U13s triumph at Sutton & Epsom Festival

So the Sevenoaks U13s girls made the journey to Sutton and Epsom RFC, for round 2 of the South East U13s Girls rugby championship.

The team comprised Maddie Roff, Anna Jones, Catherine Davies, Millie Rabbitt, Tori Sellors, Hannah Walton and Zoe Clark.

Game 1 Horsham

The girls had trained hard and were ready for the challenge. Horsham were well drilled but unable to cope with the pace of the Oaks attack. Quick ball and a number of turnovers put Oaks in control and at the final whistle the score was 8-0 to Sevenoaks (tries Davies 3, Roff 3, Sellors 1, Jones 1).

Game 2 Uckfield

Oaks were growing in confidence, off loading well and securing the ball through great rucking skills from Sellors, who bought another dimension to the play, enabling the speed of their backs to show. At the final whistle the score was 11-0 to Oaks (tries Rabbitt 2, Davies 2, Sellors 1, Roff 4, Jones 2)

Game 3 Sutton and Epsom

A tough game, the teams drawing level at 4 all the last time they met in the competition and with Sutton having the benefit of home support. Sevenoaks knew they were in a game from the outset. Both teams showed great attack and defence, but the breakthrough came with a great 'team' try from Oaks scored by Jones. Sutton were spurred on by home support and put Oaks under immense pressure after the break, pulling one back to even the score at 1 a piece. Oaks though were determined and pressed and pressed until Davies made the breakthrough with a great individual try to make the score 2-1, with 3 minutes to go. Shortly afterwards Davies left the field injured and Sevenoaks remained camped in the Sutton half. Rabbitt went over only for the ball to be held up. As Sutton was  unable to break the resilient Oaks, who were determined to hold on to their lead. At the final whistle Oaks had held firm to win 2-1. (Tries Davies 1, Jones 1)

Game 4 Aylesford

In the final game Oaks faced an Aylesford team who had won 2 and drawn with S&E 4 all. Oaks were caught straight away by a great running try by the Aylesford winger to put the opposition in front. Oaks were a team playing with confidence and determination, looking to fight back. 3 quick tries took the wind out of Aylesford's sails and a couple of injuries with 3 more tries from Oaks put the game out of Aylesford's reach.

At the whistle Oaks won 6-1 (tries Jones 3, Davies 2, Sellors 2),

A fantastic afternoon seeing Oaks again run out -- winners with a total of 27 tries scored to 2 conceded.

U13 host local Tunbridge Wells in local friendly match

 After an enjoyable group joint training session with the U15 and U13 girls from Tunbridge Wells RFC the girls separated into their respective age groups for some competitive action.

Although shawn of a number of players through half term absences, it was clear both teams wanted to puton a good show.Tunbridge Wells started the stronger exhibiting some great ball handling and support running to run in 3 early tries. Sevenoaks re-grouped and concentrated on their Defence winning a number of balls at the breakdown. With a bit of grit and determination Sevenoaks ran in 5 tries in the lead up to the end of the first half to Tunbridge Wells 1 leaving the score at half time 5-4.

In the second half Sevenoaks began to turn the screw dominating possession with some excellent running tries. Tunbridge wells were beginning to tire but did manage a further 2 breakaway tries to Sevenoaks 6. Final score Sevenoaks U13 -11 Tunbridge Wells U13 6. Team- Millie Rabbitt (4), Anna Jones (6) , Charlotte Owen (1) and Zoe Clarke.

U15s host locals Tunbridge Wells in friendly match

Sevenoaks U15s put in a strong performance against Tunbridge Wells, only to be undone by an excellent individual try in the last minute from the visitors to clinch the match 30-25. A purple patch in the first half saw 7oaks run in their tries from some quick recycling and direct running. Lucy at scrum half saw some holes around the breakdown to run in a pair. Sally and Phoebe's tries made good use of the space out wide with Natasha unstoppable at pace up the middle to go over. 7oaks are starting to show promise, having only played together for a few weeks this year, but showing the team spirit of a much older side.  Very proud of the girls today.

players (tries):  Izzy Avery, Rosa Cunninham, Immy Denby Jones, Lucy Fitzmaurice (2), Natasha Kelley (1), Katie Kelly, Phoebe Leach (1), Fran McDaid, Elspeth O'Shea, Sally Williams (1)

U15s challenged by Essex BaasBaas - 11th October

In a second round Kent Cup match our U15s were faced with a very established team again - the Essex BaaBaas. The first team they played against in the festival a few weeks ago (resulting in 24 BaaBaas - 0 Sevenoaks).

In the longest match our U15s faced to date, (25mins each way with a 5 min break), the BaaBaas were surprised by the tackling skills and strong defence from the entire Sevenoaks team.   The girls' determination prevailed, resulting in 35 BaaBaas - 15 Sevenoaks).  This was also a fantastic opportunity for the girls to play uncontested scrums (first half) and contested scrums (second half).

Notably on the day was a fantastic breakaway, resulting in a try by Lucy Fitzmaurice.  Special mention also goes to our new girls  - Natasha, Rosa, Georgia, Josie - who, after only one or two training sessions got stuck in and held off many attacks from the BaaBaas.

A great display of TREDS values were demonstrated by the girls yet again - with the Club Junior Chairman making special reference of the strength of their determination and team spirit.  Well done to everyone who played. 

by Tonya Williams

U13s first festival - Oct 11th - Match report

This Sunday saw the Sevenoaks U13 Girls team take their first outing to a competitive environment.

They were 1 of 4 teams attending the RFU Area 3 Cup Competition held at Pulborough RFC in West Sussex.Other teams involved were the hosts Pulborough, Sutton and Epsom RFC and Dartfordians RFC.

Our team on the day was Zoe Clark, Emily Rabbitt, Anna Jones, Catherine Davies, Maddie Roff, Charlotte Owen and Hannah Walton.

In their first match the girls were up against the hosts Pulborough. In a had fought game, the girls, as the game wore on began to find their feet and the last 3 weeks of training in areas such as the breakdown and support running paid off as the girls ran out winners with 6 tries to 2. ( Catherine 4, Anna and Maddie1 a piece).

The second game saw the girls up against a well established and well drilled Sutton and Epsom team. The opposition proved quick and very versatile ball to hand requiring all of the girls to dig deep in defence and put in the tackles when they were on the back foot. A great display of team defence work.The game moved from end to end with Suton and Epsom scoring 4 tries but each time they did with Sevenoaks digging team and pulling the score back with some great examples of attacking rugby.In the end the score was 4 tries apiec a fantastic effort from both teams. Tries (Catherine 1, Millie 1, Anna 1 and Maddie 1)

In the final game Oaks played Dartford. Dartford had only formed as a team 3 weeks ago and although they offered a spirited resistance Oaks were developing and gelling as a team, At the final whistle Oaks had scored 11 tries to Dartfordians 3.( Catherine 6, Millie 2, Anna 2 and Maddie 1.

At the end of the competition Sevenoaks were drawn level with Sutton and Epsom on points but were crowned winners on the day on number of tries scored. 21 to Suttons 18.

A fantastic result on their first outing together. All the girls put in 100% effort well done to the try scorers and special mention to Hannah and Zoe and Charlotte for outstanding contributions.

by David Rabbitt