Maidstone vs Sevenoaks RFC

Away at Knole Paddock, Sevenoaks

League: London 2 South, Saturday 27 January 2007

by Trevor Langley

In a game that fluctuated wildly over the course of the 80-minutes, Maidstone proved themselves close, but worthy, winners of this local derby. Both teams occupied mid-table positions going into the match and with Maidstone comfortable winners at home in October, the incentive for Sevenoaks to seek revenge on their home turf was strong.

The Maidstone line-up had Steve Matthews on the bench having missed a number of games over the New Year period, with Bacon and Johnston forming a new second row partnership. It was clear that the pack would need to put in a big effort, as the pitch was heavy underfoot after the recent rain and snow, and eventually they rose to the occasion. But this was indeed a true team effort where pressure from all areas of the pitch was required to overcome a spirited Sevenoaks attack.

The team was admirably led by Martin Arnold, performing at his penetrative best, straightening the line on a number of occasions and keeping his game simple and effective. Interpreting the Glaswegian referee’s accent and technical readings of the law were added skills on the day.

The first twenty minutes of the game belonged entirely to Sevenoaks, being 11-0 in front after ten minutes through a try after the scrum half, Roffey, broke down the blind side on the half-way line feeding winger Shenton to score in the corner, sandwiched between two penalties. While Maidstone pulled back one score with a penalty on the quarter-hour, Sevenoaks were twice denied further tries in the next five minutes from rolling mauls, the referee deciding the ball was held up on both occasions.

These let-offs suddenly seemed to wake Maidstone from their torpor, and on 23 minutes, a long kick from the Maidstone 22 was fumbled by the Sevenoaks rearguard and Stockford fed Arnold for the skipper to gallop over half-way out. Mitchell added the points to bring the score back to 11-10, which held to half-time despite Sevenoaks being reduced to 14 when second-row Hoare was sin-binned on the half-hour.

With all to play for and with some justification for feeling they had received poor reward for their first-half efforts, Sevenoaks applied early pressure on the Maidstone line. But in their first foray into Sevenoaks territory, a kick-over by Stones aggressive scrum half, Heads, from the base of the scrum, saw Ryan bursting through on to the loose ball to put a controlled kick into the end zone and win the chase for the touch down to put Maidstone in the lead for the first time.

Ryan’s next significant impact came when he got himself yellow-carded, having been adjudged on his knees when trying to gain the ball after a tackle. Sevenoaks took full advantage, scoring after a catch and drive following a penalty and adding a further penalty to take a 21-15 lead, with 22 minutes gone.

But with Maidstone restored to full complement, they once more regained the lead through a Mitchell try under the posts after a gliding run from the 22 which split the Sevenoaks defensive line.

Even now, Sevenoaks refused to give up and back they came at the Maidstone line. After a penalty in the Stones 22, the home team scored once again after a catch and drive to the corner. With an excellent conversion, Sevenoaks found themselves 28-22 in front with ten minutes of normal time remaining.

Instead of shutting the game down, or because of the pressure exerted by the Maidstone team, Sevenoaks proceeded to make a number of costly errors in defence. This allowed Maidstone to gain good field position and from a maul after a line out, Heads collected the ball from the side of the Maidstone pack and darted over, unmolested, from just inside the 22. With Mitchell adding the points, Maidstone went back in front by a single point.

With plenty of time remaining for a further twist in the saga, Maidstone continued to apply pressure and, as Sevenoaks made more mistakes, the visitors closed out the game, 32-28, with a penalty on the stroke of full time.

Rob Jeffrey; Fin Davis; Simon Hollister: Sam Johnston; Andy Bacon: Nick Taylor (Steve Matthews 55 mins); Hugh Ridgin; Ben Court: Dave Heads; Scott Mitchell: Harry Stockford; Martin Arnold (capt); Jamie Smith; Mark Ryan: Ian Howson