Sevenoaks Rugby 36 Chichester 17
Sevenoaks Rugby Club 1st XV made it thirteen wins from thirteen home games with an assured 36-17 victory over Chichester on Saturday at Knole Paddock. The bonus point win sees Oaks return to the top of London 1 South, on the same points as Camberley but with a better win record.
Oaks Leighton Ralph goes over for an Oaks score. Photo Credit: David Purday
This Saturday is the final round of League matches and a bonus point win at their opponents Thurrock would guarantee Oaks promotion to London & South East Premier Division, a step up into Level 5 for the first time in the Club’s history.
Oaks were not quite at their imposing best on Saturday though when it clicked they showed all the hallmarks of a team on the up. Strong carries by the tight five and barn storming forays from the back row marshalled by Matt Holmes at the base earned the field position on which the first half tries were built. In the second half some highly impressive running lines and offloads helped secure the win. Oaks’ final try was fittingly dotted down by Captain Stuart Coleman to sign off the 1st XV’s season at Knole Paddock in style.
Chichester never stopped playing and took the game to Oaks. There was even one stage in the second half when a resurgence by Chi seemed strong enough to spoil the party altogether. This Oaks vintage responded in style and as has been evidenced since the get go this season, showed that it is made of solid stuff; a trade mark interception by Ben Adams in the second half to run the length of the field not only played its part in relieving the pressure but also bagged the try scoring bonus point.
The navy and golds’ first half tries were secured by Richard Adenyi-Jones and Scott Sedgwick for a 14-0 lead at the midway point before the second half saw a brace for Coleman, Leighton Ralph and the aforementioned Adams interception provide the perfect riposte and book ends to the Chichester come back.
The 1st XV result was one of many highlights from an outstanding weekend for Sevenoaks Rugby Club’s Seniors and Juniors. The 2s demolished TJs 62-0, the 3s had a roll over win after their oppo couldn’t muster a team that secured them League victory, and the 4th XV / Gents won at home versus Leigh RFC.
On Sunday the Juniors took Kent Cup endeavour to a new level, the Under 12s, the Under 13s and the Under 14s all won the Kent Cup to become Kent Champions at their respective levels; the Under 15s won the Kent Plate; the Under 16s Bs battled hard in the Kent Development Cup, and the Under 18s won the Kent 7s. The future of Oaks Rugby is looking very bright indeed.
On Saturday the Club will be heading to Thurrock RFC with a travelling contingent and welcomes all and every support available for the 3:00pm kick off.