Pre Season training for the senior club will start on Tuesday 19th June at the club and take place every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter at 7:30pm.  All senior players are welcome to attend.

Commencing at 7:30pm on Thurday 31st May there will be Touch Rugby, the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Additionally, from Saturday 9th June Shaun Neaves will be running the traditional 'Fat Boys' training sessions will take place and run throughout the summer each Saturday at c2:00pm on the training pitch.  The good news is that you don't have to be fat to take part!!!

"Why am I always the bridesmaid: never the blushing bride ??? "  (but at least we showed up !!) 

Having contested 4 of the last 5 Evergreen Cup Finals - and now lost all of them, Maidstone's Evergreen squad must wonder what they have to do to win this competition, which is hotly contested by 32 clubs across 3 counties and South London. 

This year's final was no exception, as we lost to serial cup-winners Sutton & Epsom Dodos for a 3rd time, although disappointingly it was a game that was there for the taking had the team been able to muster the kind of intensity and commitment that they showed in either the semi-final vs Blackheath or the 2nd round vs Old Colfeians.

An early break-out from receipt of the kick-off through forwards and backs showed that Maidstone meant business, only to see their assault turned over and a try conceded at the other end, courtsesy of S&Es speedy winger, which went unconverted.

Two immediate converted tries in response from Maidstone,  suggested that despite the early set-back, this was quite a winnable game,a lthough there were some early signs that the Maidstone scrum was not going to have an easy afternoon and also that promising field positions could easily be lost through not releasing on the floor or similar transgressions.

The half finished having seen 2 more  converted tries to Sutton and Epsom with only a penalty in response from Maidstone, leaving the half-time scores quite finely poised at 19-17 to S&E and everything to play for.

Disappointingly, it was S&E that came out of the traps with more gusto in the 2nd half and secured the next score, although a try from Paul Massey kept Maidstone in contention for a period. However, as the half progressed, S&E secured another try until a final scoreline of 35-22 showed that Maidstone were well beaten.

It was a shame to lose another final but no disgrace to lose to a good side and, bearing in mind that we were only there at all because Blackheath had been unable to find enough players to contest the final, the important thing was that we turned up and gave it a go.  Better luck next year perhaps.?

The plate final was contested between Sidcup and Warlingham, with Sidcup the victors.

For the past few seasons we have invited supporters to sponsor 1st XV shirts and the match ball. This can be done by individuals, couples, friends or businesses. Your name doesn't actually appear on the shirt but you are listed as the sponsor of that particular shirt number on the team selection page of the match day programme for the duration of the season. Additionally, your name is listed on the poster display of shirt sponsors in the clubhouse. There are 18 1st XV match and shirts available for the 2012/13 season, but don’t delay as some have already been taken. (only No's 4, 9,13, 14, 17 &18 remaining)

In the case of match ball sponsorship, your name appears in the match day programme for the fixture of your choice and also on the match ball sponsors ‘display in the clubhouse. For Home league fixtures, there are 11 opportunities available plus any home fixtures in the Kent Cup and RFU Knockout competitions. (All league fixtures less Folkestone & T Wells remaining)

If you or your company may be interested in taking one or more of these opportunities then please contact Bob Hayton in the first instance.

Head Coach Andy Foley's preparations for next season are already underway and the first date for the senior squad diaries should be for the initial preseason workout away at London 1(N) club Rochford Hundred RFC on Saturday 18th august.  Rochford finished the 2011-12 season in lower mid-table in their division so will be a good gauge of where we are in preparation for next season's league and cup campaigns.

Planning is currently underway for a Maidsone XV v The 'President's XV' match on Saturday 25th August followed by a final preseason outing befiore the league campaign starts.

Only the respective RFU Knockout competitions to cover this week with a big day for Yorkshire potentially on the cards, as they had a representative club in all of the three finals.

RFU Junior Vase.   In what was a tight contest with neither side crossing the whitewash for a try, a crucial penalty 10 minutes from the end that could have tied the scores hit the upright; leaving London based Harrow just short and narrowly missing out on the National Junior Vase.

RFU Senior Vase:  In a high scoring match, victory went to the side that had overcome Maidstone in the semis; Wells started liker a train and had notched up a 23 point lead in the first quarter.  Yorkhire’s Wath on Dearne finally got on the scoreboard in the second half, but another Wells try steadied the ship and despite two further tries for Wath, the result was never really in doubt as the Somerset side ran out 31-22 winners to take the trophy.

RFU Intermediate Cup:  London 2 side East Grinstead came back from 11 points down to win the Intermediate Cup.  Ilkley built their lead in the first quarter but two tries for the G-Force before the interval put their noses in front.  Ilkley regained the lead early in the second half when G-Force had their hooker yellow carded, but two further tries for the Sussex outfit put the result out of the Yorkshire side’s reach as Grinstead took the trophy 34-18.

Finally, as this is the last AtG of the season, at the start of the season the author probably rather rashly made some predictions, so now to look back and see just how far off the mark he was.

Nat 3(SE): Prediction = Prom – Dorking, PO -TJ or Ampthill      Actual = Prom - Canterbury, PO – TJ

Ldn 1(S): Prediction = Prom –Sidcup, PO – Chichester or Beckenham      Actual = Prom – Guersey, PO – Elthamians*

Ldn 2(SE):  Prediction = Prom – E Grinstead, PO – Aylesford or Lewe     Actual = Prom – E Grinstead, PO – Charlton Pk

Ldn 3(SE): Prediction = Prom – Maidstone and Medway     Actual = Crowborough and Medway

Kent 1: Prediction = Prom – Sittingbourne, PO – Anchorians     Actual = Prom – Anchorians, PO – Vigo*

Kent 2: Prediction = Prom Southwark Lancers and Kings Coll     Actual = Kings Coll and Southwark Lancers

*Denotes won promotion playoff

Never mind importing foreign coaches to the England setup, perhaps the RFU should look a bit closer to home, as proud club Vice President Jack McFarland can probably tell them; and he has good reason.  Jack’s son John who after a number of years coaching the Super XV Blue Bulls has been appointed as the Defence Coach for Heyneke Meyer’s coaching team with the Springboks.  Also appointed to the Springbok coaching team is Ricardo Loubsher who visited Maidstone Rugby three seasons ago whilst on a coaching update in the UK.

Pre Season Training for the senior club starts at 7:30pm on Tuesday 19th June at the club.  All senior players are welcome.

"Fat Boys" training starts at 2:00pm on Saturday 9th June.  You don't have to be fat to come along!!!!