The Sevenoaks RFC players, coaches and supporters will be satisfied to have secured 10 points from their first 3 games in National League 2 East. The team does not look out of place playing at the 4th level of English rugby, and along with Dorking RFC served up an entertaining encounter on Saturday. Playing on unfamiliar territory at Sevenoaks School, while the Oaks’ pitch remains a ‘work in progress’, they staged a comeback that spoke as much about character as tactics and skills. At the final whistle it was probably Sevenoaks who saw the result as 3 points gained, and Dorking 2 points lost, with the away team having led by 19 points after only 15 minutes. Both teams had given everything in a fierce contest serving up 8 tries, with neither able to find a winning score in the final exchanges. The men from the Paddock, whose squad depth is being tested by numerous early season injuries, had dug deep and deserved their reward.
The match opened with Dorking dominating. As they displayed in the two fixtures against Oaks last season, they are a dangerous side that moves the ball away from the ruck and out wide with great speed. It took them only 4 minutes to demonstrate this to score in the corner. 0 – 5, with the conversion missed. More Dorking pressure followed, for the D’s forwards to get the ball down near the posts, with the referee somehow deeming it a try under a pile of bodies. The try was converted, 0 – 12 after 12 minutes. A scrappy period of play followed with Oaks struggling to find any rhythm. After 15 minutes Oaks lost possession and the Dorking winger dribbled the ball over the line. After consulting his assistant, the referee awarded the try which was converted. 0 – 19. The first quarter of the game had belonged to Dorking, who deserved their lead.
Sevenoaks then slowly started to get into the game with some sustained territory, but with the visitors always threatening to break from deep. A mixture of strong defence and their own mistakes stopped Oaks getting on the scoreboard. However, pinned in their own red zone, Dorking increasingly infringed and eventually their second row was yellow carded. Oaks took the scrum, moved the ball through the hands for Shaydn Osgood to score under the posts. The try was converted by Ollie Shirtcliff; 7 – 19 after 39 minutes. The last action of the half saw a dog scampering from an offside position to disrupt the scrum. The half time whistle blew with no additional score.
Oaks, buoyed by their late first half score, took advantage of 15 versus 14, drew a number of penalties from Dorking and from a lineout, executed their ‘catch and drive’ drill for James Simmons to score after 44 minutes. Conversion missed, 12- 19. Momentum was with the home team but credit to Dorking who exerted immediate pressure, won the ball back from the kickoff and after an attacking lineout and scrum went over to score their 4th try. Converted to lead 12 – 26. It looked a long way back for the Oaks, but still with plenty of time.
Oaks responded and once again forced Dorking to infringe frequently. Another yellow card followed for them just before the hour. The home team pressure paid off, and after 65 minutes they turned the ball over shortly after a Dorking scrum and Charlie Corrigan went over to score. The try was converted to make it 19 – 26. Oaks then proceeded to play some of their best rugby, with the ball arriving for Jonny Short who, to the delight of the majority of the crowd scored near the posts for the bonus point try. Replacement 10, Jack Martin slotted the extras and the game was tied at 26 – 26. A thrilling final 10 minutes was to follow.
Both teams came close to finding a winning score, butDorking knocked on with the try line beckoning. Oaks seemedlikely to score from a lineout after a marvelous ‘50-22’ by back row Fred Richardson, but credit to the away team who disrupted sufficiently to keep Oaks out. The referee blew the final whistle, with a bit of whimper whereas the excitement deserved perhaps a more theatrical shrill, with honours even amongst two fine clubs.
Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Bowman said after the match “After a very poor 25 minutes in the first half where we trailed 0-19, I am really pleased with the reaction and character shown by the squad in the second half to come back to draw the game.”
Next week Oaks travel to meet Barnes.
Westcliff 12 vs. Sevenoaks 29
It was a proud day for Sevenoaks Rugby Club, playing for the first time in their history at rugby’s National Level 4. Cheered on by a large excited and slightly apprehensive travelling support, they saw their team make an understandably nervy start in the first quarter of the match, delighted at full time to have seen them run out comfortable winners; scoring 4 tries and earning 5 league points. Their opponents, who struggled last season at this level recording the leakiest defence and fewest points scored in the league, were committed adversaries. However, despite a good win for the men from Kent, the Oaks’ players and coaching staff know there are sterner tests ahead, requiring improvement in all round execution and performance. This league possesses some well funded clubs with rich histories of higher tier rugby, including Blackheath, visitors to the Paddock next Saturday.
The game itself was an error strewn affair, with both teams guilty of numerous knock-ons and misplaced passes from first whistle to last. The result, and Sevenoaks’ superiority for three-quarters of the game was largely because of the visitor’s impressive defensive line, suffocating their opponents’ attacking attempts. This led to territorial dominance and, despite too many mistakes for the coaching staff’s liking, plenty of scoring opportunities. On a day of greater accuracy and precision, the men from the Paddock could have recorded a significantly higher points tally.
The match kicked off on a warm breezy afternoon, and after a scrappy opening, Westcliff’s impressive 13 kicked over the Oaks’ defensive line and the ensuing chase saw them score in the corner. The try was converted; 7 – 0. The next 15 minutes saw any Oaks momentum stopped by their own mistakes and infringements at the breakdown, whilst Westcliff were unable to build on their early score. After 23 minutes Oaks kicked a penalty to the corner, executed a good catch and drive, moved the ball out wide but Drew Forrester knocked on when a try seemed likely. They had the penalty advantage and Jack Martin kicked a simple three points; 7-3.
Oaks were now gaining the upper hand, if not full control, and after being awarded two quick penalties, from deep in the Westcliff red zone the catch and drive worked well for them to score their first try of the game (and at Level 4!); with the honour going to Tom Simmons. Conversion missed, 7-8 after 35 minutes. Following the restart, Oaks quickly re-established good field position. There then followed an excellent line-break by skipper Nigel Gumbleton, with quickly recycled ball allowing Brandon Thomson to crash over to score. The try was converted to make the half time score 7-15. As both teams left the field, the result was still in the balance, but Oaks had started to establish superiority, with Westcliff unable to secure any dangerous attacking momentum.
The second half was characterised by almost total territorial dominance by the away team with Westcliff making an attacking inroad into the Oaks’ half on only one occasion. It was a disciplined and intense defensive performance by the Kent team, with Shaydn Osgood’s hits in the 13 channel and out wide hugely impressive. However, with ball in hand the Oaks’ mistakes continued but despite this, after 42 minutes Nigel Gumbleton charged down a home team kick, and Scott Sedgwick picked up the loose ball to run 35 metres to score. Try converted 7-22. There then followed that rare Westcliffe second half foray, another excellent chip-kick and after several good phases the ball went out wide for a score. Conversion missed, 12-22. The remainder of the match saw Oaks pinning their opponents in their own half, creating but spurning scoring opportunities, including a harsh disallowed try for obstruction at the ruck. It was only with the last play of the game, with Jonny Short seeing space in front of him for the first time, sprinting 35 metres, were Oaks able to score their bonus point try. Olli Shirtcliffe converted to make the final score 12-29 to the visitors.
After the match Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Bowman said “we are absolutely delighted with the result and the five points, albeit the very rusty performance. Looking forward to our first home game of the season next week against Blackheath Rugby Club”.
For the Oaks’ first home fixture of the season, the visitors will be Blackheath. All support welcome on an historic day for the club. For those of you who want to check of the final score online, Sevenoaks’ matches have reached the heady heights of the BBC Sports website!!
Sevenoaks 37 vs. Hertford 17
Sevenoaks First XV, already assured promotion, successfully navigated the challenge of an excellent Hertford team to clinch the London and South-East Premier league title at the Paddock on a bright blustery day in front of a large vociferous crowd. Whilst the final score doesn’t reflect fairly what was a very tight match until the 72ndminute, from when Oaks scored three quick tries in response to the visitors taking the lead, remarkably they delivered their sixteenth consecutive victory with typical clinical finishing, strong defence and a low error count. It was the ‘stuff of champions’ in face of an opposition they pressured into making mistakes, but who carried a scoring threat from anywhere on the pitch with blistering pace and attacking intent. It was a very special day for Sevenoaks Rugby club, elevated to the National League level for the first time in their history. With only three defeats all season, two ahead of their nearest rivals, the best defence in the league and the second-best total points scored, few can deny they are worthy league winners.
As the players, coaches, back-room staff and supporters celebrated on and around the pitch, there was recognition that this fantastic success had been a team effort in the widest sense.
The day began early with a buzz of anticipation around the clubhouse, supporters gathering in cautious celebratory mood for drinks and lunch (with record numbers fed and watered by the wonderful catering and bar teams!), but respectful there was a serious game of rugby ahead, facing a highly motivated Hertford team with an outside chance of promotion themselves. As the game kicked off, Sevenoaks had the assistance of the strong wind. After some early territory by the home team, it was Hertford who looked the more dangerous, particularly out wide; choosing to run an early penalty, exerting pressure and from a lineout picked up the loose ball to score in the corner; conversion missed 0-5 after 7 minutes.
A good response from Oaks, with Hertford starting to make mistakes, gaining territory and pressuring the visitors’ scrum half, charging down a clearing kick, for Matt Holmes to follow up to score. On a difficult day for place kickers, Ben Adams converted to make the score 7-5 after 14 minutes. Even exchanges followed but Oaks broke away only for the retreating Hertford defence to offend on the floor. Ben kicked the points and the home team led 10-5 after 18 minutes. Just 2 minutes later, having snuffed out the immediate Hertford breakaway, Oaks countered, and the visitors infringed again, this time on the halfway line. Ben Adams had a kick to make it 13 -5, successfully achieved, and take his personal tally to over 300 points for the season.
Hertford then failed to take advantage of a period of pressure, with their lineout misfiring and Oaks defending fiercely to force errors and then break away to threaten the try line. From one of those breaks, back-row Sean Derrick made good ground out wide, Oaks went through the phases and once again the men from Hertfordshire were penalised now in front of the posts; kicked to make the score 16-5, after 37 minutes. With half time approaching, the men from the Paddock had edged the encounter without having sustained control of the game and Hertford deservedly scored their second try, running the ball at every opportunity, to touch down in the corner. The conversion, near impossible into the teeth of the wind, fell short. The half time whistle blew, the match in the balance with Oaks leading 16-10.
The second half saw Hertford have good periods of territory and possession, making some scintillating breaks, with Oaks counterattacking and Shadyn Osgood achieving some fearsome yardage for the home team. The game became open and a little scrappy with both teams frequently being penalised for offences at the breakdown. Hertford, taking a scrum when Oaks were penalised, built pressure, moved the ball quickly through the hands to find a hole in the Oaks’ defence, to score under the posts. A well-earned try, converted to take the lead, 16-17 with less than 10 minutes remaining. With the Paddock party in danger of falling flat, Oaks then delivered what they have done on numerous occasions this season; an increase in tempo and physicality, attacking flair and a ruthlessness when scoring opportunities arose.
Straight from the restart, Hertford’s clearance was returned by Josh Livett, who fed Pat Pellegrini who collected his own chip-kick, passed to Ben Adams who scored under the posts.; converted to regain the lead, 23-17. Then a break by Awa Morris, quick recycled ball, with an overlap on the right making a try certain, a Hertford hand knocked the ball on deliberately and the referee awarded a penalty try; the game was in effect won at 30-17. There was still time for more attacking forays from both teams, but it was Sevenoaks’ Jonny Short who found space to burst past the Hertford defence to score. Pat Pellegrini kicked the conversion, making the final score 37-17. Hertford could understandably bemoan the margin of their defeat, given the evenness of the match for long periods, but not the result overall.
After the match a jubilant and slightly emotional Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Bowman said “what a game that was, both teams giving it everything to win the game. This has been a real squad effort and I am incredibly proud of everyone involved and what we have all achieved.”
A famous season ends and, after celebrations and a well-deserved break for players and staff, attention will turn to the 2022/23 season.
Maidenhead 15 vs. Sevenoaks 22
It is a measure of how far Sevenoaks has come to be able to win when not playing well, and be disappointed, despite confirming their place at the fourth level of national rugby next season, not to have gained the bonus point confirming them as league winners. That must wait for two weeks’ time, when the men from the Paddock play Hertford at home, requiring only one point to be crowned champions.
The coaching staff, team and whole club should be immensely proud of their achievement, in what is only their third season in the London & SE Premier league, with one of those incomplete as a result of Covid. Oaks will be the first to admit, Saturday saw one of their least impressive performances of the season against a much-improved Maidenhead side deserving credit for pressurising Oaks into making numerous errors and offering a real scoring threat themselves, in a game played in the glare of the sun on a fast 4G pitch. In truth, the home team will rue a missed penalty that would have given them the lead with only five minutes remaining and the bouncing ball just beating their chasing backs, running out of play beyond the Oaks’ in-goal area late in the game, which may have given them an unassailable lead. That said, the Kent men did enough, showing the character that has been their trademark throughout the campaign. Their usual lineout reliability and attacking precision was not as it has been, but they held their nerve, scoring their third try with the last play of the game to confirm victory. A nerve-wracking day concluding with promotion confirmed.
The game kicked with neither team able to build momentum or control, both frequently penalised at the breakdown and committing too many handling errors. Oaks had a marginal territorial advantage for the first quarter but failed to capitalise from their attacking lineouts. A breakaway by Maidenhead, a characteristic throughout the game, and Oaks’ Ben Adams showcasing his football skills with a thirty-metre dribble towards the try line, were the closest both teams came to scoring until the 23rd minute. After a period of pressure, from a scrum, Oaks went through their familiar pick-and-go processes, this time without error, with Matt McRae scoring; the try converted to lead 0-7.
Unfortunately, some loose kicking by the visitors gave Maidenhead momentum, but they failed to convert a three-point penalty opportunity after 28 minutes. However, they maintained territory and from a scrappy lineout of their own found a big gap in the Oaks’ defence to score a try. The conversion was missed; 5-7. On 35 minutes an Oaks’ attacking lineout went astray, the home team broke forcing the Kent men into committing a series of infringements in their own half, the last close enough for Maidenhead to take the three points. The half time whistle blew with Maidenhead leading 8-7, leaving the field believing they could win, whilst Oaks knew a step up in precision and intensity would be needed in the second half.
Unfortunately, a knock on immediately from the kickoff invited pressure in the Oaks’ 22, leading to a yellow card to Drew Forrester for not rolling away. From the penalty, a lineout followed, and Maidenhead scored in the corner; the try converted for them to lead 15-7 after 43 minutes.
There followed a good response from Oaks, who broke the line, arriving in front of the Maidenhead posts, the home team to be pinged for not rolling away. Turning down the three points, Oaks kept the pressure on, a yellow card was awarded to the Maidenhead number 4 for pulling down the maul and eventually a cross-field kick by Oaks’ fly-half Patrick Pellegrini was caught by Ben Adams to score; converted 15-14 after 50 minutes.
The next 15 minutes saw Oaks on top, making several half breaks and having a number of try scoring opportunities near the home team’s line. However, too many errors at crucial times, combined with poor decision making stopped the points arriving. Maidenhead rallied, but this time Oaks broke away, the home team infringed, and Ben Adams gave his team a narrow 15-17 lead with a successful penalty kick: 71 minutes.
The game entered its final phase with a yellow card awarded to the Maidenhead prop for a high tackle. Oaks’ attacking play followed but again they were penalised when going forward near the home team’s line, relieving pressure and keeping the game in the balance. Maidenhead took advantage and broke up field to win two penalties in quick succession, leaving them a late three-point opportunity, which they missed. Relief for Oaks, followed by a superb break by Pellegrini leading to winning a penalty in front of the posts. Bizarrely the men from the Paddock kicked for touch instead of taking a certain five-point lead, and it nearly cost them dear as Maidenhead scrummed down under their own posts, broke out and kicked a loose ball 60 metres up to, and beyond, the Oaks in-goal area. A let-off for the visitors. The final play of the game saw Oaks move the ball well across the backs for Ben Adams to score. The conversion was missed, and Sevenoaks claimed a nervy 15-22 victory.
After the game Director of Rugby Adam Bowman said “credit to Maidenhead, they performed very well today and really put us under a huge amount of pressure. We were below par today, far too many errors and our game management was poor. That said, we ground out an important win which means we are officially promoted. This is a huge achievement, and everyone involved should be incredibly proud of what we have achieved this season.”
A break for Easter, and then Sevenoaks will be at home to Hertford for the final game of the season, in search of one more point secure top position in the table.
Sevenoaks 53 vs. Tring 13
Sandwiched between a few moments of early Tring territory and their consolation try in the 80th minute, the Paddock supporters witnessed total domination by Oaks in this London & SE Premier fixture. In scoring 9 tries they secured a 5-point win and, as result of scores elsewhere, extended their lead at the top of the league to 5 points. Even their normally phlegmatic Director of Rugby and Head Coach; he of ‘one game at a time, just concentrate on the next job’; must admit their 14th consecutive victory leaves them on the brink of promotion. A bonus try victory away to Maidenhead next weekend will see them promoted and crowned champions.
On Saturday they faced a spirited Tring side, who brought a physical game. Most importantly all Oaks’ supporters will be sending their best wishes to the Tring number 8, who left the field after a long period of treatment for a suspected neck injury.
Tring kicked an early penalty to lead 3 -0 and Oaks then proceeded to dominate territory and possession, creating a number of try-scoring opportunities. Frustration was evident, particularly amongst the home sides’ backs, as decision making was little awry and final passes failed to go to hand with the try line beckoning. That early lack of precision was soon repaired on 14 minutes as Matt Holmes dotted down for the first try, following a bursting run by Fred Richardson; 5-3, conversion missed. On 24 minutes Tring cleared with the boot, allowing Patrick Pellegrini to counter at pace, pass to Ben Adams, who fed Drew Narbey-Nimeti who passed to Drew Forrester to score their second try, conversion missed 10-5.
The Oaks’ lineout was in near-perfect order this week, delivering the platform for a number of scores throughout the afternoon. The first of those and the Oaks’ third arrived after 33 minutes from a lineout catch and drive and Fred Richardson scoring; converted 17-3. The 4th try and bonus point came with the final play of the half, again from quick lineout delivery, rapid transfer of the ball across the backs and Josh Livett scoring. Half time and Oaks led 24 -6, with Tring recognising they would have more defending to do in the second half. The big home crowd were expecting more exciting flowing rugby for the next 40 minutes.
They weren’t to be disappointed as Oaks scored 5 more tries in the second half. The game became a little unstructured, and maybe the men from the Paddock, understandably, were guilty of overplaying at times, but backing their physical dominance and ball skills, the points kept coming. On 50 minutes, from another lineout and break by Fred Richardson who nearly scored, Pellegrini threw a huge outside pass to Ben Adams who scored in the corner. Conversion missed, 26-6. Then on 62 minutes Ben Adams countered from another Tring kick, putting in Scott Sedgewick; converted 36 -6.
With Oaks now throwing the ball around from deep, they broke up field allowing Ben Adams to score the 7th try; 41-6. 5 minutes later another catch and drive from the umpteenth penalty kick to touch, the forwards rumbled over to make it 41-6. The final home team try of the day went to Drew Forrester who finished of another free-flowing move starting in their own half, with interchanges between backs and forward releasing the winger to score. The try was converted to take the Oaks to 53 points.
The final scoring word of the day went to Tring who had a period of pressure, a succession of penalties and scored in the corner, converted to take them to 13 points.
Next week, Oaks will make the trip to Maidenhead for what they hope will be a season defining result.
Dorking 29 vs. Sevenoaks 35
Deep into added time, after 80 minutes of high-quality rugby served up by the best two teams in the London and SE Premier league, the game remained in the balance. Trailing by six points, camped on the Sevenoaks five metre line, Dorking’s forwards lunged for the try line, successfully grounding the ball against the base of the post, only for the referee correctly to award a scrum to Oaks for accidental offside. Amongst the one thousand supporters in attendance on a glorious sunny day, Oaks followers expressed both relief and joy, whilst the Ds faithful disappointment, as the final play of the game followed, with Oaks kicking the ball out to conclude what had been a pulsating match.
Sevenoaks and Dorking rugby clubs had showcased community rugby at its best, both on and off the pitch. Earlier in the afternoon the second XVs had played out a thrilling 38-38 draw; and whilst the Oaks first XV won the day 35-29, the fine margins seen in the closing phases of the game had been evident throughout the contest. Both teams deserve huge credit, offering first-class entertainment based on their unrelenting physical commitment and rugby skills executed at a breath-taking pace. Sevenoaks deserved their victory, as the more clinical team in attack, backed up by resilient red zone defending but unusually for them, allowing midfield defensive gaps that won’t please their coaches, giving Dorking some easy yards and points.
Nevertheless, this victory moved the men from the Paddock to top slot in the league table and with only three games remaining and two teams promoted at the end of the season, elevation to Level 4, if not yet secured, is in sight.
Dorking kicked off down the slope, with the wind at their backs and won an early penalty for offside. Showing their intent, they kicked to touch rather than taking the points but were repelled by the Oaks’ defence. The home team pressure continued, rewarded after 8 minutes when forcing a turnover and picking up the ball following an exchange of kicks, to score in the corner; converted 7-0. Another penalty followed for Dorking who this time went for the three points but were off target.
Sevenoaks grew into the game forcing Dorking to infringe at the breakdown and after 22 minutes kicked to touch, rumbled forward with a penalty advantage again, fed Patrick Pellegrini who jinked passed a surprisingly open home defence to score under the posts; converted 7-7. A repeat lineout and backs move almost resulted in a try in the corner, stopped by some excellent last-ditch Dorking defending. However, Oaks took the lead after 29 minutes, turning the ball over as the Surrey men attacked, their clearing kick partially charged down and Oaks’ Shadyn Osgood reacted quickly, passed to Jonny Short who broke free to put in the supporting Sean Derrick to score under the posts; converted to lead 7-14. Oaks would have hoped to gain some semblance of control from this position, but the impressive Dorking lineout disrupted their own normally imperious processes, making sustained attacking control difficult.
More Dorking advances immediately followed but excellent defence held up the D’s rumbling forwards beyond the Oak’s try line. After 38 minutes, the home team’s lineout clicked into gear again, with the ball moved out through their backs, punching an uncharacteristically large hole in the Oaks’ midfield. Good scrambling defence followed but Nigel Gumbleton was penalised in front of the post and yellow-carded. The penalty was slotted, 10-14.
The final minutes of a pulsating first half saw Oaks score two tries and Dorking one. For the away team, Josh Livett returned a clearing kick, exchanged passes with Patrick Pellegrini, putting Ben Adams in to score; Ben converted to make it 10-21. Dorking soon made it 17-21 in the corner, only for Sevenoaks to win a scrum from the kick-off, from where Patrick Pellegrini danced through the opposing defence for the bonus point try to make the half time score, when converted, 17-28.
It had been a fantastic first half with the dangerous Oaks more clinical in attack but Dorking exerting more game control and presenting a constant scoring threat.
The second half started with Oaks winning quick penalties and territory, but Dorking defended well and eventually forced an interception from an Oaks’ midfield error, to score 7 easy points under the posts. 24-28. The next phase of the match saw fierce midfield exchanges, involving a yellow card on 50 minutes for a Dorking forward. With a man advantage, after 57 minutes Oaks scored their fifth try, executing a move off a successful lineout, for Nigel Gumbleton to break through and pass to Awa Morris to score; converted, 24- 35.
The final quarter of the game saw the home team exerting significant pressure, having the greater territory, forcing a ‘deliberate knock-on in the tackle’ penalty and yellow card award for Oaks’ Ben Adams and after 75 minutes scoring the final try of the game, unconverted, 29-35. More attacking forays by Dorking, a fierce scrum contest but also the home team making errors under pressure from the intense Oaks defence characterised the final 5 minutes plus added time. Oaks held out, taking the five points, with 2 valuable points for Dorking.
The large crowd caught its breath and recognised this had been a day to celebrate great rugby. With first meeting second it was always likely to be a close contest influenced by fine margins and tight calls, under the stewardship of an excellent referee. We had all witnessed two excellent teams competing in a game, in truth, either team could have won.
After the match Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Bowman said “what a serious game of rugby that was and what an advert for level 5 rugby. I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in the Senior Squad, the players put everything into that game and trusted our processes to get us over the line to win the game. A massive thank you to all those that came to support at Dorking, the whole squad hugely appreciate it! Next up we have another huge game at home vs Tring RFC, bring it on!”
100 Caps Josh Baldock - From 5 year old mini to 100 Cap Senior Squad Player! Very proud of you Josh!!
Sevenoaks 36 vs. Wimbledon 5
A complete all-round performance by Sevenoaks, at home to Wimbledon, saw the Oaks score six tries in this London & SE Premier fixture. Whilst results are of course important, particularly at this late stage of an exciting season, the day’s undoubted highlight was the marking of club stalwart Josh Baldock’s 100th appearance for the club, cheered on by a big crowd at the Paddock which included many of his family and friends.
The game itself required Oaks to battle through a first twenty minutes which saw determined visitors take advantage of a strong wind at their backs to build sustained pressure. At the point the home team was reduced to thirteen players, after two yellow cards received within a matter of moments, the SW London team crossed the line to lead 0 – 5. From that point on, at the end of the first quarter, Oaks took control of the game, running in 36 unanswered points by the final whistle. Key performance highlights saw the men from the Paddock defend superbly when needed, execute great ball handling skills at pace on a blustery day and create excellent set-piece platforms for attacking rugby. The first half stoppage time try, scored by Jonny Short and made by Josh Livett, was a “thing of beauty” to quote the Oaks’ Chairman on the sideline. The only negative on the day was the Oaks’ inability to restrict the penalty count against them, with offences continuing to be pinged well after the game was all but won. Credit must also go to a battling Wimbledon, much changed from their victory over Oaks earlier in the season and heavily impacted by injuries, losing key players on the day.
It was during the second quarter of the game, with Wimbledon attempting to run the ball and largely abandoning the use of the boot in their defensive third, that Oaks exercised breakdown dominance and established go-forward ball, with the points starting to come, Their first try came from a lineout catch and drive, with centurion Josh Baldock burrowing towards the line only for the referee to award a penalty try for ‘foul play’. What would have been the most popular try of the day was, nevertheless, a welcome 7 points. Continued Oaks’ pressure led eventually, deep in stoppage time, to a kick by the Wimbledon fly half, which led to Short and Livett exchanging passes four times to go seventy-five metres to score. The conversion was missed, and at half time Oaks led 12 – 5. The Oaks’ players left the field knowing the Wimbledon threat had been repelled and the wind, if used well, could be a significant advantage in the second stanza.
The Sevenoaks’ men started the half well, shunting their opponents back at every scrum, and building attacking field positions for the opening 15 minutes. After 46 minutes, came the best team try of the day, with a well-functioning lineout leading to a drive for the line, multiple ‘pick and go’s’ and, having sucked in the Don’s defence, moving the ball at speed through the hands out wide for Josh Livett to score in the corner. Ben Adams converted to make it 19 – 5. Despite more penalties against them, the bonus point try arrived from another lineout in midfield, moved via backs and forwards to allow Jonny Short to score his second try. The conversion was missed, so Oaks led 24 – 5 after fifty-five minutes.
There then followed a good period of Wimbledon pressure, threatening the Oaks’ line but great aggressive defence enabled them to keep the visitors at bay. A relieving penalty on sixty-five minutes allowed Oaks to re-establish territorial dominance for much of the remainder of the game, leading to two more tries, one when Wimbledon were down to fourteen men. Taking a scrum when awarded a penalty, the ball was sent cross-field by the boot of fly half Awa Morris for Ben Adams to score in the corner; conversion missed, 29-5. Try number six arrived when, despite the NFL-style ‘block of the day’ on Oaks’ skipper Nigel Gumbleton by his opposing centre, Awa Morris danced through tackles to release the ball to find its way to Scott Sedgwick who scored in the corner. Adams completed the match with a successful conversion, confirming a 36 – 5 final score.
After the match Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Bowman said “after a challenging first half, I thought we responded really well and delivered an excellent second half performance in front of a packed crowd!”
Oaks now have a break before the crucial top of the table clash away at Dorking on March 26th.
The Norfolk drizzle was firmly out in force as Sevenoaks embarked on their longest journey of the season to take on North Walsham RFC. A large crowd, including a bus load of students from the nearby University of East Anglia, had turned out to watch this much anticipated clash between two teams who have been going toe to toe towards the upper echelons of London South East Premier all season; which made for a crackling atmosphere in the Norfolk countryside.
It was the Kentish men who settled better to the occasion, stringing together an impressive number of phases in the opposition half with their ball carrying forwards making inroads into the North Walsham defence. Eventually, the pressure was to tell, as outside centre Shadyn Osgood showed his strength to fend off the defender and maraud his way into the opposition ’22, an exchange of offloads followed before Osgood found the ball back firmly in his grasp as he crashed over the try line to give Oaks a deserved 5-0 lead. Oaks’ kicker in chief Ben Adams narrowly missed the conversion from a very tricky angle.
After the restart, it was again the Sennockians who found themselves with territory and possession as their scrum began to turn the screw on their opponents and the Oaks pack continued to impress around the field, with second row Narbey-Nimeti putting in a particularly all court display. Eventually, this pressure earned Oaks a penalty in front of the posts as an East Anglian defender failed to roll away at a tackle. Adams duly stroked over the opportunity to increase the lead to 0 – 8.
Despite continued Oaks’ pressure, the North Walsham defence held impressively firm and, as the first stanza neared its conclusion, Oaks would have been forgiven for wondering if they were going to be made to rue the missing of a couple of guilt edge try scoring opportunities. Sure enough, before the referee’s whistle blew, the Norfolk men offered a stark reminder of their attacking ability when Oaks carelessly turned over the ball in the middle of the field allowing North Walsham to move the ball to space and make a foray into the Oaks' half. The Kentish defence scrambled well and managed to win the ball back and find touch for half time to ensure Oaks went into the break with a 0 – 8 lead.
It was to be North Walsham who started the second half the brighter as they used the slight slope and wind advantage they now enjoyed to exert their first real and sustained pressure of the match. However, the Oaks’ defence was imperious on the day with centre combination of Osgood and skipper Gumbleton, remarkably making their first start together in the blue and gold, showing a superb blend of aggression and skill to lead the Oaks line and keep the North Walsham attack at bay.
This defensive application and patience was to pay dividends as Oaks spotted some space on their right flank and some excellent handling got the ball to Adams in acres of space. He broke the North Walsham line before chipping skilfully over the onrushing back field defenders. The ball came to a halt in the North Walsham in goal area and the Oaks’ winger had time to look around and enjoy the moment before dotting the ball down. Again, a tricky conversion was missed.
It was then however that North Walsham enjoyed their best period of the match, squeezing Oaks into their own half and creating some try scoring opportunities of their own. Eventually, as the clock ticked down, the North Walsham maul was to prove an incisive weapon as a couple of meaty drives allowed them to touch down over the line. The extras were missed and there was no time for the restart. The final whistle blew on a ferocious encounter and the Oaks were delighted to take the four points with them back to The Paddock.
Sevenoaks 36 vs. Tunbridge Wells 0
In driving wind and rain on a very heavy pitch, for most of the second half the two sets of heavily muddied players were mostly indistinguishable to the watching crowd and increasingly to the players, culminating in one Tunbridge Wells player executing and excellent tackle ….on his own teammate! In a game on occasions made chaotic by the conditions, enormous credit must go to Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and the officials who dealt admirably with the elements. Whilst not being able to fault the visitor’s commitment, the home team largely dominated their opponents to secure the bonus point win in this London & SE Premier league fixture. For the second time this season Oaks had scored some excellent tries against their local rivals and kept them to ‘nil’ on the scoreboard. This victory leaves them in second place in the league table, 1 point behind Dorking.
The match opened with the strong wind at the backs of the home team, allowing them to spend almost the entire 40 minutes in Tunbridge Wells territory. Oaks exerted early pressure through their effective rolling maul, early domination in the scrum and good use of the boot. It was from their advancing scrum the ball was moved out quickly for Henry Galligan to dummy and cross the line to make it 5 – 0. The conversion was understandably missed given the wind and treacherous footing. More Oaks possession immediately followed, with a 20-metre rolling maul setting up excellent field position for the backs to take over and after a break by Nigel Gumbleton, he passed to Awa Morris to score; 10 – 0 with 19 minutes played; conversion missed.
Fierce competition continued at the breakdown, with Oaks having the edge and with their runners frequently making good yards. Credit to TW, who had started to stablise their scrum and were defending well but it was only a matter of time before Oaks would convert possession and territory into more points. At 40 minutes, having advanced to the Wells 5 metre line, their scrum was solid as Sean Derrick peeled off the back, to hand on to Matt McRae to score to make it 15 – 0. The conversion was successful; 17 – 0. The half finished with TW’s best period of the game but their execution at their first attacking lineout faltered and Oaks saw out the remainder of the first period.
As the players left the pitch, both sets of supporters were debating the impact of the wind. Would 17 points be enough of a lead for the home team? Could TW kick well and get territory in the Oak’s half?
As the second 40 minutes began, unfortunately for the visitors the wind calmed, and the rain eased. That said it was the increase in speed of play by Oaks that took the game away from Tunbridge Wells. With rucks cleared more quickly and the ball transferred superbly despite the conditions, in the 43rd minute Josh Pettet made a strong break, passing onto Nigel Gumbleton to score under the posts. Converted to make the score 24 – nil and the bonus point secured. The half continued in virtually unplayable conditions with both sides possibly racking up their record number of knock-ons in a single game J, with the most basic of handling skills almost impossible. Oaks managed to score two more tries, when a catch and drive from an attacking lineout saw James Simmons barrel over on the hour mark, to make it 29 – 0. Then Patrick Pellegrini put in Matt McRae for his 2nd try and Oaks’ 6th of the day, to make the score 36 – 0. The final whistle blew, slightly ahead of schedule (!) with Sevenoaks having played some excellent rugby in the conditions and Tunbridge Wells battling to the end but unable to threaten the home team’s line. Both sets of players deserved the applause as they left the pitch, with the Oaks’ victory fully deserved.
After the match Head Coach & Director of Rugby Adam Bowman said “considering the very difficult conditions I thought we were excellent today. We trusted our playing systems and executed very well”
Next week is a rest week for Sevenoaks, before the long trip to North Walsham for a key top four clash on March 5th
Sevenoaks 26 vs. Sutton & Epsom 14
At half time in their home fixture against Sutton & Epsom, the game remained in the balance with the scores level at 7 points each. Finishing the closing moments of the first 40 minutes, at one stage with only 13 players on the field, they were unable to hold out a committed and resilient opponent who deservedly scored an equalising try with the last play of the half. The Oaks’ coaching staff led their team off the field having witnessed too many errors by their charges in the first period, knowing an improvement in tempo and discipline would be required if they were not to drop valuable points in the race for promotion places.
As so often this season they then delivered a blistering period of attacking play, scoring 3 tries in 12 minutes, securing the 5-point win and moving to 2nd place in the table. Enormous credit must go to the Oaks’ players who once again demonstrated speed and precision in the red zone, backed up by strong set-piece efficiency throughout. That said, Sutton & Epsom provided the toughest of tests, with their excellent organisation and commitment offering a stubborn threat. However the men from the Paddock deservedly won the day, delivering their 9th win on the bounce, with now only 7 games remaining in the season.
Despite Oaks playing into a strong wind, the match opened with them applying early pressure but errors made meant they were unable to capitalise. Then after 16 minutes S&E kicked well, using the elements, to get good field position, winning a penalty as Oaks strayed offside. The kick for goal was missed. The scrappy, mistake ridden opening phases continued until the 27th minute when, off the top of a line out, the Oaks’ stand-off Patrick Pellegrini released Fred Richardson to make a line-breaking run, slipping the ball to Sean Derrick who ran in under the posts. The try was converted by Ben Adams to make the score 7 - nil.
Unfortunately for the home team, a rare lineout malfunction straight from the restart gave the visitors a platform for a sustained period of territory and possession. The penalty count against Oaks was rising and from a quick tap by S&E, Jonny Short was yellow carded (29 minutes) for tackling to save a try having not retreated 10 metres. Another infringement 2 minutes later by hooker Scott Sedgwick saw him follow Short into the bin. Despite some great 13 man defence and their own breakout that nearly resulted in a score, the pressure returned on the ‘Navy and Hunting Golds’ with the Oaks’ line breached by a fine dummy by the S&E number 10 who dotted down under the posts; converted to make the half time score 7-7. There was a spring in the step of the visitors as they left the field and Sevenoaks knew improvement was needed in the second half.
Oaks immediately took advantage of the wind after the restart, kicking well to secure attacking field position and trusting their smothering defence to win possession. Continuing to edge the breakdown, with and without the ball, it didn’t take long for Oaks to build phases through the forwards for Charlie Naismith to barrel over after 44 minutes to make it 12 - 7, converted 14 - 7. Two more quick scores followed as first, scrum half Henry Galligan, after 48 minutes, broke the S&E defensive line with a quick tap penalty, handing the ball to Matt McRae to score under the posts; converted 21 - 7. Then a kick-return by Fred Richardson allowed the best backs move of the day, with the ball fizzed from Ben Adam’s to Jonny Short and on to Josh Livett to score in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted away but at 26- 7, the bonus point was secured. It had been a dominant and exhilarating passage of play by the home team.
With 25 minutes still remaining, Oaks, perhaps guilty of overplaying, failed to convert any further openings, despite scrum dominance and the edge territorially. In fact it was S&E who had the last scoring say, breaking through the Oaks’ defence after 60 minutest to make the score 26 - 14, to the delight of the most energetic visiting flag waving touch judge seen this season at the Paddock😊.For the final quarter of the game, largely played in the middle third of the pitch, both defences dominated, forcing errors in try scoring positions. The final whistle blew on an entertaining encounter with the win for Oaks, despite a scrappy performance in places, fully merited
Next week Oaks welcome local rival Tunbridge Wells, who will arrive at the Paddock on the back of their best win of the season, defeating league leaders Hertford.
Westcombe Park 22 - Sevenoaks 24
Deep into stoppage time at the end of a fiercely fought game, Sevenoaks and Westcombe Park were separated on the scoreboard only by 2 points; an earlier missed WP conversion attempt the difference. Both teams had each scored three tries and one penalty kick. The home team had an attacking scrum with the final play of the game on the Oaks 5 metre line, only to be turned over, concluding a 10-minute sequence of superb Oaks’ defence and securing the 22 – 24 victory. During the season the men from the Paddock have shone with exciting attacking rugby, but this 4-point London & SE Premier league win owed much to their excellent defending, against a very strong opponent. Westcombe Park arrived in great form and delivered a performance confirming they are certainly the most-improved team of the season. That said, credit must go to Sevenoaks who did sufficient in all areas of the pitch to win the game; demonstrating resilience, excellent organisation, and precision when scoring opportunities arose. They now sit 3rd in the league table, 1 point behind Hertford and Dorking.
Westcombe Park came out of the blocks quickly, requiring Oaks to scramble in defence in the first few minutes of the game, WP eventually winning a penalty, scoring to make it 3 – nil after 3 minutes. Oaks responded with their first meaningful foray into the WP half after 7 minutes, moving the ball across the backs, with Fotheringham dummying twice to make 35 metres, and passing to Johnny Short who, with work to do, finished well. An excellent conversion by Ben Adams made the score 3 – 7. From the restart the aggressive WP defence, led by their no. 5, charged down the clearing Oaks’ kick and was adjudged to have grounded the ball with sufficient downward pressure to award the try. It was converted; 10 – 7 to WP. The home team, helped by a strong following wind, built on their quick response with more territory and possession forcing Oaks to defend well.
The second quarter of the game saw Oaks find their rhythm, with good possession, playing in their opponents’ half. Unfortunately for the men from Plymouth Drive, with their backs moving the ball swiftly, WP pressed and intercepted to run unopposed to score under the posts. The conversion made the score 17 – 7, leaving Oaks facing their biggest deficit in a game for some time. They responded with their best attacking passages of play of the day, dominating territory for the remainder of the half, making the most of their ascendant scrum. Their reward came in the 31st minute following a strong carry by McRae, the ball arrived with Patrick Pellegrini who dummied to break through the WP defence and score under the posts; converted to make the score 17 – 14. Oaks finished the half strongly, but WP defended well ensuring there were no further scores in the half.
Despite starting the second half with the wind at their backs, Oaks were forced to retreat for much of the opening moments, again defending well and kicking smartly to ease the WP pressure. The game then settled into a phase of highly competitive midfield exchanges, with no one side dominating at the breakdown. Oaks’ scrum continued to put pressure on their opponents and WP eventually infringed allowing the boot of Ben Adams to level the scores; 17 – 17 after 50 minutes. Ben was however unable to slot a longer penalty attempt from halfway, the ball falling short.
The sides then exchanged two quick tries, with Oaks’ aggressive defence forcing the WP back line to fumble, allowing Ben Adams to pick up the loose ball and sprint 50 metres to score Oaks’ 3rd try of the day after 69 minutes; converted for Oaks to lead, 17 - 24. The sizeable travelling Paddock faithful began to breathe more easily and hoped for a bonus point 4th try, but to their credit WP competed at the restart and from the lineout rumbled through the Oaks’ pack to score. Crucially, into the wind, the conversion was missed, leaving the score 22 – 24 after 72 minutes.
There then followed that excellent attacking spell from the home team, matched by superb defence from the visitors. WP won a series of penalties allowing them to dominate both territory and possession in these final moments. On the 80-minute mark to the relief of Blue and Golds, the WP kicker failed in a 3-point attempt, before that final scrum of the day saw Oaks force the error and win the game. After a very tense day at the office, Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Bowman commented; “well that was a serious battle out there today. We were tested against a much-improved Westcombe Park side who has been on a very impressive run. We were not at our best today and had a very high error count throughout the game which we must look to improve. However, we dug deep and just got the job done. I must say the character and desire shown by the players when defending in the final 15 minutes was just unbelievable! Onto the next one …”
Next week Sevenoaks are at home against Sutton & Epsom
Brighton 12 - Sevenoaks 41
Sevenoaks remains in 2nd place in the London & SE Premier league as a result of their victory away at Brighton RFC. In control for large parts of the game, the win was all but secured early in the 2nd half when their penultimate try of 6 scored on the day took them 25 points clear of the home team, who themselves had some good periods of territory and possession. Perhaps a performance that was scrappier than they would like, it still represented a very good outcome against a tough opponent. Oaks’ season is being shaped by two dominant features of play; excellent defence when the opposition has threatening moments and clinical attacking play when the men from Kent are in the red zone. Both facets were on display against Brighton, contributing to the victory and cementing their current position both as the meanest defence and highest points scorer in the league.
Saturday’s Sevenoaks team saw several changes from last week’s Covid affected line-up, with Brighton starting the faster, having good possession in the Oaks’ half. However, the visitors first foray into their opponent’s territory after 6 minutes, forced repeated infringements by Brighton allowing the Oaks’ excellent lineout to serve up a catch and drive. Fred Richardson peeled off to score to make it 5 – nil. The conversion was missed. Oaks were having the better of the breakdown and another score looked likely when an attacking chip-kick was intercepted by a Brighton player who ran 70 yards to score under the posts. Converted it was 7 – 5 to the Blues after 15 minutes. The next 10 minutes saw scrapy midfield and even exchanges with errors by both sides. Then in the 27th minute another Oaks’ lineout delivered quick ball for Patrick Pellegrini to step through a gap in the home team’s defence to canter over the line. Converted to make it 12- 7.
Sevenoaks’ old enemy ‘ill-discipline’ reared its head again in the 31st minute when Josh Livett was pinged for a deliberate knock on in the tackle. Yellow cards for the Kent men are a feature of most Oaks’ games, a point the coaching staff know must improve with big games ahead. Down to 14 men, Oaks soaked up Brighton’s pressure and then impressively showed their ruthless side, scoring two more tries before half time. First, more good lineout ball and another dummy in midfield saw Pellegrini score an excellent try, his second and Oaks’ third; converted to make it 19 -7. Then astute tactical kicking first to exit their own 22 and then to pressurise Brighton on their own 5 metre line allowed Josh Pettet to drive over to make it 24 – 7 and the try bonus point secured. With the conversion missed the half time whistle blew, with Oaks having dominated territory and built a lead Brighton looked unlikely to overturn.
Straight from the restart Oaks won a penalty and kicked the points to make it 27-7. With Brighton then having a period of dominance in the scrum, Oaks did well to attack off the back of the scrum with Sean Derrick making 35 metres, leading to multiple attacking phases culminating with a penalty won on the Brighton line. The catch and drive was unstoppable and Fred Richardson scored to make it 32 – 7, converted to be 34-7 after 46 minutes.
To their credit Brighton then had a period of territorial dominance, testing the Oaks’ defence; but lacking a cutting edge, demonstrated in the 55th minute with a fumble as the try line beckoned. It was in fact Oaks who scored next against the run of play, their 6th and best try of the day on 58 minutes. Starting with a lineout on halfway, the ball was moved across the backs as speed, recycled, switched quickly out wide, with great running lines and good hands culminating in Henry Galligan finishing a classy move under the posts to make the score 41 – 7 with the conversion.
The final quarter of the game had Brighton playing their best rugby of the day, deservedly scoring a try in the 79th minute to make it 41-12. The final scoreline perhaps felt a bit harsh on the home team given their efforts in the first and last 20 minutes of the match, but Oaks deserved what turned out to be a comfortable win.
After the game Head Coach and Director of Rugby Adam Bowman said “playing away against Brighton is always an incredibly difficult place to go, and whilst it was not our finest performance we got the job done and came away with an important five points. We have a big week ahead this coming week as the squad travels to Westcombe Park, should be a cracking Saturday!
Next week sees Oaks visit a much-improved Westcombe Park for what is a keenly awaited local derby.
Sevenoaks 33 vs. Sidcup 10
A difficult Covid affected week for Sevenoaks’ players and coaching staff required eight changes from last week’s away win at Havant and saw stricken coach Adam Bowman forced to watch the game on a live feed from home. Opponents Sidcup RFC were also not without their Covid disruptions so credit must go to both teams for fulfilling this London and SE Premier fixture (as well as a Second XV contest on the same day). Understandably not at their fluent best, the bonus point had however been secured by Oaks after 50 minutes, with enough daylight to suggest victory was safe. Helped by good defence, Sidcup were kept scoreless in the second half, but the home team made life more difficult for themselves with two yellow cards in the match and a stream of penalties against, stymieing momentum. That said, this was a good performance with Oaks able to draw on excellent squad depth to score five tries. They move up to second place in the league, now level on points with Hertford above them and Dorking in third place..
The game was only one minute old when Sidcup took advantage of early Oaks’ defensive disorganisation, moving the ball from what was a near perfect lineout all day, to score in the corner. Unconverted, they led 0 – 5. Sevenoaks started to find some rhythm and following an excellent ‘fifty - twenty-two’, a penalty won, an efficient catch and drive, Oaks’ Josh Thorneycroft crashed over to score. The try was converted by James Fotheringham to make it 7-5. A few moments later Oaks suffered their first yellow card when Adam King was penalised for a high tackle. Pressure followed from Sidcup who unfortunately for them knocked on with the try line beckoning. The Paddock faithful were delighted to see the home team’s early scrum dominance continuing even when a forward down; culminating in the retreating Sidcup pack being penalised. Pressure and more penalties followed, with the ball arriving with Matt McRae to score the Oaks’ second try of the day; conversion missed 12-5.
The final ten minutes of the half saw some fierce midfield exchanges and good defence from both teams. However uncharacteristic sloppy play by Sevenoaks led to them turning over the ball at halfway, allowing Sidcup to put their speedy backs away to score the visitors second try. With the conversion missed, the referee blew for half time with Oaks leading 12 – 0. The home team’s coaching staff headed for the tunnel knowing error count and discipline would need to improve in the second half if victory was to be theirs.
Taking the field early, Oaks looked in the mood to start quickly; and they did. Stealing the kickoff led to concerted territory and possession for the opening minutes, forcing Sidcup to badly slice a clearance straight to Henry Galligan, who ran unopposed to score a try. Converted to make it 19-10. A good response by Sidcup came from the restart but they missed the attempted three-pointer when awarded another penalty. Two minutes later captain Josh Pettet stole the ball in midfield and handed on to Matt McRae who ran 40 yards to score under the posts. Converted to make in 26 – 10 and the bonus point achieved.
The remainder of the game saw some intermittent valiant offensive efforts by the visitors, stopped by great Oaks’ defence, some right on their own line. Anther yellow card arrived, this time for Oaks’ Josh Thorneycroft, with the referee warning Pettet when the infringements continued. Discipline was certainly a negative on the day for the eventual winners. Oak’s use of the boot was however impressive, putting them in good attacking positions from which they then started winning a number of penalties themselves. From one of these, a kick to touch saw their maul heading for the try-line only to be pulled down illegally. The referee immediately awarded a penalty try. 33-10. The game finished with Oaks keeping Sidcup pinned in their own twenty-two, the players celebrating a well-deserved victory at the final whistle.
Next week weeks Oaks travel away to Brighton, hoping for a more trouble free week of preparation.
Havant 24 vs. Sevenoaks 41
The men from Kent had already scored four converted tries before Havant rumbled over for their first of the day after fifty-two minutes. However, what was looking like a comfortable but hard-fought win could have been placed in jeopardy by a red card issued to Oak’s Awa Morris for an incident after the Hampshire team had scored. Up to that point the visitors had played some excellent rugby, with Havant unable to live with Oaks at the breakdown or cope with the speed and precision of their attacks, breaking their defensive line on numerous occasions. The remainder of the game saw the home team score two more tries but in truth the result never looked in doubt despite their numerical advantage. Sevenoaks had relished the fast 4G pitch offering perfect conditions for their intensely physical free flowing rugby. Credit must also go the Havant who threatened more as the game progressed, deploying their bulky forward pack, releasing their lightening quick backs. It was however a fully deserved win for the Oaks, who cemented their third place in the league moving onto fifty nine points, four behind top spot.
This London and SE Premier fixture began with the visitors almost scoring in the first minute, when a break from Shaydn Osgood was repelled just short of the line. This led to a twenty-minute period of Oak’s territorial and attacking dominance, allowing Ben Adams to convert a penalty after six minutes for a block on Patrick Pellegrini. A 100% kick conversion rate would follow for Ben, renamed Bryan Adams for the day by the Havant announcer! Then, after a break by the Oak’s number 10 won a penalty, the ball was driven on from the efficient Oak’s lineout, ending up with Pellegrini dummying to score the first of his three tries of the day. After eighteen minutes, Havant infringed at a maul, Oaks kicked to touch and rumbled forward to allow Fred Richardson to peel off the back to score; converted by Adams to make it 17 – 0.
Havant then had a good ten-minute spell, keeping the ball with their big forwards and opting to take a scrum and then a lineout when Oaks were penalised, but the visitors defended well, including holding up a Havant attacker over their own line. In the twenty seventh minute the referee awarded a penalty to the home team and yellow carded Matt McRae for kicking the ball away after the whistle. Havant took the points to make it 17 -3. In the thirty seventh minute, deep in Havant territory to the delight of the Oak’s travelling faithful, their seven-man scrum shunted the home team’s backwards, forcing the home team number 8 to flick the ball into the hands of the Oak’s replacement scrum half to score. Henry Galligan’s try was converted to make it 24 – 3. In an evenly matched closing period, there was still time for Oaks to add three more points and Havant to receive their own yellow card for a shoulder barge.
The teams left the field with the visitors leading comfortably but knowing Havant would, in all likelihood, react and improve in the second half.
Another fast start saw Oaks regather their kick-off, recycle the ball and Pellegrini go over for his second try; converted, 34 -3, and the bonus point secured. Then came the Havant fifty second minute try following their first entry into Oak’s territory after the restart. However, it was the men from Kent who scored next, with Pellegrini intercepting and crossing the line after a scrappy period of play. At 41 – 10 with sixty minutes played, the win for Oaks was, in all probability, secured but a sustained period of pressure by the home team took their try count to three and the score to 41 -24. Havant continued to press to the final whistle as Oaks were stretched, but good defence denied the Hampshire team their four-try bonus point.
Next week sees Oaks welcome Sidcup to the Paddock.
Sevenoaks 60 vs. CS Stags 1863 3
Sevenoaks faced CS Stags 1863 at the Paddock for their first London and SE Premier fixture of 2022. On a wet day and on a very difficult pitch, by the 35th minute of the game the home team had earned a try bonus point and all but secured victory to kick-start the second half of their campaign. This was an impressive performance, running in eight trys against an opponent who may be struggling this season but deserve huge credit for competing right to the final whistle. Oaks played some excellent rugby in weather that worsened as the match progressed, executing the basics well, making remarkably few errors and being clinical when opportunities were created, including notching 20 points from the boot of Ben Adams in the most testing of kicking conditions. The men from Kent now sit third in the league table.
The match began with Oaks showing their intent with two early breaks from captain Sean Derrick which, although unconverted, showcased great running lines, speed and excellent handling to be repeated by the team throughout the day. As Oaks started to dominate the scrum and break downs, CS repeatedly incurred the wrath of the referee, suffering multiple penalty awards against them. The home team took advantage, and after an early 3-pointer, their maul from a lineout was pulled down illegally and Fred Richardson took a quick ‘tap and go’ penalty to score the first try. Converted, it was 10 nil after 10 minutes.
Oaks started to break the CS defensive line and a chip-kick by Patrick Pellegrini led to another penalty, scored by Ben Adams to make it 13 nil. The away team responded well for the next few minutes, securing a rare turnover and converting the subsequent penalty as Oaks infringed. 13 – 3 after 22 minutes. Brave as CS were continuing to be, they were unable to threaten the home team try line for the remainder of the game. A kick return by Fred Richardson, a break by Patrick Pellegrini and quick recycled ball, saw the number 10 dummy to go over the line; the try converted; 20-3. Good ball off a lineout with Scott Sedgewick regathering to run an excellent line and pass inside to Henry Galligan to dot down took the score to 25 – 3, made 27-3 by the Oaks kicker’s boot. CS were now being shunted back regularly in the scrum, with the bonus point try coming from Oak’s dominance as Sean Derrick peeled off the back to score to make it 32-3, with a forgivable blemish by Ben Adams as his kick drifted wide. There was still time in the first period for a 5th try with the final play of the half when Shaydn Osgood fended off three tackles to allow the ball to be moved out wide for Ben Adams to score.
The two mud-soaked teams left the field with their kits almost indistinguishable, Oaks leading 39-3. The crowd knew CS would be playing for pride in the second half requiring Oaks to maintain their high standards if more points were to come.
The second half understandably lacked some of the fluidity of the first, the game played almost exclusively in the CS half, with the men from West London digging in to disrupt Oak’s rhythm but hindered by a yellow card on the hour mark for blocking the kick chase. However, as a result of good tactical kicking, strong set pieces and the away team making handling errors, 3 more trys were scored. In the 51st minute a catch and drive from a lineout saw Drew Narbey-Nimeti cross the line. A ‘pick and go’ after another set piece led to try number seven by James Simmons; and in the 80th minute effective but scrappy backs play allowed Awa Morris to score the final try of the day. All three were converted to make the final score 60-3. The Oak’s faithful gave both teams their well-deserved applause as they left the pitch. It had been a ruthless display by Oaks and a credible battling display by CS.
Next week sees the First XV make the long trip to Havant to face a stern test from a strong team on a 4G surface.
Sevenoaks 43 vs. Maidenhead 0
After 20 minutes of Sevenoaks’ London and South East Premier fixture held at the Paddock on a cold wet day and a sticky pitch, territory, possession and the best scoring opportunities had belonged to the visitors. Maidenhead had missed a penalty kick and suffered a marginal forward pass decision by the referee with the try line beckoning for their winger. By the end of the game the uncharacteristically slow start by the home team had been forgotten, with total dominance in all areas of the game enabling them to run in 7 tries and keep their opponents scoreless and indeed largely out of Oaks territory for much of the second half. To score 43 points, many as a result of fast free-flowing rugby, on a pitch as difficult under foot as it was, is testament to the skill levels of this current Oaks team. Maidenhead battled manfully and with great commitment throughout but could not breach what is statistically the best defence in the league. Oaks moved up to 4th place in the league table as a result.
With Oaks building into the game, after 24 minutes their scrum dominance forced a penalty which they kicked to touch. Good phases of play resulted from the lineout, with Matt McRae running a good inside line to score his and the team’s first try of the day. Matt would go on to score a hat-trick of tries. The conversion made it 7 – 0. Six minutes later more pressure came off an Oaks set piece with Jonny Short breaking the Maidenhead defensive line to pass inside for Ben Adams to score under the posts, converted by him to make it 14- 0. The final period of the half saw several midfield exchanges with some good tactical kicking by Oaks pinning back the visitors making a score from them look unlikely. The teams retired to the dressing rooms for half time, Oaks leading 14 – 0 knowing if they played the game in their opponent’s territory for the next 40 minutes, they had the pace and precision to score more tries.
That proved to be the case with Maidenhead only threatening the Oaks line once in the whole of the second half, and Oaks playing attacking rugby from dominant field position, scoring 5 tries. Not helped by a yellow card for a high tackle after 43 minutes, the visitors conceded after 49 minutes when Patrick Pellegrini danced over from 5 metres following several good phases. 21-0. At 52 minutes, with Maidenhead’s scrum going backwards, pressure led to breaks by Shayden Osgood and then Matt McRae allowing Jonny Short to score in the corner, to make it 26-0. Scrum dominance continued with a pushover try scored by Sean Derrick in the 62nd minute, converted to make it 33-0. Then followed probably the best try of the day when Patrick Pellegrini caught his own chip kick, made good ground, passed to the juggling support player who moved the ball on to Matt McRae to score another try in the corner. 38-0 with a tricky conversion missed. In the 73rd minute Maidenhead threatened the Oaks line for the first time since the 10th minute of the game, but Oaks cleared their lines. There was still time for a catch and drive after a penalty awarded for more Maidenhead troubles at the scrum, with Matt McRae driving over to make the score 43-0.
The final whistle blew on a very efficient and satisfactory victory for the men from Kent. After the game Director of Rugby and Head coach Adam Bowman said “That was an important victory today in incredibly tricky conditions. We started very slowly, and whilst we went into the sheds at half time 14-0 up, we were disappointed with our performance levels as they were below the standards we expect of ourselves. Full credit to how the squad reacted in the second half, I thought we were excellent in most areas of the game, played some great rugby in the conditions and full deserved the 43-0 win“.
For their final game of the year, Oaks travel to Westcombe Park for a tough fixture against an improving local rival. It should be an exciting contest.
Tring 19 - Sevenoaks 45
As Oaks departed the field at half time, trailing 9 - 5 to Tring, they knew both the elements and local topography would be in their favour in the second half. They would go on to play the conditions superbly, as their hosts struggled to cope, as well as Oaks did in the first half, with the low winter sun in their eyes, a stiff breeze against and an upward sloped pitch under foot. This London & SE Premier fixture, held at Cow Lane in Hertfordshire, saw Oaks put in a fine display scoring seven tries and securing a bonus point win to remain in 5th place in the league table: but with only two points now separating them from 2nd. Credit to Tring who fought to the end, but Oak’s victory was underpinned by their fitness, effectiveness at the breakdown and speed of backs plays with which their hosts were unable to cope. A thoroughly deserved victory even with several absentees, highlighting the strength in Oak’s squad depth.
On a bitterly cold day Tring took an early 3-0 lead, reward for possession and territory, when Oaks were penalised for not releasing after the tackle. Then after 7 minutes the first scrum of the day promised a worrying afternoon as the men from Kent were shunted backwards to the delight of the Tring home support. However, Oaks were able to gain parity and later the advantage at the scrum as the game progressed. Oaks started to get a foothold in the game, defending well as Tring’s kicking pinned them back, breaking out with good running lines and using slick passing to threaten the home team. In the 20th minute one of those breaks started by Patrick Pellegrini, with Man of the Match Shayden Osgood making his first of many line breaks of the day to put Ben Adams through who passed onto Henry Galligan to score. Oaks led 5- 3 after 20 minutes with a difficult conversion missed.
The second quarter of the match saw Oaks probing whilst wind assisted kicking by Tring gave them the territorial advantage. Play became quite scrappy as the hosts made the most of the penalties awarded to them, choosing to kick two of them to take a 9-5 lead; whilst neither side really threatened their opponent’s try line. The half ended with some good Oaks pressure well defended by Tring who must have felt, as the half-time whistle blew, their narrow lead would be a challenge to defend in the second period.
That proved to be the case when one minute after the restart Oaks secured a turnover and executed the first of many good backs moves in the second half for Jonny short to dummy near the line to score a very well-worked try. Ben Adams slotted an excellent conversion from the touchline to make it 12-9. Tring did respond with some pressure of their own, but it felt if Oaks were to continue to play in their opponent’s half, the Hertfordshire men would struggle to contain the visitors quick ball movement and precision in attack. In the 52nd minute that proved to be the case. Having gained good field position from a 60-metre kick, a scrum followed, and the backs were in again as Shayden Osgood broke the line with this time Jonny Short giving the final pass the Awa Morris who crossed the line to make it 17-9, with a difficult conversion missed.
Another scrum after 57 minutes evidence the reversal of Tring’s earlier edge as, led by replacement Charlie Naismith, it was the home team’s turn to be shunted backwards. This led to more pressure with Oaks held up over the line after another backs move and from the resulting drop out by Tring, the ball was caught, returned and recycled for Drew Narbey-Nimeti to power through a huge gap in a tired looking Tring defence. The converted try under the posts made the score 24-9 after 61 minutes and gave Oaks a well-earned bonus point and probable victory secured. Four minutes later it was turn of the forwards as they followed up more good backs play, keeping the ball in hand for James Simmons to plough over under the posts for Oak’s 5th try of the day. Converted to make it 31-9.
A good response by Tring followed as their rolling maul functioned well to score their first try after 70 minutes; unconverted to make it 31-14. There was still time for two more scores from Oaks. One from Charlie Naismith who barreled over from 500 cm’s and Ben Adams who found another gaping hole in the home team’s defensive set up. The last word went to Tring with a score in the corner, but the day belonged to Oaks, much the better team, securing the victory with a final score of 45 – 19.
After the match Director of rugby and Head coach Adam Bowman said, ”That was a very pleasing performance, and of course an important 5 points away from home. I thought we were excellent in the second half, we controlled field position, built pressure and executed very well.
Next week sees the final home match before Christmas with the visit of Maidenhead.
