Saturday    September 30th   2006

London League 2 South

Andover 16 Maidstone 13

Maidstone’s match on Saturday with Andover had everything,apart from  the win.The game kicked off almost one hour late due to the late arrival of the referee,Maidstone played  part of the match with 13 men against a considerably larger side,but best of all having taken the lead in the 7th minute and it wasn’t until the final kick of the match in the 9th minute of injury time that it was surrendered!! 

When play finally got under way Maidstone conceded a penalty early on but struck back shortly afterwards with the young backs showing the speed and flat footing their Andover counterparts.Damien Houlihan totally outpaced his wing to score the try of the match.Craig Whitehead added the points.Maidstone continued to play the game at pace forcing many errors by Andover. Whitehead extended the lead further with a penalty after catcher Alex Smith was dangerously pulled down at the lineout.This stunned the large vociferous home crowd.With Maidstone continuing to apply pressure to the hosts it was not long before Whitehead got another penalty just before half time.The perfect score before the break!But Then came the crucial period of the match,with Andover finally winning more ball they continued to attack the visitor’s line and it was flanker Alex Smith who was yellow carded for bringing the scrum down.Andover scored against the weakened pack.

To make matters worse at the start of the second half other flanker Nick Taylor was red carded for an alleged dangerous tackle.A very harsh decision,especially as the victim was on his feet very shortly afterwards!!This meant Maidstone had to play with only 13 men for the next 8 minutes.They were heroic to a man in keeping out the opposition,who must have felt they would ‘walk the match now.Second row Sam Johnson in particular was immense in the line out catching everything thrown at him.They continued the play at their pace and a drop goal attempt from Craig Whitehead which hit the upright would have extended the lead even further.There were even more scoring chances but were unable to cross the line.It was not until the 39th minute of the match that Andover kicked a penalty for offside to bring the scores level.Maidstone we now themselves under pressure,compounded with missed touch kicks which allowed the hosts to counter attack.

With seemingly endless injury time Andover attempted to get the lead but missed the penalty kick.Finally they succeeded with the last play of the match to sink the hearts of this Maidstone team that NEVER gave up.

Maidstone will take plenty of satisfaction from this display and will hold their heads up going into the next league matches.

Next Saturday October 7th Maidstone play Tunbridge Wells  the Mote KO 3pm

Scorers Try Houlihan  Penalties Whitehead  2 Conversation Whitehead

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