Saturday October 7th 2006

London League 2 South - Maidstone 29 Tunbridge Wells 22

The first of 2 local derbies at the mote on Saturday saw Maidstone collect 2 more league points with a win over newly promoted sideTunbridge Wells.The match took a long time to get going with both teams trying to play rugby,the more they tried the more errors they  made.It was very frustrating for all to see with both sides only exchanging a penalty apiece until the first incident kick started the match in the 30th minute.

It was a sinbin visit for Wells skipper Crane for over use of the boot to start the scoring and effectively making this period so decisive in the eventual outcome of the match.Maidstone took full advantage of the reduced Wells numbers.First Home skipper Martin Arnold touched down at the posts just before half time.

Then immediately after the break young winger Harry Stockford took a well timed Arnold pass  and cut inside to shoot directly to the posts.With the visitor’s numbers back to normal they threw everything at Maidstone and were rewarded with a perfect team try with nr 8 Cockerton getting the touch down.Maidstone needed to hit back and this they did in style with a massive cross kick by Craig Whitehead to the right wing where Damian Houlihan caught a very difficult ball,adjusted his balance and ran 30 metres to the line.Wells were unfazed and scored another try to be converted by Murtagh.

Now Maidstone turned on the style and with all their backs involved with clever handling and interpassing finally gave Nr 8 Alex Smith who was on hand to score at the posts.Tunbridge Wells got another try though Fly half Harding just before the final whistle,but it was too late to narrow the gap.

The many spectators left generally satisfied having watched some fine exciting rugby even though  it had been so error strewn for so long.   

Next  Saturday October 14th Maidstone play Sevenoaks at the Mote KO 3pm

Scorers Tries Houlihan,Stockford,Arnold,Smith
Penalty Whitehead  3 Conversations Whitehead

Team:Nick Deissner(Tim Porter),Damien Houlihan,Jamie Smith,Martin Arnold (Capt),Harry Stockford, Craig Whitehead,Dave Heads,Scott Mcilroy, Fin Davis,Rob Jeffrey(Simon Hollister)Steve Matthews   Sam Johnston,John O’Brien,Nick Sargent,Nick Taylor,Alex Smith