Oaks show good form and win pre-season trophy

As part of their pre-season preparations, Oaks traveled to Grasshoppers RFC in London to take part in a tournament containing nine other teams.  The format would see the men from Knole Paddock play 24 minute games against sides that were of similar league status.

The conditions were bright for the first match against Reading Abbey and Oaks got quickly into their stride with some devastating counter attack play, with Sean Derrick to the fore.  Indeed it was no.8 Derrick who scored the try of the game, picking up the ball in his own half from a kick-off before slicing through defenders before stepping the full back and sprinting in from 40 yards.  It was a good start with no tries conceded and five scored, with Adams adding the extras on three occasions. 

The second game saw Oaks take on late replacements to the tournament in the form of Ashford.  Oaks had won twice handsomely when the sides met in the league last season, but took time to get into their stride, until the deadlock was broken by Winter.  Ashford defended well and Oaks were making small frustrating errors.  It was Derrick again who forced his way over and Oaks rounded off proceedings with two more scores before the final whistle, with new man Edwards getting his name on the scoreboard after some solid work from the forwards.

                                                                                   Oaks warm up ahead of the first game

Oaks then faced their stiffest test so far in High Wycombe.  After Adams dotted down in the corner, he was to get six throughout the tournament, Oaks were to concede their first points of the day and went behind after High Wycombe converted a penalty.

The structure that new coach Adam Bowman is putting into place then started to come into play and rather than panicking, the men in blue and gold started to play with the accuracy and ruthlessness that had eluded them in the first half.  New man Dan Phoenix, who had an outstanding day, cut a beautiful line off skipper Stu Coleman to send Oaks into the lead and with Adams converting, victory was assured.

The final league match would determine who would go into the Final to play the winners of the other side of the draw.  The hosts were the opposition and it was another new man, Shadyn Osgood who stamped his authority on the game from centre.  After putting two big hits in midfield, Osgood also showed his attacking prowess and sprinted in from fifty metres out for the try of the match.  Oaks were starting to hit their straps, and despite conceding one score, they were now playing with a confidence and cruised into the Final with three more tries.

The Final saw Oaks drawn against Sutton and Epsom, who were promoted from London 1 South to National 3 South at the end of last season.  Oaks were out of the blocks quickly and played hard, physical and direct rugby, with half-backs Goodhew and Winter conducting play well.  It was Osgood who broke the deadlock, after Oaks had swung the ball from side to side, some good hands in the centre of the field saw the big centre head over in the corner.  Adams converted with an excellent touchline conversion. 

Two minutes later and Oaks were at it again, this time with Jonny Briggs finishing off some fine hands in the backs after good work up from John Henley.  Oaks were buzzing.

What will please the coaching staff is the relentless attitude shown by the team in the Final and this was epitomised with the next score.  Almost immediately off the kick-off,  Oaks secured ball in midfield, Winter and Phoenix combined to swing the ball to the right wing where Adams was standing.  Taking the ball at pace, the young winger, who has clearly worked hard in the off-season, chipped ahead and won the footrace the the bouncing ball and sprint in under the sticks.  His conversion would be the final score of the day, as Oaks showed aggressive defence and composure in a strong wind to see out the game 21-0.

In summary, it was a very good performance against strong opposition and showed that the hard work that Oaks have been putting in over pre-season is bearing dividends.

After the Final, Head Coach Adam Bowman commented 'It's been an excellent day and I'm really pleased with how we have performed.  We have steadily improved and the level of rugby in the Final was where we want to be.  It's always tough at tournaments because of the break in between games, but it was so well run here we weren't waiting around at all.  This was a real squad effort with each and every man making telling contributions.'

'As I said after last week's match against Medway, there's lots to work on still.  Our accuracy in the first couple of matches wasn't really there, but overall I'm really pleased.  We have a week's break now and that will give us good time to work on a number of areas within our game.  A big thank you to the tournament organisers at Grasshoppers for their work and also to the supporters who battled through the M25 to give us support.'

Squad: J.Walker, D.Power, B.Martyr, S.Sedgewick, J.Simmons, M.Simmons, J.Henley, S.Coleman (C), M.Dodd, W.De-Smith, S.Derrick, S.McCorry, A.Suttill, S.Goodhew, I.Winter, O.Shirtcliff, D.Phoenix, S.Osgood, S.Tree, A.Edwards, B.Adams, J.Short, J.Briggs

Oaks take a break now before their first games of the season on September 3rd, with the 1st XV taking on Gosport and Fareham at home and the 2s away at Tunbridge Wells.

                                          Captain Stuart Coleman with the Grasshoppers Pre-Season Tournament winners trophy

Oaks enjoy stern test at Medway

The Sevenoaks Senior Squad enjoyed their first pre-season test away at Medway, with a number of new and returning faces making key contributions.

Playing in four twenty minute blocks, the game gave the coaching department an opportunity to try new combinations and put into practice some of the hard work from the previous six weeks of training.

It was the hosts that started brightly with a large share of the possession, but each and every time they were met by aggressive and clinical Oaks defence, led by the back row of Henley, Sinclair and De Smith.  Not to be outdone by his former Skinners school mate De Smith, the returning no. 9 Goodhew made a number of crucial turnovers that allowed Oaks to relieve pressure.

Indeed it was the visitors who were to break the deadlock and after Shirtcliff had moved the play down field with a couple of telling kicks, Oaks worked their way to an attacking platform in the 22.  With clinical back play, moving through a number of hands, it was the speedster Weston who dashed over to give Oaks the lead.

After a number of heavy midfield tussles, just before the twenty minute break, after a number of minutes knocking at the defensive door, Medway managed to create an overlap, working a three on two which they clinically finished.

Oaks started the second quarter brightly, and after more good hands in the backs, particularly from wing Karg, Shirtcliff showed a clean pair of heals to round his man and go over.  However, the referee deemed that the grounding was not clean, and Medway were awarded a 5 metre scrum to relieve pressure.  Encouraging signs saw the axis of Suttill and Shirtcliff working well, whilst Rugg and Edwards were looking a dangerous attacking threat.

Oaks once again showed resolute defence and went ahead again after a good drive at the lineout which saw hooker Sedgewick dab the ball over the line. It was just reward for the man who, along with Matt Dodd, was a consistent thorn in the oppositions side all day.

Disappointingly though,  Oaks switched off in the final five minutes of the first half, and Medway barrelled their way over to bring the score level once more.

The third quarter saw the home side take control and show the young Oaks what intensity is needed at London 1 level, scoring three well taken tries, including a penalty try.

The final quarter saw Oaks come back into the game and create their best spell of the occasion.  After bursts up the field which included some good offloading between De Smith, Short and Goodhew, the Oaks gained an attacking scrum ten metres out.  After holding a strong Medway scrum well, Oaks backs showed some sumptuous skill in the backs, as Tree and Shirtcliff worked an opening for Jamie Owen, who cruised in under the posts for the score of the game.

Following on from the match, Head Coach Adam Bowman commented 'Today gave us an opportunity to try new combinations and see where we are in our development.  I was really pleased with lots of aspects, against a strong Medway side.  However, we are always striving to improve and we have lots to work on in training over the next few weeks.'

'I want to thank Taff Gwilliam and his team for today.  Talking after the game, we both agreed it was exactly what both sides needed - a good hard game of rugby with both sides wanting to play some attacking play.  We now move onto the Grasshoppers next week, which will pose another challenge for the squad'.

Oaks head to the Grasshoppers tournament next week, which will pose the last test ahead of the first league games of the season, when the 1st play Gosport and Fareham at home, and the 2nd take on Tunbridge Wells away.

Squad: D.Power, S.Sedgewick, T. Simmons, J.Simmons, A. Rolfe, O. Boatwright-Smith, S. Coleman (C), M. Dodd, R. Philpot, D. Sinclair, W. De-Smith, J. Henley, S. Goodhew, A. Suttill, O. Shirtcliff, I. Winter, H.Rugg, A.Edwards, S.Tree, J. Short, C.Karg, M. Weston, O.Dinsmore, J. Owen

London 1 awaits for victorious Oaks

Sevenoaks 37 London Cornish 31

Last Saturday saw Oaks welcome London Cornish to Knole Paddock for their eagerly anticipated promotion play off fixture, the prize at stake, London 1 rugby next season. Both sides have had tremendous seasons but their year would be defined for all 38 players, coaches, managers, physios and fans by 80 minutes of almost unbearable tension that would end in joy for the victor and despair for the vanquished.  

In the opening stanza, Oaks embraced the pressure of the day, played high tempo expansive rugby and opened up a substantial early lead that had the home faithful believing that it was not a question of who would win but by how many. Outside half Winter, back for the first time in a month and still only half fit (If he was a horse they would have shot him)  opened up holes almost at will with his canny distribution skills. Scores from Coleman, Anderson and a brace for Academy starlet Adams, who turned from a sapling to a fully fledged Oak before everybody’s disbelieving eyes.  Due to Winters uncooperative knee, Adams also had to take over the kicking duties. The fact that he kicked five from seven on the day proved this Oak has got some sizeable Acorns too. As the whistle blew for half time Oaks lead had stretched out to an impressive 29-9. Job done………..or was it?

Over the sucking of the proverbial half time orange, London Cornish, who had only three penalties and a dysfunctional lineout to show for their efforts, decided to put their underpants on outside their shorts and come out in the second half and play like Supermen. Early pressure in the Oaks twenty two led to a string of penalties and the inevitable yellow card and ten minutes on the naughty step for centre Vaihu. In the next twelve or so minutes Cornish ran in three tries, the last of which was a fine solo effort. 

Oaks brains were now well and truly scrambled, sphincters tightened at an alarming rate in the crowd, the stroll in the park had turned into the rugby equivalent of climbing Everest, in flip flops whilst carrying a fridge. Game very much on. Oaks emptied their bench of a tenacious pair of young Simmons, a Dodd and a May. Panic not quite over but the patient was definitely coming round. 

Oaks regained the initiative through the rather large and capable hands of Anderson who was in all probability the best in show on the day. His score in the corner edged Oaks out to a 34-28 lead. The defining moment of the day came shortly after as winger Adams, who wouldn’t cut an imposing figure in the U10’s, strode forward and notched a penalty to take the lead to over one score. There was a large and universal exhaling of breath as the ball sailed over the black dot.

Much to your correspondent’s consternation and totally unlike the script I had in mind, Cornish came back YET AGAIN. Awarded a penalty in the final minute, just inside their own half, the Cornish skipper eschewed the kick to touch and summoned his kicker to go for the posts. With his size 10’s loaded with Semtex, he boomed the ball into orbit and over the uprights. 37-31.

With time just enough for the restart, a small town in West Kent collectively held its breath as the final few phases played out. The final knock on brought a final whilst and delirium to all those of a blue and gold persuasion. A great game, played by two excellent teams in exactly the right spirit. 

In the any game there can only be one winner, which is why we keep score and today Captain Robinson, who had the calmest head in the house and his men held sway with a deserved win. London Cornish will undoubtedly dust themselves off, keep the Y Fronts outside the shorts and come hard again next year. Good luck to them.

Oaks sneak past a dogged Old Colfeians

Old Colfeians 18 Sevenoaks 23

Last Saturday saw Oaks travel to South East London for their last away fixture of the season. With Oaks needing four points to secure home advantage in the promotion play off match on April 30th the management took the brave decision to rest several starters and give niggling injuries time to heal. 

With the Colfe’s 1st XV pitch already undergoing drainage work in preparation for next season, the match was moved to their training pitch, which is roughly the size of a generous vegetable patch, unless you are growing cauliflowers, in which case it is officially too small.  This ensured the depleted Oaks squad were in for a tough, tense afternoon as there was so little space to move the ball and play running rugby.

Predictably the afternoon was to prove to be one for either the committed supporter or the connoisseur. With thirty large human beings crammed into space more suited to a game of ‘Sardines’ it should come as no surprise that both well drilled defences ruled the roost for most of the day. The major beneficiaries were the kickers who gently lob the ball over the black dot from the half way line. The only two tries on the day came from Oaks winger Dodd, the first from a well taken line that split the home defence asunder, the second through sheer cussedness as he barrelled over from close quarters.

Oaks lead 13-9 at the break but managed to get on the wrong side of the official in the second half and briefly trailed with only a few minutes left on the clock as the excellent OC’s kicker made hay. Enter Dodd who rounded off some excellent work from lock Anderson, undoubtedly Oaks man of the day. Adams converted expertly from the touchline and the points were heading back to Knole Paddock.

Coach Vaughan commented ‘It was a poor game, played in poor conditions, but at this stage of the season we will happily take the four points however they come. A number of young lads stood up to the task today against a well drilled and physical OC’s team who you know will always give you a tough game. We now move on to Darfordians at home next Saturday before the final test against London Cornish on the 30th’.

Squad

Naismith

Vizard

Power

Anderson

Coleman

Baldock

Robinson

Sedgwick

Streather

Saunders

Beale C

Vaihu

Tree

Dodd

Adams

Simmons T

Mckerlie

Aspinall

Wells too strong for battling Oaks

Sevenoaks 20 Tunbridge Wells 40

Oaks welcomed league champions elect, TWRFC  to the Paddock last Saturday for their latest encounter in London SE2. The earlier fixture this season at St Marks was a tense edgy affair that could have gone either way, however,  Wells were strong favourites to pick up the win in the return fixture.

With eyes firmly fixed on their promotion play off on April 30th, Oaks Coach Vaughan rang the changes and named six players aged 20 or under in the squad.  Oaks needed to keep the contest tight for as long as possible in the hope of taking something from the game and as the sides turned round with Wells leading by 12-6, the home faithful still had hope of taking points from the game. However, a strong second half from the visitors saw them hit full stride and stretch away for a comfortable 40-20 win, scoring several long range tries. Oaks' only consolation on the day came in the form of tries from Vaihu and a particularly popular score by the tireless flanker Sedgwick.   

After the match Coach Vaughan commented ‘Wells are an excellent side and worthy league champions. They have strengthened their squad well as the season has progressed. For us, the game today was a bit of a distraction as we are really focussed on the three game ‘mini season’ we have between now and the end of April. Whilst we are definitely in the play game on the 30th we need a couple more wins to secure home field advantage against in all probability London Cornish. A lot of the younger guys will have learnt much from the experience today and this will stand us in good stead for the coming weeks. Hopefully, with a couple of weeks rest, we can get a few players back for the Colfes game on the 16th April and start to build up some momentum towards that all important promotion fixture.’

Team

1 Naismith

2 Vizard

3 Power

4 Thorpe

5 Anderson

6 Naismith T

7 Sedgwick

8 Robinson

9 Shirtcliff

10 Winter

11 Barry

12 Vaihu

13 Tree

14 Adams

15 Bates

16 McKerlie

17 Aspinall

18 Baldock

Oaks guarantee promotion play off with win at Old Alleynians

Old Alleynians 14 Sevenoaks 32

Oaks travelled into South London on Saturday to take on an Old Alleynians side who have found life tough going in their first season of London 2SE  action. Oaks, needing just a point to guarantee a promotion play off berth,  took the decision to rest  players this weekend in light of the daunting fixture schedule they face over the coming weeks. 

OA’s playing with the wind in the first half started much the better of the two teams and registered the first points of the day with a well worked set play that saw their outside centre dot down under the black dot unopposed. Oaks were lethargic and imprecise in everything they did for the first twenty minutes and looked nothing like the league’s leading point scorers this term. Oaks were shaken from their state of torpor by the youngest member of their squad, 18yr old winger Adams who crafted an outstanding try from nothing, beating three defenders on route to the line, Winter added the extras and  two penalties to give Oaks the lead which he then extended further with a try of his own. 18-7 to Oaks at the half.  

Despite harsh words being said at half time Oaks continued to play without due care and attention and barely struggled out of second gear. OA’s desperately needing points to avoid dropping into the relegation battle gave it their all and scored their second converted try of the day to close the score to 18-14 to the visitors. This finally spurred the boys from the Paddock into action and they allowed third gear to kick in. Two tries from Thorpe and Vaihu, both converted by Winter quickly followed putting the game away. At the final whistle Oaks had secured a 32-14 bonus point win and added another fixture to their season in the shape of a promotion play off game on April 30th.

After the match 1st XV Manager Jon Muchmore commented ‘That was not a pretty game to watch on a terrible pitch that any self respecting  Friesian would turn their nose up at.. We seemed to already have eyes firmly fixed on the double header against T Wells and mentally we struggled to find any focus. The big plus point from today was the excellent performance from Ben Adams. Ben is a young lad just making his way in the senior game and the little bit of quality he showed to craft our first try only reinforces my opinion that he can be a very good player for us and a fixture in the team for many years to come. We have given him a few opportunities this term and whilst he is still raw and lacks a bit of physicality he has that one vital ingredient for a back three player, raw pace’.

Team

1 Naismith

2 Richardson

3 Power

4 Thorpe

5 Coleman

6 Baldock

7 Vizard

8 Robinson

9 Shirtcliff

10 Winter

11 Adams

12 Vaihu

13 Tree

14 Saunders

15 Streather

16 Aspinall

17 Dodd

18 Anderson

Oaks' winning streak at home continues

Sevenoaks 34 Beckenham 5

Oaks welcomed LSE2 rivals Beckenham to The Paddock on Saturday knowing that victory would stretch Captain Robinsons men’s winning streak at home to over a year.  However, in the previous three meetings between the two sides since Beckenhams relegation at the end of the 13/14 season, there had been little to choose between the teams and a close spikey affair was in the offing for the home town faithful.

Beckenham would have started the season as a popular pick of many to be involved the end of term promotion race but a little bit of inconsistency has seen them fall back into the mid table pack. However, playing with the conditions in the first half, they started much the better of the two teams and managed to register the first score of the day with their winger going over in the corner after a five minute period of sustained pressure that saw them set up camp in the Oaks twenty two. Game on.

Oaks response to this early setback was swift and defined the narrative for the remaining seventy minutes of the game. The larger beasts in the Oaks pack took up the cudgels and ran hard and straight through the midfield channels, drawing in defenders before releasing quick ball for the backs to expose the space created out wide. Before the half, Oaks scored four tries through Naismith, Adams, Unwin and Winter. Winter picked a good time to have an unusually quiet day with the boot landing only two from eight on a day when wind and underfoot conditions were the kickers enemy .  This left Oaks leading 22-5 at the half, bonus point secured, job nearly done.

As the second half progressed, Oaks stranglehold on the game tightened further as they imposed themselves on a tiring opposition. Further scores for Thorpe and a second score from winger Adams were added and a number of other opportunities were missed, in no small part due to the somewhat grim conditions. Oaks reward for their determination to keep playing regardless of the elements was a comfortable 34-5 win against doughty and committed opponents.

After the match Coach Vaughan commented ‘I was delighted with the effort from the team today. We are at that time of year, with games coming thick and fast, when the depth of your squad is really tested and you can get the odd upset. We showed a good level of composure and a real will to win against tough opposition who kept going until the end. We move onto the visit of London Exiles, who are a bit of an unknown quantity, to The Paddock next Saturday in the next round of the Cup in good spirits and hopefully we can replicate this level of performance’

Team

1 Naismith

2 Richardson

3 Power

4 Anderson

5 Coleman

6 Thorpe

7 Sedgwick

8 Robinson

9 Streather

10 Winter

11 Adams

12 Vaihu

13 Unwin

14 Dodd

15 Bates

16 Simmons T

17 Shirtcliff

18 Baldock

Cup run beckons for Oaks

Sevenoaks 30 Cobham 13

Last Saturday saw Oaks welcome London South West table toppers Cobham to Knole Paddock for the latest round of the Intermediate Cup. The Surrey side look locks for automatic promotion in the league but should they trip up over the final few weeks of the season this game could be viewed as a dress rehearsal for the league play off at the end of April. 

Oaks played with the conditions in the first half and the game took off at a frenetic pace with both sides looked to use the ball and explore all four corners of the Paddock. As the half progressed Oaks gradually built their lead, a try from Vaihu and two penalties and a conversion from outside half Winter saw Oaks take a 13-0 lead before Cobham struck back with a try to make the HT score 13-5 to the home side. Oaks were by now down to fourteen for ten minutes as Thorpe had to spend ten minutes on the naughty step for some injudicious use of the shoe, as a Cobham defender booked in for bed and breakfast on the wrong side of the ruck.

With the visitors now playing with the wind at their backs the burning question was did Oaks have enough of a lead to see them into the next round? The home faithful needn’t have troubled themselves as Oaks concussive defence took control of proceedings. Oaks also chose to keep the ball in hand wherever possible and registered two more tries through Saunders and Dodd to open up a seemingly comfortable 25-8 lead. Both sides exchanged one more try apiece before the final whistle, with the Oaks effort coming from substitute winger Adams, to make the final score 30-13 for the ‘Kentish Men’.

After the match coach Vaughan commented ‘That was a great game of rugbyto which both sides contributed greatly. Our defence was excellent and I thought we had a little bit of our snap back behind the scrum this week. The Simmons brothers, one making his first start and the other making his senior debut for the club, were outstanding and will be in time the bedrock of our pack for years to come. We wish Cobham well as they are a tremendous side who we will hopefully see again in London 1 next season. They are almost there and we now need to refocus on league matters to try and join them. We have had a tough run of late with bumps and bruises but again today the players who have come into the team have done a great job, selection for next Saturday will be tough’

Team

1 Simmons J

2 Vizard 

3 Power

4 Anderson

5 Coleman

6 Thorpe

7 Baldock

8 Robinson

9 Streather

10 Winter

11 Saunders

12 Vaihu

13 Unwin

14 Dodd

15 Bates

16 Simmons T

17 Richardson

18Sedgwick

19 Adams