First XV v Henley team sheet for Saturday 30 September at The Paddock
Dear Members,
Ideal Mats LTD Joins Sevenoaks Rugby Club Family: A Winning Partnership
Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Ideal Mats LTD, a leading provider of high-quality entrance mats and flooring solutions.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ideal Mats LTD into the Sevenoaks Rugby Club family," said Adam Bowman, Commercial Director of Sevenoaks Rugby Club. "This partnership reflects our dedication to fostering connections within our community and strengthening the foundations of our club. Ideal Mats shares our vision for excellence both on and off the field, making them the ideal partner as we continue to grow and prosper."
Bernt Bouverie, Owner of Ideal Mats LTD, expressed their enthusiasm about the partnership: "At Ideal Mats, we believe in the power of partnerships that bring people together. Sevenoaks Rugby Club's dedication to building a strong and inclusive community aligns perfectly with our values. We are excited to contribute to the club's success and look forward to sharing many memorable moments on and off the field with players, fans, and the entire Sevenoaks community."
Yours in rugby,
Sevenoaks Rugby
As we approach the end of the first month of the season, we have experienced a challenging opening few weeks. The results for all three senior teams have been mixed, but it is early days in the season for the senior squad.
I have been very pleased with the additions to the squad over the summer and our early season efforts to compete in National 2 East and Counties 2 Kent leagues. The boys are training well and continue to work on new combinations and on field relationships. That said, it is about results and we are entirely focussed on securing wins and putting points on the board .
Last weekend Oaks teams experienced mixed results. The 2s narrowly lost to Westcombe Park at The Paddock, whilst the 3s bagged a win. Unfortunately, despite staying in the game for an hour, the 1s lost heavily away to Bury St Edmunds . This was the another defeat on the back a big loss at home to Old Albanians the previous week. Despite many good aspects in these games, we failed to deliver a consistency of performance and the organisation needed defensively during the whole game. As a result the Firsts sit thirteenth in the league with one win from four.
This weekend the Second XV travel to Park House and the First XV welcome early season in form Henley, who boast a 3 and 1 record. There are no easy games in National 2, and the squad is fully committed to competing with established teams, like Henley, in this league. We know the key is to be disciplined for the full 80 minutes, maintaining the high intensity needed.
Whilst we have added to the squad this summer to replace the retirees and leavers, I am delighted we have eighteen home grown players playing in our First XV & Second XV teams tomorrow - a stat we should all be hugely proud of!
We would be delighted to see you at The Paddock on Saturday. Please come and support us and. Make some noise!
COYO
Adam
A WARM WELCOME TO HENLEY RFC
We give a warm Knole Paddock welcome to The Hawks for the second time, following their initial visit last term.
When we first met last year Henley also just happened to be the 100th different club we played against in League competition since it all started in September 1987. No prizes for trying to guess all those names, but I wonder how many serial attendees can list the six other 1st XVs we have played in league matches that start with the letter ‘H’?
Old Henleiensians was formed in 1930 for the usual Old Boys clubs’ reason that the 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 Sir 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.
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’ seventh season on the trot in Level 4 and, with a 3-1 record so far, continue to be one of the stronger sides in our division. We did lower their colours at home last November, so a repeat performance would not go amiss for the Knole Paddock faithful.
An intriguing Level 4 match between the established and the sophomore awaits.
Howard Pearl
Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:
Dorking v Westcombe Park Esher v Old Albanian
North Walsham v Barnes Tonbridge Juddian v Bury St Edmunds
Wimbledon v Guernsey Worthing v Canterbury
Dear Members,
Aztech Group extends partnership for Season 2023/24!
Aztech Group, based in Sevenoaks, are a professional arboriculture and forestry contractor covering the Home Counties and London, offering services such as Domestic and Commercial tree works, site clearance, woodland management and arboriculture surveys
Sevenoaks Rugby Club Commercial Director Adam Bowman commented: "Aztech Group play a significant role in supporting the club and we are delighted they have extended for Season 2023/24! A reminder to members that you can benefit from a 15% discount with Aztech Group."
Adam Ashworth, Owner of Aztech Group, said: "We are very proud to be extending our sponsorship for another season…supporting the club the last few years has been a real pleasure. It’s been great to see the team establish itself at this new level, and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve this coming season!"
Yours in rugby,
Sevenoaks Rugby
When? 22nd of October from 2-4pm for all women to come down and try rugby!
Looking for a new challenge and sick of training alone?
Why not become part of a team?
Come train with us and let your new teammates help you achieve more than you ever thought possible.
No previous experience necessary - just come down and have fun!!
Booking can be made through the Facebook page here!
Dear Members,
The Athlete Media Group is a leading sports marketing agency representing elite British & international athletes. With a current portfolio of 78 athletes in 35 sports they work with a unique blend of Olympic medallists, world champions, World Cup winners, world record holders, rising stars & retired sports people including former Sevenoaks RFC women’s & England U20 scrum-half, Tori Sellors. 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 The Athlete Media Group have extended our partnership and are very excited to continue our journey supporting each other."
Mark Middlemas, CEO & Founder of The Athlete Media Group, said: "Sevenoaks RFC are the epitome of a community rugby club with ambitious plans on & off the field. We are delighted to extend our partnership across the 23/24 season & wish the club every success for the season ahead.”
Yours in rugby,
Sevenoaks Rugby
Dear Members,
Sevenoaks Rugby Club are delighted to announce that Chris Potter Country Sports have extended their partnership.
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: "We are delighted to extend our partnership with Chris Potter Country Sports, who continue to play a significant role in growing our playing & support services across the club. Do not forget that members are able to benefit from a 15% discount on all clothing, footwear and accessories."
Charles Harris, Owner of Chris Potter Country Sports, said: "We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of Sevenoaks Rugby football club for another year. Over the last few years we have enjoyed seeing the growth of the club from the under five, girls and ladies teams, up to the senior squad and management. We hope for another successful season in national 2 and looking forward to many lunches, pints and supporting the SRFC at the paddock
Yours in rugby,
Sevenoaks Rugby
I am sure you are all enjoying being part of community rugby while following the best international teams slugging it out for the Webb Ellis trophy (although I was shocked to hear this week William didn’t actually invent our glorious game!). Also note to self - we must practice drop goals 😀
We are two weeks into the new season and are already seeing how competitive it will be in the weeks and months ahead. The Firsts have one win and one defeat, 4 league points to date, and the Seconds have the same record in their two warm-up games.
I am confident our summer recruitment and preparations will stand us in good stead for the season ahead. Despite a number of retirements and one or two departures, we have added some new faces, welcomed a number of returners and enjoyed seeing the maturation of younger players. This gives us a strong squad able to compete at National 2 and Counties 2 Kent. An exciting season ahead.
I have been asked what our goals are for the 2023/4 season. We are ambitious, so the 2s competing for the title and the 1s improving on last season’s finish are sensible objectives.
This weekend sees the Second XV travel to Dartford for their first league fixture of the season. The First XV welcome Old Albanians, a team we lost to in a close encounter at the Paddock last year. It is important both Oaks teams get points on the board and build momentum in the early weeks of the season.
The weather on Saturday looks set to be a lukewarm mid 20s, compared to a sizzling 30 plus last weekend. This should allow us to play exciting rugby, entertaining what we hope will be a big crowd at the Paddock.
See you at the Paddock, for the 1s and the 3s game (v Askean) on Saturday.
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
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 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!
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!
First XV v Canterbury team sheet for Saturday 2 September at The Paddock
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!
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
.
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
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
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
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