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Single point loss in last play of game against North Walsham - 1st April, 2023

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby welcomed North Walsham to the Paddock on Saturday 1 April for a highly entertaining encounter that saw North Walsham edge home by one point with the final kick of the game.

Sevenoaks had every chance to secure the win however Walsham kept playing and were rightfully jubilant with the last play, a penalty from just outside the Oaks 10 yard line about 15 metres in from the left touch line that hit the right hand upright and rebounded inside the posts by the narrowest of margins. The win gives Walsham a lifeline in National 2 whereas Oaks will feel disappointed yet in charge of their own destiny with both Rochford Hundred and Walsham below them with two matches to play.

The opening salvos belonged to Walsham and having ascertained field position in the opening encounters they duly romped over the line for the first of a brace of tries by number eight Charlie Fethney that Matt Hodgson converted.

There was a rapid reply from Oaks after they moved the ball expertly into the Walsham 22 for Johnny Short to speed over the line and Bend Adams secured the extras. Then Oaks added to this with an excellently-worked move that saw Josh Pettet barrage up the middle of the pitch and send the Walsham defenders the wrong way with a sublime dummy before he crashed over the whitewash. Oaks then finished the first half pressing into the Walsham corner however to thanks to defensive resilience the visitors held out. 17-14 half-time.

This was a very tight encounter and it was important for both teams to take points away from the game to ensure their survival in National 2 rugby. Oaks started the second half positively and the pressure on Walsham told in the shape of a penalty to Oaks. However Walsham wanted to play and with 10 minutes to go worked their way up the field and secured an excellent try in the shape of scrum half Alfie Coop.

Oaks then applied further pressure and twice had opportunities through penalties to retain the lead before Jack Martin put a penalty for Oaks over from just inside the 10 yard line. With three minutes to play Oaks were 23-21 up.

From the restart Oaks immediately took the ball up the field thanks to some deft work by Josh Livett from 15 and were unlucky not to secure the try. Having nudged the ball forward from five yards out, Walsham sniffed blood from their own scrum and through man of the match Matt Hodgson bossing the phases executed their way up field and secured a penalty. It was on the edge of the fly half’s range and he slotted the penalty over thanks to the rebound to bring a cracking encounter to a close.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Livett; Adams; Osgood; Corrigan; Short; Martin; Holmes. Simmons; Sedgwick; Simmons; Pettet; Higgins; Hackett; McRae; Derrick. Naismith; Ganley; Munnelly; Naismith; Richardson; Horner.

 

North Walsham RFC

Ottis; Mustard; Jones; Coates; Bltyh; Hodgson; Coop. Scott; Knight; Youngs; Musindi; Holmwood; Basarah; Haynes; Pethney. Weber; Brightman; Knight; Kirkham; Dye.

 

HT SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 17 – 14 North Walsham

 

FULL TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 23 – 24 North Walsham RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

5' Jonny Short Try

10' Josh Pettet T Ben Adams Con

33' Shadyn Osgood

60' Adams Penalty

77' Martin P

 

NORTH WALSHAM RFC SCORERS PLUS TIMES

3' Pethney T Hodgson Con

23’ Pethney T Hodgson C

69’ Coop T Hodgson C

80’ Hodgson Penalty

 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH Josh Pettet

ATTENDANCE 420

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Great clash at The Paddock against Barnes - 18th March, 2023

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby hosted Barnes RFC for a compelling Nat 2 encounter on Saturday 18 March at Knole Paddock. Barnes came up against a highly determined Sevenoaks team and post half-time the period that put distance between the visitors and Oaks was ultimately a brace of Barnes tries. Sadly a red card for the Barnes prop following an early fracas in the first half introduced an element of niggle to an otherwise entertaining match.

At the outset, Sevenoaks had their share of early field position in the shape of the boot of Ben Adams but it was Barnes who opened the scoring, with the first of three first-half pushover tries – one to Oaks and two to Barnes. Boggy underfoot condition limited the expansive ambitions of both sides so from a lineout drive Barnes barrelled over thanks to Ryan Nixon and then Simon Keller – very effective from the tee all day – slotted the extras.

The reply from Sevenoaks involved establishing field position through Jack Martin combining with Jonny Short and then from a penalty and lineout, Aidon Higgins was the one at the bottom of the pile with ball in hand over the whitewash after several pick and go's and Ben Adams slotted the extras. Barnes then secured the advantage going into the sheds thanks to another catch and drive, this time all the backs got involved in the maul and Connor Cross drove the ball over the line with Keller again securing the extras. 7 – 14 halt time.

Barnes then put in a purple patch at the start of the second half and really took the game to Oaks. They secured the try of the match as following a series of excellent handling, and move through to the right hand wing Giles Bromley Martin jinked his way over the line. Barnes then again breached the Oaks as Paul O'Dell scythed a line through to score under the posts, Keller slotting the extras.

Barnes therefore had a solid lead however Oaks roared back to put the visitors under a degree of pressure and this paid off when Scott Sedgwick popped up at the bottom of a ruck to secure a try for the hosts. Sevenoaks then pressed with a huge amount of pressure on Barnes, who ultimately held out for the win.


SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Adams; Stone; Osgood; Corrigan; Short; Martin; Horner. Simmons; Sedgwick; Naismith; Osinibi; Harries; McRae; Derrick. Richardson; Morris; Nicholls; Hickin; Shirtcliff.

 

Barnes RFC

Davies; Keller; Stegmann; Bromley-Martin; Souter; O'Dell; Cross. Wood; Hope; Marsh; Ashcroft-leigh; McLean; Kassapian; Harbinson. Hennesey; Short; Leigh; Kirkham; Lloyd.

 

HALF TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 7 – 14 Barnes RFC 

FULL TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 12 – 28 Barnes RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

35' Higgins Try

35' Adams Con

60' Sedgwick Try

 

BARNES RFC

30' Nixon

30' Keller Con

39' Cross

39' Keller Con

52' Bromley-Martin Try

52' Keller Con

58' O'Dell Try

58' Keller Con

  

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Sean Derrick & Charlie Corrigan

 ATTENDANCE - 310

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Great game against Guernsey sees Oaks take the victory - 11th March, 2023

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby hosted Guernsey Raiders RFC for a compelling Nat 2 encounter on Saturday 11 March at Knole Paddock. A highly determined Sevenoaks team won home thanks to a great all round team performance, however Guernsey opened the stronger and in the shape of loose forward Matt Creber got the scoring underway with an excellent barraging carry over the line that Owen Thomas duly converted.

Raiders owned the opening salvos and were pressing with all the show and go. Thomas at 10 in particular pulling the strings and making it hard for Oaks to get into the game with some deft kicks from hand.

Sean Derryck was a stalwart in the Oaks defensive unit and thanks to his and other efforts by the home pack in the final quarter of the opening half Sevenoaks began finding field position. Following a very effective lineout five yards out from the Raiders line, Sevenoaks opened their account after a catch by Josh Pettet and drive over the line saw Aidon Higgins score a team try. Sevenoaks then took a lead into the sheds after an excellent carry by Elliot Munnally – a handful all day for the Raiders backs to contain; he made it over the whitewash. 10-7 half-time.

Image credit Dave Purday

The second half was a much more open and fluid engagement than the first, although the game had its share of niggle. Both teams exchanged early field position before Sevenoaks managed to secure a penalty in Raiders territory that Adams slotted. Then it was Ben Adams again who popped up in the outside channel and carried over the line converting his own try. A further penalty to Oaks gave the navy and golds ascendancy.

Raiders swiftly replied and Ethan Smith secured an excellent try that Thomas again converted. This was quickly cancelled out by the play of the game as Adams fly hacked the ball forward from midfield before collecting it on the bounce and then converting the try from the right hand touchline. 

Sevenoaks didn't then baton down the hatches and Raiders come back strongly, with Jacob Pinkney romping through the middle of the park and scoring under the posts for a try that was converted with a quick drop goal. The restart was the last play of the game and when Raiders were pinged in front of their own posts Jack Martin slotted the penalty to make the match safe for Oaks.

Cracking match and credit to both teams as Oaks took away five vital points while Guernsey took two well deserved bonus losing and try points back to the island.

Image credit Dave Purday

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Livett; Adams; Osgood; Munnelly; Short; Martin; Glashan. Simmons; Sedgwick; Naismith; Pettet; Osinibi; Higgins; McRae; Derrick. Rolfe; Hicken; Fotheringham; Horner; Harries.

Guernsey Raiders RFC

Roberts; Armstrong; McGann; Teasdale; Smith; Thomas; Boyland; Bellingham; Morgan; Bray; Hillier; Webb; Creber; Rice; Smiler. Steventon; Pinkney; Smith; Sayer; Barnes.

 

HALF TIME SCORE - Sevenoaks Rugby 10 – 7 Guernsey Raiders RFC

FULL TIME SCORE - Sevenoaks Rugby 33 – 26 Guernsey Raiders RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

35' Higgins Try

37' Munnelly Try

43' Adams Penalty

48' Adams Try Adams Conversion

60' Adams P

70' Adams Try Adams C

78' Adams Try Adams C

80' Martin P

 

GUERNSEY RAIDERS SCORES PLUS TIMES

4' Matt Creber T Owen Thomas Con

60' Ethan Smith T Thomas Con

70' Ciaran McGann T

79' Jacob Pinkney T McGann Con

  

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Charlie Naismith

ATTENDANCE - 260

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Another close one... Bury St Edmunds - 25/02/23

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby hosted Bury St Edmonds for a thrilling Nat 2 encounter on Saturday 25 February at Knole Paddock. Bury played with ball in hand all day and after pressing on the Oaks line for the final 5 minutes of the match were duly rewarded when Man of the Match Matt Bursey trotted over the line from short quarters for a try that was converted by Charlie Reed to seal a five point victory for Bury.

Bury also opened the scoring of this thrilling match, when Ciaraan Leeson found space on the left wing following a well-worked move for a try and Reed slotted the extras. Sevenoaks then took the game to the visitors in the shape of four unanswered tries. The pick of these was without doubt Josh Pettet romping down the left wing to dot the ball down over the whitewash. Before then, Jonny Short had darted over for a trademark try form 20 yards out that Adams converted. The next brace for Oaks came through first James Fotheringham bursting through from midfield and then Olly Rossillo scored following a delicate nudge through by Jack Martin. A telling close to the first half came in the shape of a well-worked try by Bursey who carried the ball from close quarters and dotted it down under the posts.

Bury came out full of verve and duly took the game to Oaks in the second half, coming back from 24-14. If the home side had owned the first half, the lads in green from Suffolk certainly bossed the second half. Samir in the centres was a handful all day and carried strongly and scythed through the Oaks defensive line early into the second half. Reed slotted the extras. Game on. Bury then pressed again into the Oaks half but it was Oaks who found the interception in the shape of Shadyn Osgood, immense in defense all day, and he raced all but the length of the pitch before an interchange found Ban Adams in the right hand channel and he duly converted his own try.

The reply was rapid and Bury stormed back up the pitch, with some excellent interplay resulting in Leeson darting over for his second. Oaks then squandered some field position before a thrilling crescendo to the match with the visitors hammering the Oaks line. After a sequence of penalties to Bury, Bursey found space on the flank of an attacking ruck and scored the try that sealed it for Bury, which Reed converted.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Rosillo; Adams; Gumbleton ©; Osgood; Short; Martin; Glason. Ganley; Sedgwick; Naismith; Pettet; Higgins; Hackett; McRae; Derrick. Rolfe; Hicken; Osinibi; Stone.

Bury St Edmonds RFC

Reed; Leeson; Brown; Kharbouch; Attfield; Drury-Hawkins; Chsistie; Hill; McCartney; Cooper; Conquest; Brown;Bursey; Meyers; Stevenson. Kingdon; Jeffery; Grigss-Pettitt; Strath; Hall.

 

HALF TIME SCORE Sevenoaks Rugby 24 – 14 Bury St Edmunds RFC

FULL TIME SCORE Sevenoaks Rugby 31 – 35 Bury St Edmunds RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

10' Jonny Short Try Ben Adams Con

20' Josh Pettet Try

30' James Fotheringham Try Ben Adams Con

35' Ben Rossilo Try

49' Adams T Adams Con

 

BURY ST EDMONDS RFC SCORERS PLUS TIMES

4' Ciaran Leeson T Charlie Read Con

40' Matt Bursey T Charlie Reed Con

45' Samir Kharbouch T Reed Con

60' Ciaraan Leeson T Reed C

79' Bursey T Reed C

 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH Matt Bursey

ATTENDANCE 411

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A win at home vs. Rochford - 28th January, 2023

Sevenoaks Rugby welcomed Rochford Hundred RFC to the Paddock on Saturday 28 January for a highly entertaining encounter that saw Sevenoaks take away four points for the win plus the four-try bonus point.

Having been slow out the blocks in previous games it was an electric start for Sevenoaks as Matt Holmes got over the line for a brace inside the first five minutes. The first was set up by Jonny Short darting down the left wing and the second resulted from a Scott Sedgwick interception from inside the Oaks half before popping the ball to Holmes to score a try that Ben Adams converted. Sevenoaks' third try involved Sedgwick romping down the right wing and over the try line following some solid phase play from Oaks and a worldie of a 20 metre pass by Oaks fly half and man of the match Jack Martin.

Rochford countered with two tries of their own either side of a try by Adams for Oaks, the first for the visitors was from an excellent interception by right wing Kyle Johnson who finished the score superbly from outside the Oaks 22 and the second just before half-time was a pushover try for Rochford hooker Rob Gardner converted by Chris Dudman. The 22-10 score at half time meant that both sides were very much in the fray and the opening phases of the second half would be crucial.

As it was Oaks started the second half stronger and following some excellent work in midfield from Josh Pettet and Fred Richardson moved the ball wide to Adams who used his feet and his strength to work his way over the line before converting his own try. Oaks were pressing again when the Rochford lock Ben Thomas was removed from play following a head clash in a tackle scenario that seemed a result of poor timing versus anything more malicious; he sportingly checked on the opponent involved before leaving this field of play. The red card sapped some energy from the game and it all become a bit fragmented, with Oaks capitalising on their possession and patience in the shape of two penalties from the trusty boot of Ben Adams.

Rochford then really took the game to Oaks for the final quarter with centres Damien Brambley and Sam Cappaert orchestrating proceedings with verve. 

Every penalty it was tap and go and with Conor Ganley in the bin for Oaks, despite some excellent defending by Oaks, the ambition was rewarded as Najee Mundicha barrelled over the line from short quarters for a try that Dudman converted. 

Both sides had chances for further scores before the final whistle brought it all to a close with Oaks 35-19 victors in an important result for them given how tight the lower third of the National Two South table is beginning to look.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Livett; Adams; Gumbleton ©; Fotheringham; Short; Martin; Holmes. Simmons; Sedgwick; Simmons; Pettet; Higgins; Hackett; Hicken; Richardson. Naismith; Ganley; Nicholls; Stone; Galligan.

Rochford Hundred RFC

Dudman; Johnson; Bramley; Cappaert; Ikhifa; Henwood; Spivey; Moran; Gardner; Mundicha; Thomas; Jennings; Shields; Rufai; Duaibe. Phelps-Knights ; Rasor; Cornish; Gould; Muzuzu

 

HT SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 22 – 12 Rochford Hundred RFC

 

FULL TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 35 – 19 Rochford Hundred RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

2' Matt Holmes Try

4' Matt Holmes T Ben Adams Con

20' Scott Sedgwick T

35' Adams T

41' Adams T

60' Adams Penalty

63' Adams P

 

ROCHFORD HUNDRED RFC SCORERS PLUS TIMES

25' Kyle Johnson T

40' Rob Gardner T Chris Dudman C

71' Najee Mundicha T Dudman C

 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Jack Martin, Sevenoaks Rugby

ATTENDANCE - 340

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Sevenoaks Rugby v Worthing Raiders RFC - Saturday 7th January 2023

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby welcomed Worthing Raiders RFC to the Paddock on Saturday 7 January, as the two teams looked to use the blustery conditions to blow away any seasonal excess.

In very wind conditions, the sports cliché of a 'game of two halves' aptly describes a match when Raiders secured 21 unanswered points with the wind at their backs in the first half, and Oaks scored 19 points without reply in the second hand playing with the wind. 

The hosts fell just short of levelling the match in a conversion kick that was the last play of an outstanding match of rugby played in the best spirit.

Raiders earned their first half ascendancy on the basis of excellent recycling through the phases superbly marshalled by Player of the Match Will Regelsford from 9. He opened the Worthing scoring by darting over the whitewash for the first of Raiders' three tries, each well converted by Matt McLean.

The second Worthing try was the pick of the match, as fluid movement following several phases saw winger Tom Bowen waltz over the line. Sevenoaks tried their best to make incursions but it was the Raiders handling from deep that impressed, and ultimately resulted in their third try by Jack Forrest following a well-worked play from the midfield.

The second half was highly competitive from the get go, and with the wind against them Raiders were finding it hard to clear their lines. In attempting to move the ball out of their own 22 through the hands, an errant pass presented an interception opportunity for Oaks wing Drew Forrester which he snaffled to romp home for a try converted by Ben Adams.

When Henry Galligan darted over for another converted try for Oaks on 65 minutes the game was well and truly afoot. Oaks applied the pressure and with the Raiders number eight sent to the bin following a sequence of penalties for Oaks, Jonny Short found a gap on the blind side after an Oaks scrum from five yards out to dive over the line for Oaks, ten feet in from the left touch line. This presented Adams with a challenging opportunity to level the match, and unfortunately for Oaks his kick – the last play of the game – sailed to the right of the right hand upright and Worthing claimed what was on balance a deserved hard-fought victory.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Adams; Forrester; Osgood; Fotheringham; Short; Martin; Holmes. Simmons; Sedgwck; Simmons; Pettet ©; Higgins; Richardson; Hickin; Derrick. Ganley; Thompson; Osinibi; Galligan; Livett.

Worthing Raiders RFC

McLean; Bowen; Forrest; Sims; Barnes; Evans; Rigelsford. Bruce; Luks; Sargent; Browne; Perkins ©; Carr; Taggart. Jibulu; Clarke; Hoare; Derrick.

 

HT SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 0 – 21 Worthing Raiders RFC

FULL TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 19 – 21  Worthing Raiders RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORERS PLUS TIMES 

49' Drew Forrester T Ben Adams C

65' Henry Galligan T Ben Adams C

80' Jonny Short T

 

WORTHING RAIDERS RFC SCORERS PLUS TIMES

9' Will Rigelsford T Matt McLean C

25' Tom Bowen T McLean C

37' Jack Forrest T McLean C

 

ATTENDANCE 310

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TJs Home - 10th December, 2022

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby welcomed Tonbridge Juddians RFC to the Paddock on Saturday 10 December, for their first competitive encounter in over a decade.

The opening salvos were predictably abrasive with the match played between each side’s ten yard line and no penetration made by either team.

After a magnum of pod play, tackling, line outs and breaks half made by both teams finally TJs established field position and stayed patient before scoring in the Oaks corner a try by Hugo Watson that was excellently converted by Tom White.

Oaks replied by finding a great opportunity in the TJs 22 just before the half time whistle but didn’t manage to yield any points 

The second half promptly followed the template of the first as first TJs then Oaks looked to make incursions. Oaks had their chances. Ultimately TJs pressure in the Oaks half resulted in a try from close quarters by Duncan Tout again excellently converted by White.

TJs then got a penalty before Oaks finally got reward for stoic persistence and Ben Adams raced over for a try but just missed out on converting his own try in what was the last play of the game.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Adams; Corrigan; Osgood; Gumbleton ©; Forrester; Martin; Galligan. Simmons; Sedgwck; Ganley; Pettet; Osinibi; Higgins; Hickin; Hall. Simmons; Nicholls; Morris; Shirtcliff; Livett. 

Tonbridge Juddians RFC

Hotston; Lucas; Tout; Newey; Watson; White; Walsh©. Boon; van Vuuren; Bratton; Parker; Seif; Reid; Sullivan; Munnelly. Conlon; Freeman; Groocock; Petrozzi; Young; Fenley.

 

HT SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 0 -  7 Tonbridge Juddians RFC

FULL TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 5 -17  Tonbridge Juddians RFC

 

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

80” Adams T 

Tonbridge Juddians RFC SCORERS PLUS TIMES

35” Watson T White C

55” Tout T White C

60” White P

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Alex Reid

ATTENDANCE - 650

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Henley at home - 26th November, 2022

MATCH REPORT 

Sevenoaks Rugby welcomed Henley Hawks to the Paddock on Saturday 26 November, for what promised to be a lively Nat 2 encounter. Osks enjoyed early ascendency and within seven minutes Ben Adams jinked over the line for a try he duly converted. Then a rampaging run by Fred Richardson broke through the Hawks centres to enable Ollie Shirtcliff to stroll over for a second try before Oaks pressure at the line out resulted in a penalty try. These scores capitalised on a visit to the bin for a Hawks player for a high hit on Adams.

Hawks then found some form and put together some strong phase play that pushed the Oaks back inside their own 22. Patience told and after recycling the ball from a catch and drive Henley prop Rory Mason ploughed over from short quarters for a try that Max Titchener excellently converted adding to his earlier penalty.

The 19-10 half time score reflected a solid first stanza by both teams though Oaks might have felt that they left one score on the table.

The second half opened with a purple patch for the visitors and they made their mark in the shape of a try by Tom Emery following a well established drive from the line out that Titchener converted and then a rinse and repeat of the same move resulted in Oaks sacking the Hawks line out and a penalty try gave Hawks a 24-22 advantage to take into the final ten minutes.

Oaks managed to find field position and earned a penalty that Adams slotted from just inside the Henley half. He then hit another penalty from closer range. Then, with the score at 28-24 Henley roared back into Oaks territory and had at least two chances at a winning try but it wasn’t to be.

SQUADS

Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Livett; Adams; Osgood; Gumbleton ©; Corrigan; Martin; Shirtcliff. Simmons; Sedgwck; Ganley; Pettet; Higgins; Richardson; Hicken; Derrick. Naismith; Thomson; Osinibi; Horner; Forrester.

Henley Hawks RFC

Rawsthorn; Crowley; Flynn; Davis; Norvill; Titchener; Crow. Manning ©; Emery; Mason; Harrison; Ellaboudey; Hall; Vooght; Lunnon. MacRae; Shpylka; White; Wood; Fenley.

HT SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby 19 - 10 Henley Hawks RFC

FULL TIME SCORE

Sevenoaks Rugby.28 - 24 Henley Hawks RFC

SEVENOAKS RUGBY SCORES PLUS TIMES 

7” Ben Adams T Ben Adams C

20” Olle Shirtcliff T 

33” Penalty Try

46” Ben Adams P

75” Ben Adams P

79” Ben Adams P

HENLEY HAWKS SCORERS PLUS TIMES

15” Max Titcheber P

39” Rory Mason T Max Titchener C

50” Tom Emery T Max T C

55” Penalty Try

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Jack Martin

ATTENDANCE 

316

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Blackheath at home pics - 19th November 2022

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Oaks comeback to share the spoils - Sevenoaks 26 vs. Dorking 26

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.

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Bonus Point Win on Oaks’ National 2 Debut

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!! 

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Champions!

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.

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Title celebrations must wait as Oaks’ win to secure promotion

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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9 try win takes Oaks five points clear at the top

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.

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