The Regional Premier League is RFU Level 5, the preserve of the top 100 Clubs in the country and Sevenoaks Rugby Club’s highest ever standing
Sevenoaks Rugby Club sealed promotion in style on Saturday with a 26-10 win away to Thurrock RFC in front of a 200-strong travelling fan base.
At the start of the day Oaks were one of four teams in promotion and play-off contention, knowing that a bonus point win would guarantee the top slot in an incredibly tight League. They won in style and with other results seeing Brighton leapfrog Camberley and Medway for a play-off slot versus Colchester, Sevenoaks ended the day as Champions three points clear of the chasing pack.
Special scenes greeted the final whistle. A suitably decorous ‘pitch invasion’ in the Essex afternoon sunshine brought players, coaches, physios, managers, families, supporters and friends together as One Club to celebrate promotion and an outstanding season of success.
Head Coach, Adam Bowman said: “A hugely special day for the senior squad and club! As I mentioned to the squad after the game – this is not a 1st XV promotion, but a Senior Squad promotion. A massive well done to all players and staff involved, everyone has worked incredibly hard to achieve this. I am already looking forward to the challenges of next season and a new league!”
The match was a compelling and open tussle with both sides looking to play plenty of rugby. For the first 60 minutes the prospect of a bonus point win was very much in the balance – Thurrock taking the game to Oaks with strong ball carrying, precise kicking from hand and the right wing proving a particular handful.
Oaks had a nightmare of a start that saw Thurrock dot the ball down for a try within the first three minutes. Then gradually and reassuringly Oaks began to dominate. A telling converted try by Matt Holmes just before the half time whistle to follow up on the earlier score by Richard Adenyi-Jones meant Oaks took momentum and a 12-5 lead into the sheds.
The next try was conclusive, special and had every hallmark of the hours of training the navy and golds have put in during the campaign. Oaks moved the ball rapidly to the outside channel from within their own half before a sequence of structured phase plays created a gaping hole to stride through for one of Oaks’ best-worked team tries of the season. When Sean Derrick secured the fourth try and the bonus point, the drum beat and roars of the travelling faithful reached full volume.
With a full 20 minutes still to play the job was only half done as a game Thurrock outfit threw everything at Oaks. They did secure the one try the fight back merited yet Oaks as they have done with tenacious regularity this season fought like warriors to keep their line in tact and closed out the bonus point win.
Trevor Nicholson, Sevenoaks Rugby Club Chairman, said: “What a very special day for our Club. Thank you to everyone for your support for the whole season and especially to Head Coach, Adam Bowman and Director of Rugby, Roger McKerlie who have tirelessly devised, finessed and tweaked a constantly moving Senior Squad structure that proved resilient and skilful enough to beat every team in the league once, most of them twice.”
“The One Club spirit at Sevenoaks Rugby is stronger than ever, with members from across the generations out in force at Thurrock, the Acorns winning the Kent Plate Final, the 3’s winning the League, the 2’s and 4’s League runners-up and our juniors going from strength to strength.”
“We would also like to say thank you for the warm messages of congratulation from so many other clubs. We appear to be popular champions and as we enter the final few weeks there is much to look forward to in the shape of tours, end of season awards, sevens tournaments and two of our Acorns players forming part of a world record attempt to play the highest ever match of rugby up Everest. Like those intrepid adventurers raising vital funds for the work our charity Partner Wooden Spoon, the Club as a whole will continue to aim high.”
“A huge thank you again to everyone who does so much and gives up hours of time to ensure Sevenoaks Rugby Club is a fun, friendly and welcoming family place for all to play and watch rugby at the heart of the community.”
Director of Rugby, Roger McKerlie said: “Our passionate belief in being One Club is not lip service or a marketing sound bite, we live and breathe it every day.”
Let the celebrations begin! Credit: Dave Purday
“I am delighted that the 1st team fulfilled their potential by winning the League and I am equally pleased to see our other three senior sides coming first or second in their leagues, the Acorns bringing home the Kent Plate cup and the conveyor belt of success at junior level with the Under 12s, 13s and 14s boys all being county champions, the Under 15s boys being plate champions and the Academy 1st team squad winning the Kent Under 18s 7s.”
“Of course while we are revelling in the season’s achievements, we know that we have lots to do over the next few years and the planning has already started so it will be a busy off season. For now, congratulations and thanks to the players, coaches and medical staff who have managed this amazing 12 months.”
Michael Wooldridge, Sevenoaks Rugby Club President, said: “I would just like to say how proud I am of the club and that with Trevor’s vision for the club, Roger’s direction in all things rugby and Adam and his coaches’ superb implementation it has been an exceptional and incredibly rewarding season throughout.”
For more information about Sevenoaks Rugby Club, you can visit their website at www.sevenoaksrugby.com.
