|
|
Maidstone 3rd XV 22
Medway 2nd XV 16
This was like the vets playing the colts. Maidstone's age and experience
versus the speed and enthusiasm of youth.Experience told-just-and left
Medway frustrated at losing so narrowly.
Early exchanges showed how both teams intended to play, with Maidstone
keeping the ball close to the pack and Medway trying to set their pacy
backs into space. Medway opened the scoring following a ruck infringement,
then added a second penalty for a very generous high tackle. Unperterbed,
the Maidstone forwards started to dominate. Scrum, line out, ruck, maul
all showed strength and power, putting Medway under pressure, and a
slipped pass to Dominic Baxter saw him barrel over from close range. The
conversion by Hogy put Maidstone one point ahead.
A clean blindside break put Eugene away, and his chip ahead looked to be
marked by the Medway scrum half. However he dropped the ball and the
predatory Baxter pounced to score his second and extend the advantage.
By now the forwards had the bit between their teeth and the close driving
by Matt Plowman, Mac and Jaques in particuler was creating big holes in
the Medway defence.
A catch and drive at a line out took the ball close to the line, despite
Medway trying to collapse the maul. Several pick ups by Mac saw him
stopped just short, but the Bok Bull then stepped in and drove over for
his eleventh try of the season. This gave Maidstone a comfortable half
time lead but they knew they still had plenty of work to do.
Maidstone struggled to find their rhythm after the break and Medway
frustrated and nagged at their defence. Every time Medway ran the ball
they caused panic, and it was only great defence in the backs and superb
smother tackles by Baxter, Moore, Banfield and Mattinson that kept them
out. Eventually the line was breached with the tiring Maidstone defence
unable to cover the quick paced Medway backs. The conversion was missed
but with fifteen minutes remaining Medway broke out again, and scored
through their elusive fly half. The conversion would have put them in the
lead but it was pushed wide, and Maidstone knew they needed a big last ten
minutes.
A sustained attack in the Medway 22 saw Maidstone held up over the line.
The resulting 5 metre scrum looked an inevitable push over try but was
collapsed by Medway. The referee played advantage, and Tuggy fed the
blindside winger who used his immense bulk and low centre of gravity to
surge through the defence to seal the game for Maidstone. Well done Rob
Jeffrey, the complete all round versatile rugby player. Maidstone held out
in the dying minutes to win a very hard fought game and continue their
challenge for the League title, but virtually ending Medways hopes.
However, if their team stays together they will be very hard to beat next
year.
Well played to all the team, particularly the forwards in the first half.
The influence of Matt Plowman in the loose play was immense, as was the
driving play of Mac, who is my man of the match this week.
Team Details:
|
Copyright(c) Maidstone Rugby Club |
|
|
|
|
|
