Saturday October 14th 2006

London League 2 South

Maidstone 35  Sevenoaks 27

Double Header!!

They say 2 heads are better than one! Namely Maidstone’s fly half Craig Whitehead who on Saturday kicked no less than 5 penalties and one conversation,whilst his  half back partner Dave Heads scored 2 typical scrum half tries.This effectively put paid to neighbours Sevenoaks in a pulsating league match at the mote on Saturday.
It was Full back John Wilford who got the first score with a drop goal.Then Within minutes after a scrum pick up by Alex Smith who thyen was able to feed Tim Porter who made the decisive break to give Damian Houlihan the scoring pass.This then jump started the visitors who passed the ball at will between their very quick backs to put nr 8 Temple in for the try,Barber added the points.Then for the 3rd week in a row when the team with fewer men were punished this after Maidstone’s Nick Sergeant had been yellow carded,This allowed the opposition to capitalise.Oaks scored 10 points in the ‘bin’period,a Barber penalty plus a Garcia try.

With the league this season being so close, keeping a full compliment on the field is imperative. Now with advantage being played Porter’s dive over the line was disallowed after a forward pass.Whitehead got some reward from the ensuing penalty though. Sevenoaks extended their lead going into half time with catch and drive try by Tinker.

HT Maidstone 14 Sevenoaks 22

2 more Whitehead penalties punished the visitor’s continual transgressions bringing the scores ever closer.Then came the first of young scrum half Dave Heads tries.He stole the ball from his opposite number raced up the touch line and following his own kick ahead had the pace to collect and score in the corner.Whitehead extended the lead shortly after with yet another penalty.Sevenoaks now were frantic to get another score and it duly came with one more try scored by replacement Tim Gold,which will have particularly pleased his grandfather used to play for the club. Now Dave Heads broke clear on the left wing this time to get his second try.Whitehead completed the afternoon with a very well taken conversion from the touch line to secure a win that will take Maidstone further up the table.

This win, in spite of further injuries, not least to influencial skipper Arnold before the match showed that Maidstone have some fine replacements when taking their opportunities in the first team.

Next  Saturday October 21st Maidstone are away to London Irish Amateur at Sunbury KO 3pm

Scorers Tries Houlihan,Heads (2) Drop Goal Wilford
Penalties Whitehead  5 Conversation Whitehead

Team:Wilford, Houlihan, Jamie Smith,Porter,Diessner,  Whitehead, Heads, Mcilroy,  Davis, Hollister  Matthews(Capt)   Johnston, O’Brien, Sargent,Nick Sargent,Alex Smith