickle the interest of the Walsham youth in rugby.  History relates that several families were somewhat daunted by John, in full uniform, knocking on doors on a Friday night asking if any lads were at home.

Starting off on school pitches, presumably courtesy of Ken, the club soon moved to Scottow their present home.  The early fixture lists comprised all the local Norfolk teams and the club thrived.  Pre leagues success was capped in 1984 by lifting both the Norfolk and Eastern Counties Cups.  

The advent of leagues in 87/88 gave The Vikings the impetus to move rapidly skywards, eventually involving 18 consecutive seasons in the National Leagues. That run came to an end in 10/11 and for the next eight terms they oscillated mainly between Levels 5 and 6.  However a stellar, but Covid induced and abbreviated, 19/20 campaign saw the Vikings gallop away with London 1 North.  As we know last season’s scrap for promotion places in London & South East Premier went down to the final weekend with both our clubs prevailing.

After a difficult start to the season the Vikings’ improving form since the New Year, as well as fixtures at home to Rochford Hundred and away at Canterbury after today’s match, has given them a sporting chance of avoiding the drop.  So, both Canterbury and Rochford will be especially interested in our final score this evening.

No matter the score today, we can salute Ben and Sean, our latest Centurion Heroes.  With 100 league appearances each they become the 23rd and 24th Mighty Oaks players to have cracked the ton.  May we continue to enjoy their skills and applaud them both for many more matches to come.      

 Howard Pearl

Other National 2 East matches being played today:

Barnes v  Blackheath                        Bury St Edmunds v Old Albanian

Canterbury v Guernsey                     Dorking v Tonbridge Juddian

Rochford Hundred v Henley              Worthing v Westcliff

Bowman's Blog - 31/03/23

Another double header this weekend at the Paddock. Now their league season is over the 2s play a friendly on Saturday against Old Colfeians while the 1s host North Walsham in a crucial National 2 East match. These two games come on the back of disappointing results in last week’s double header at Henley RFC; where the Seconds lost narrowly despite scoring four tries and the First team were edged out of a losing bonus point by a late Henley try. Both games were very competitive and as is often the case, managing the small details and getting to grips with the match officials interpretation of the laws proved crucial to the results.

Well, three games to go for the Firsts in what has been a real learning experience for the squad this season. We have adapted really well to a very high standard of rugby, having performed competitively, bar a couple of matches, throughout the year. We are now at the business end of the campaign with our destiny in our own hands (cliche alert!), with the squad fired up to tackle the remaining games. It would be a mistake to look ahead to the last game of the season at home to the already relegated Westcliffe and assume five points will be won. Nothing is certain in this league so our focus is entirely on the NW game.

Our visitors sit five points behind us in the table and showed how dangerous they can be when beating us in the corresponding fixture in early December last year. We will need to bring our A game to secure points from this match. We have undoubtedly played better at home than away this season - something we must improve on next year - so we are confident we can apply the intensity and our systems of play to compete effectively with North Walsham. It is also the case results have been better when we keep the penalty count against us down, so our discipline will also be a key factor.

Saturday looks set to be a bit wet for the last games before the Easter break, but what better way to wile alway a Saturday afternoon than supporting the 1s and 2s at the Paddock. As ever your vociferous encouragement is a big help to the boys. We will do our best to bring home the points that would go a long way to securing our survival in National 2 for next season.

COYO
Adam

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 RFC for this crucial game at The Paddock.

View fullsize

1st XV v Barnes RFC match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Barnes RFC for the first time at The Paddock. This is a postponed game from January.

View fullsize

Bowman's Blog - 17/03/23

This Saturday our First XV welcomes Barnes RFC to the Paddock. This is the rearranged fixture from the game frozen off earlier in the season. It is the only senior men’s match this weekend. 

Last Saturday was a cracker. Sadly the 2s game was called off as Southwark was unable to field a team, but we celebrated wins for the 1s and 3s. A good victory away at Aylesford for the latter but the undoubted highlight was the victory over Guernsey in another close game, this time with Oaks coming out on top. The visitors started the game well and were difficult to shake off, but few (maybe even the begrudging Guernsey DoR😊) would have to admit the better team won on the day.

The boys showed what is required to win at this level. Oaks errors were lower than the previous week and the intensity was there for 80 minutes, against an experienced team who were forced into mistakes. It was a great atmosphere at the Paddock so a big thank you to all our supporters. 

This week we play Barnes, one of the best teams in the league, sitting in third place in the table. We were soundly beaten in the reverse fixture in the autumn, not able to cope defensively with their impressive back line. We will need to be at least as determined and organised as last Saturday to get something from a very good opposition. We know we have the capability so it will be about application and concentration (again).

Five games to go including Barnes and we would be wrong to assume we are out of the relegation woods just because of last week’s win. Although N. Walsham lost, Rocheford earned two valuable points from their draw with Old Albanians. There is still much to play for.

We look forward to seeing you at the Paddock, where the boys will be giving everything.

COYO

Adam

Pearl's Corner - 17/03/23

A WARM WELCOME TO BARNES RFC

Let us give a traditional Mighty Oaks welcome today to another first time visiting team in the imposing form of Barnes RFC.

We do not often entertain a club that began league life at a level lower than ourselves.  While disappointed that we were placed in Level 8 in 1987, the outfit now known as Barnes RFC started in Surrey 3, then a Level 9 division.

Our guests’ beginnings were, like ourselves, in the 1920s but under the name Old Harrodians as this was a part of the sports club for employees of the Harrods department store.  When Mohamed Al-Fayed sold the sports ground and clubhouse for housing development in 1990, the rugby arm found themselves with no ground or clubhouse.  This could have been curtains (excuse the pun) for them, but all the members got stuck in physically and financially.  They found and refurbished an old clubhouse near their training ground and began playing matches at that ground as well.

Now renamed Barnes where they were situated, and drawing from local West London talent, they began moving steadily up the RFU leagues pyramid.  Periodic promotions, and always competitive, by the end of the 2009 season they found themselves in a Level 5 playoff match hosting Bracknell.  An historic win elevated this essentially village club to the giddy heights of Level 4.  That first rarefied atmosphere season was one too far, and relegation pricked their balloon.  However, in a titanic four-way tussle, Barnes immediately prevailed again.  Apart from one blip in 16/17, which was immediately corrected, they have been prominent and powerful opponents at this level ever since.

Ed Alteirac, our 1st XV captain in 10/11 and an 84 appearances veteran, swanned off to Barnes RFC at the end of that season to seek pastures new.  Ed always said he would come back and try for his 100 mark, but I think that time has run out on him by now!  With both clubs in the same division, we wonder where Ed’s allegiance will lie today.    

Our visit to Queen Elizabeth Walk in October was a sobering affair.  However, Adam’s squad have adapted well to this unique level, especially at home. Our experiences since then, together with full vocal support from The Oaks Faithful, will hold us in good stead for today’s rematch.

Howard Pearl

Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:

Bury St Edmunds v Blackheath                   Henley v North Walsham

Old Albanian v Westcliff                              Rochford Hundred v Dorking

Sevenoaks Rugby Club are delighted to announce a partnership with Wagamama Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce a partnership with Wagamama Sevenoaks.

Wagamama Sevenoaks serves delicious Asian food inspired by the flavours of Japan; a place of positive eating for positive living.

Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with Wagamama Sevenoaks, where our members will be able to benefit from a 20% discount when dining at Wagamama in Sevenoaks on presentation of your membership card.  In addition, for Season 2023/24, we are very pleased that Wagamama Sevenoaks have agreed to be our Senior Squad "Player of the Month" sponsor.

Bowman's Blog - 10/03/23

The three senior fixtures this weekend see the 2s and 3s away at Southwark and Aylesford respectively, whilst the 1s host Guernsey at the Paddock.

Last weekend was disappointing for the Firsts and Seconds. The latter lost a crucial match away to Vigo, and have now played one game more than the two teams above them in the league, and are one point off top spot. Saturday sees their last fixture of the season in Kent 2 Counties league, so for Sevenoaks to be crowned champions they must do the business at bottom of the table Lancers and rely on Dover and Canterbury II to slip up in their two remaining games.

The First XV failed to compete at Old Albanians last weekend and were heavily beaten as a result. It was certainly one of our worst performances of the season and we need to bounce back this week to reach the levels we know we can. 

The season is entering a critical stage with a handful of games remaining. It looks like a shootout to avoid the second relegation place, between us, North Walsham, Rocheford and possibly Canterbury., who have played one more game than the rest. We have some tough fixtures ahead but if we can replicate performances like our recent display in the defeat against Bury, we should accumulate more points. That said we cannot afford to be off the pace as we were last week or also let our opponents sneak past us in those narrow encounters. 

I have said all season it is about concentration and consistency and we have played some great rugby during these last few months: however our defence needs to be better for us to secure points. The boys have put in so much this season, and have learned a great deal at Nat 2 level. There is a real belief we can perform and stay in this league. This must start with the visit of Guernsey on Saturday, a tough team who we shared the points with in the reverse fixture - in an exciting 28 all draw. They are a strong outfit so nothing less than 100% in all areas of the game will suffice.

I am pleased to say four of our last six games are at the Paddock, so our supporters will have a key role to play - as they will when we make the short trip to TJs in April. The lads feel a real lift when the Oaks’ roar goes up. We look forward to hearing it on Saturday 

😊

See you at the Paddock!

Adam 

COYO

Pearl's Corner - 10/03/23

A WARM WELCOME TO GUERNSEY RAIDERS RFC

Another team of Raiders has arrived in Plymouth Drive!  Having been involved in an extremely close encounter with Worthing Raiders seven weeks ago, we now welcome and entertain Guernsey’s version, who will try their luck against our Mighty Oaks. 

There are records of rugby activity in this Channel Island from 1913, but WW1 put everything on hold and it wasn’t until 1928 that the basic formalities to launch Guernsey RFC were completed.  Even then the standard was not particularly high and, of course, the German Occupation in WW2 didn’t help. 

To digress slightly, one particular piece of rugby history was initiated in 1920 by the inaugural match for the Siam Cup between Jersey and Guernsey. The trophy is a large circular rose bowl made from Siamese coinage. It is beautifully decorated in traditional Siamese style, with figures of dancing girls and elephant heads. It is the second oldest rugby trophy to be contested;  only the Calcutta Cup has a longer history.

The Cup was brought to the Channel Islands by Lieut-Colonel C H Forty, an officer based in Siam.  A fellow officer in his regiment was the son of the King of Siam. He was befriended by Forty and his fellow officers, and on eventually becoming King he presented the cup to Forty and his fellow officers as a token of their friendship. Forty donated the cup to the islands to be played for annually between Victoria College in Jersey and Elizabeth College in Guernsey. When rugby was no longer played by the two colleges it was decided that the cup should be contested between the two island rugby clubs each season; thus began the annual 'battle' for the Siam Cup.

During the German occupation of the Channel Islands in the Second World War, the Germans wanted the Siam Cup to be sent to their homeland for melting down and then used as funds to support the Third Reich. Strangely enough the cup 'disappeared' and was not rediscovered until after the end of the occupation. To this day, there is no record of the whereabouts of the cup during that period.

By the 1970s the trophy started to deteriorate from age and a replica was commissioned. The original was handed to the RFU in 1977 where it is displayed in the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham.

When the Jersey Reds turned professional the contest became uneven against the Guernsey semi-amateur side.  So now only professionals who have lived in Jersey for more than three years are allowed to play.  I may be wrong (again!) but it looks as though Jersey are the present holders thanks to a 14-13 win at the last encounter.  

Going back to the progress made by The Raiders in more recent times, with transport between the island and the mainland becoming easier more clubs were making the trip.  The Raiders started their League life in 1987 down at Level 9 in the Hampshire leagues.  Since then a steady upward progression saw them scale the heights of promotion to Level 4 at the end of the 2017/18 season.  Sadly for them, but fortunately for us, they suffered relegation straight away, which meant we met up for the first time in the Covid abridged 2019/20 season.  Promotion back to Level 4 was gained through their results up to the cessation of matches in March ’20. We followed them up last season to renew our rivalry this time round.

We had an exciting see-saw match in November finishing up at 28-28 thanks to a Jonny Short special with the match’s final play. Both sides are looking to preserve their Level 4 status as we approach the later stages of the season, so competition will be sharp and the win points an invaluable prize to gain today.         

Howard Pearl

Other National 2 East matches being played today:

Barnes v Westcliff                                    Blackheath v Tonbridge Juddian

Canterbury v Bury St Edmunds                 Dorking v Henley                       

Rochford Hundred v   Old Albanian           Worthing v North Walsham         

1st XV v Guernsey Match day programme

Thanks as ever to Gerry Diebel of Direct Design for pulling together the match day programme as we take on Guernsey Raiders once again at The Paddock.

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