Sevenoaks Rugby Matchday Programme 1December 2018

SEVENOAKS

RUGBY

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

LONDON 1 SOUTH

100 Images: Dave Purday

FIRST XV v DARTFORDIANS RFC SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

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WELCOME TO KNOLE PADDOCK HOME OF SEVENOAKS RUGBY FROM OUR PRESIDENT, MIKE WOOLDRIDGE

Welcome everybody to the Paddock – our wonderful home in the heart of Sevenoaks.

We are proud to be fielding five senior teams (including the Mighty Acorns – Champions of Kent) with Stuart Coleman and Adam Bowman at the helm as First XV Team Captain and Head Coach respectively.

Roger McKerlie, our Director of Rugby, is challenging the Firsts to finish in the top 4 of London 1 South which we all hope for, but are in no doubt as to the difficulty of the task.

It would be a significant improvement on last year’s 9th in what is a strong league with genuinely no easy game. So far so good with eight wins out of ten including being unbeaten at the Paddock.

We will continue to be as professional as possible on and off the field whilst remaining openly amateur as far as paying players to play. Our “one club” ethos will again, this season, be the driver to the decisions and directions the Club as a whole will take.

We welcome Dartfordians today, and are delighted to host our local rivals who are back in this league. We have both had the pleasure of being majorly influenced by the gifted

Ron Standen, who sadly passed away last year. More from our Pearl of wisdom later in the programme about Ron and our opposition today.

I would also personally like to welcome our Vice Presidents and thank them all for their support of the Club, both in the past and the present, which is greatly appreciated by myself and the whole management team.

Finally, today we mark two Centurions (not out) and I am honoured on behalf of the Club to award them with their tankards; in fact one will be awarded his by Richard Shirtcliff, his grandfather, a past President. Ollie has been part of the Club all his life, whilst our favourite adopted Aussie, Dan (DP) Power has been with us since 2014. More on both in this programme but well done chap and cobber.

Here’s to an enjoyable afternoon on and off the pitch at the Paddock.

All the best, Wooly MIKE WOOLDRIDGE mwooldridge@savills.com 07979 811511

Sevenoaks Rugby Club, Knole Paddock, Plymouth Drive, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3RP Telephone: 01732 452351 • www.sevenoaksrugby.com

CENTURY UP FOR MIGHTY OAK SHIRTCLIFF

sevenoaksrugby.com - November 2, 2018 There have been few more passionate members of the Oaks senior squad than Oliver Shirtcliff. A ‘born and bred’ Oak, Shirtcliff has risen through the ranks of the Club from mini and junior, winning the National Plate Final with the Academy at Under 17 level and playing an integral part for the First XV that won promotion to London 1 South.

A talented ball player with an exceptional accuracy of pass, his career has seen him take the 9, 15 and now 10 shirt for the Club. The match against Medway RFC saw Shirtcliff take to the field for his 100th league appearance, an exceptional achievement and made even more special by the fact he is still only 25 years old.

Attending Sutton Valance for secondary school, Shirtcliff was part of the successful junior age group that produced current Senior squad members, Will De Smith, Josh Pettet, Seb Goodhew and Jonny Short as well as others that have represented the First XV in recent years such as his cousin Zandy Medhurst, Tom Naismith, Dom Saunders, Charlie Roberts,

Ben Summers and George Beale. That side, arguably the most successful in recent Oaks history, went on to win the National Plate Final at Northampton Saints under the watchful eye of current Oaks coaches Adam Bowman and Mark Reay, as well as Ollie’s father Andy and Oaks legend Jon Muchmore.

Having graduated from the Academy, Shirtcliff soon made his mark in the Senior set-up, making his First XV debut against Old Mid Whitgiftian and regularly playing for the First XV despite his University commitments in Birmingham. A popular player with his peers, he was also part of the successful Squirrels 7s team that was victorious at the Bournemouth 7s. The 2015-16 season saw Shirtcliff play a pivotal part in Oaks promotion to London South 1, with the First XV winning the play-off match against London Cornish on a sunny April afternoon. Since then, he has continued to be part of a Squad that has evolved under the stewardship of Adam Bowman and it is fitting that the side are currently enjoying their finest run of games since that promotion season.

“As someone who joined the club at 6 years

old and has played throughout each age group, the ultimate goal was to be able to represent this club at First team level” says Shirtcliff. “To now be part of a select group of individuals that have reached 100 caps is an extremely proud, emotional and pretty humbling moment.

Especially so given other Shirtcliffs that have worn the navy and gold before me and helped me get to this point.”

“I’ve coached Oliver now for coming up to ten years and he has Sevenoaks Rugby Club running through his blood’ says Head Coach Adam Bowman. “He’s incredibly passionate about the Club and is one of the central figures within the Squad. He sets the standard at training and is a big voice and motivator throughout the week and then on match day.

I’ve been really impressed with him this year in particular and his desire to improve areas of his game that needed work on. He’s gone away with the right attitude and been very impressive so far this season. I think we forget sometimes that he’s still only 25, so he’s got lots more rugby in him and will no doubt be a central part of the squad for many more years to come.’

“I’d say he’s matured as a player significantly over the past year and has worked incredibly hard to improve that area of his game” said his backs coach Matt Bates.“Ollie has always had the skill set, but the biggest improvement for me is his temperament on the field and I think playing in various positions in the back line has helped him see the game from different perspectives. Off the field, he represents what we are about as a senior squad and has always been very welcoming to new players coming into the fold and I know guys like Isaac Winter when he was here, Dan Power and Nigel Gumbleton value the time that Ollie takes to make them feel welcomed into the squad. He knows how important it is to make players feel welcome and it’s a special quality to have”.

Shirtcliff himself echoes those thoughts and clearly sees Sevenoaks Rugby Club as more than just a team to play rugby for on a Saturday, saying “personally, this rugby club has been more than just a couple of hours on a Saturday or a Sunday. It has acted like an

extended family to me and given me more than I could have ever asked for. To be able to reach this milestone alongside the current group of players, coaches and supporters that we have, some of which I’ve known for a number of years and have learnt a huge amount from, is something I will always cherish.”

And his current captain Stuart Coleman, a centurion himself, clearly enjoys having the playmaker in his team. “Ollie is similar to me in that he has played mini and junior rugby here before going into the Seniors” says Coleman.

“As a captain, he helps me hugely on match day, motivating the players in the warm up and before we go out – his passion for the Club is there for all to see and that is a huge part of being at this rugby club – understanding the history and playing for those that have gone before us. Ollie gets that 100%”.

Club President Mike Wooldridge has known Shirtcliff for over 20 years, watching him move through the age groups and into the Seniors, saying ‘I am absolutely delighted that Ollie Shirtcliff has reached the landmark 100 caps.

He is a delightful young man and a credit to his family and the Club. Having known Ollie since childhood, and taught him to pass off with both hands during summer holidays in Southwold, (it was actually the other way round), he has grown up at SRFC through the age groups and matured into a fine rugby player.’

And he’s not done there. At 25 and in good form, few would bet against him to add many more caps to his name over the coming seasons with the fly half commenting “There have been some incredible highs along the way, none more so than our promotion a couple of years back, and I have a feeling there are many more to come - recent results coupled with a fairly young squad would certainly suggest so.

Being only 25, I’m now looking forward to the challenges that the next 100 caps bring whilst hopefully chasing down Mark Ridout’s long standing record along the way!

From everyone at Sevenoaks Rugby Club, congratulations Ollie, you are now part of two very special Clubs!

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OAKS POWER SET FOR 100th OUTING

sevenoaksrugby.com - November 23, 2018 Power. Never has a surname been more apt for a player. If supporters wanted to know what a new prop from Oz would bring to a Sevenoaks RFC First XV shirt, then all they needed to do was look at the match day programme when Oaks took on Beckenham RFC in 2014 and look at the new props surname as an indication to what he would offer the side. But in fact, as he approaches his 100th First XV cap this weekend against Havant RFC, the Oaks faithful have seen that the hulking Sevenoaks RFC prop brings so much more than sheer power.

position Oaks have occupied in Power’s time at the Club. His bullocking runs and tough as teak tackling has given much joy to the Paddock faithful over the years and the cries of “Go On Power” are now synonymous with Oaks First XV match days.

‘DP’ to his team mates, Power made an immediate impact on his home debut, scoring a try against Tunbridge Wells RFC. His consistency in availability and form has meant that he has acquired a century of caps in fast fashion, playing a crucial role in Oaks rise from third in London 2 South in his first season, to play-off promotion winners in 2016 and to currently sitting fourth in London 1 South, the highest

Coleman continued “But it’s not just his work with the ball in hand. He’s lethal in defence and I’ve seen him bury quite a few opposition players in his time here! Those hits give the side real energy and a lift, even if I’m wincing a bit! Off the field, DP has become a really good mate – we hit it off pretty much as soon as he arrived at the Club and he’s a very popular member of the squad. He drives a lot of the

“He’s been an brilliant asset to the Club over the past four years’ said First XV captain Stuart Coleman. “Despite playing in one of the most abrasive positions, I can’t really remember a game at he has been out injured. He’s as tough as nails and I often feel sorry for the opposition when he is at full tilt – for a big guy he gets going to a decent pace and that combination of size and speed means he is bloody hard to put down!”.

social side, as you might expect an Australian prop to do (!) and a lot of the squad look up to him – in particular, he’s been really welcoming to guys that have come to the Club and taken them under his wing, showing true rugby and Oaks spirit.”

“Dan has been one of the ‘go to’ players for me over my tenure in charge” said Head Coach Adam Bowman. “He’s got the respect of all of his peers and is a hugely popular member of the squad. This season we are seeing the best of DP – he worked really hard over the summer on his fitness and we are reaping the rewards this season. It’s enabled him to have many more involvements in the game and a bigger impact.

It says a lot about him that he’s worked so hard and he should be very proud of what he has achieved at Oaks.”

Oaks second row Josh Pettet, who has grown close to Power since his return to the Club from University, echoes his Head Coach and Captain’s assessment of the man mountain, saying “Dan is one of the standout characters in the group, whether it be his dodgy moustache, questionable accent or leading a social event – you just can’t miss him! Having played with him for a few seasons now, he is an invaluable member of the squad and firmly has become a Sevenoaks man through and through, despite what his passport says.” Pettet continued ‘He’s a true gent of the game and is an absolute pleasure to know him on and off the field.”

The man himself has clearly enjoyed his time at Oaks. So much so, that he gained permanent residency in the UK last year, which shows how much of a good match the Club and player have been. “It’s come around real quick” said the prop. “The Club means a lot to me. The Club welcomed me as their own since day one and I’ve loved being a part of this squad and Club.

It’s been a huge part of why I have stayed in England.”

With Oliver Shirtcliff also becoming a centurion in the past two weeks, Head Coach Adam Bowman believes that the level of experience provided by players like Shirtcliff and Power is providing Oaks with the tools necessary to

compete at the higher end of the league. “Dan and Ollie are core to the squads success and have been leaders and drivers of standards over the past years. That experience is invaluable really – they will have experienced some tough days as you do on the rugby field, but they have clearly learnt from all their experiences in an Oaks shirt and are making that count this year.

It’s important we put those learnings in place this weekend as we play at Havant, a place we haven’t won at as a squad. I’m delighted for Dan, as are the whole Club, and I hope we can put in a performance that celebrates his 100th league game.” (PS.We won 34-33) DP will lead out the side out on Saturday, an honour afforded to a player on their 100th league appearance, his chest will be puffed out that bit more, filled with pride and no doubt emotion. “I’ve loved every moment of being involved at the Oaks. The Club is always striving to be better which I really like and they’ve always treated me, from day 1, as one of their own. I’m proud to be an Oak and can’t wait to get going again on Saturday.”

On behalf of us all at Sevenoaks RFC, congratulations DP and thank you for your contribution to the Oaks over the past four years! A true Mighty Oak!

A WARM WELCOME TO DARTFORDIANS RFC Today we extend a warm welcome to old friends being the players, officials and supporters of Dartfordians RFC. One year older than SRFC, Dartfordians were founded on 25th July, 1924 when 30 Old Boys from Dartford Grammar School met to form Old Dartfordians RFC, subsequently playing their first match on 27th September that year against Major H Pochin’s XV. One man was the driving force behind the formation of the Club, being Toby Price, a chemistry master at the school who served the club in every capacity during their formative years.

Darts expanded rapidly and by the mid ‘30s were fielding four sides, although without a long term location. After WW2 they did eventually settle at Bourne Road in 1949 and their first substantial Clubhouse was erected in 1953. The ‘70s brought success at all levels including a Twickenham Sevens finals appearance in 1971. They further expanded to six sides and officially went “open” in 1976 and changed the name to the present Dartfordians RFC. They are putting out more sides than most, and have an excellent new Clubhouse and gym and are once again a major force in Kent rugby.

We have a mutual bond in the memory of Ron Standen, quite possibly Dartfordians’ favourite son. Ron was an outstanding fly half for Darts and he played many times for Kent in the sixties and seventies. After he hung up his boots,

Ron took to coaching and he masterminded our renaissance for three seasons in the early noughties, culminating in our promotion back to Level 6 in 2004/05. He then answered an emergency call to coach us again in the middle of 2007/08 for two more seasons, ensuring our stability during troubled times. Ron’s premature death at the beginning of 2017 was a grievous blow to both Oaks and Darts. Both clubs remember him with great admiration and affection.

Like us Darts have had their fair share of promotions and relegations since league rugby began in 1987 but curiously this will only be our seventh meeting under league regulations.

We played each other twice in Kent 1, and then home and away in 2003/04 when Darts gained promotion to Level 6 and again in ‘15/16, our own latest promotion year. In fact our home fixture against Darts that time was the final of the regular season before our victorious playoff fixture, and Darts gave us a reminder that they are an outfit to be reckoned with, winning 33-26 here at The Paddock.

We knew then they were on the rise and last season they duly got their own promotion back to Level 6, automatically as champions of London 2 South East. This term Darts have more than held their own, so we can expect a rousing contest between two of Kent’s top sides.

HOWARD PEARL

OTHER LONDON 1 SOUTH MATCHES BEING PLAYED TODAY: Chobham v London Cornish, Cobham v Chichester, Hove v Thurrock Medway v Brighton, Tottonians v Camberley, Westcombe Park v Havant

SEVENOAKS v DARTFORDIANS RFC SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018 - 2.00PM KICK OFF LONDON 1 SOUTH

LEIGHTON RALPH

15

FULL BACK

15

LIAM BRENCHER

BEN ADAMS

14

RIGHT WING

14

DAN NUKAJAM

JOSH THORNEYCROFT

13

O/S CENTRE

13

OLLIE EDWARDS

NIGEL GUMBLETON

12

I/S CENTRE

12

SI BRIGGS (C)

JONNY SHORT

11

LEFT WING

11

ASH HADLER

OLLIE SHIRTCLIFF

10

STAND OFF

10

MIKE BRIGGS

MATT HOLMES

9

SCRUM HALF

9

KIERON RYAN

DANIEL POWER

1

L/H PROP

1

ALEX VOUSDEN

SCOTT SEDGWICK

2

HOOKER

2

SAM COOKSLEY

CHARLIE NAISMITH

3

T/H PROP

3

LOUIS CHAPMAN

STUART COLEMAN (C)

4

LOCK

4

LEWIS POTTER

JOSH PETTET

5

LOCK

5

KENNY LEE

SEAN DERRICK

6

B/S FLANKER

6

TOM DUGGAN

WILL DE SMITH

7

O/S FLANKER

7

JOE WHEELER

ALEX SUTTIE

8

No. 8

8

RYAN CHANDLER

MATT SIMMONS

16

REPLACEMENTS

16

SAM ALLEN

FRED RICHARDSON

17

17

STEVE GARRETT

CHARLIE CORRIGAN

18

18

MATT DUNNE

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SEVENOAKS RUGBY FIRST XV Sevenoaks Rugby Club runs four senior sides. The First XV is playing in London 1 South, and achieved a creditable ninth place last season, the Second XV play in the Kent Invicta League 1, our Third XV in the Shepherd Neame Premier 2 East and Fourth XV in the Shepherd Neame Cinque 4 West Division. New players of all standards are welcome to a club that prides itself on a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

LONDON 1 SOUTH LEAGUE POSITIONS 2018/19 TO DATE

FIRST XV RECENT FIXTURES & RESULTS 2017/18

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