Tunbridge Wells II’s vs Mustangs – 10th November 2007

The Mustangs went to Tunbridge Wells looking for an improved performance on the previous week against Sidcup.

Maidstone began the game playing up the slope, but were soon looking like the strongest side. The T Wells pack were a big unit, and worked well in the scrum. However it was Maidstone who were the first to put pressure on the opposition line and after a penalty was conceded on the 22, Laurenson stepped up to kick a goal and opening the scoring. Maidstone were dubiously denied two “tries” as the forwards rumbled over the line – however on each occasion the referee was unable to see if the ball had been grounded.

Maidstone did manage to score 2 tries in the first half, from similar moves. Tommy King was the first to touch down having been given the ball at the back of a maul and Nick East did likewise from a similar position. Try scoring on this occasion was not the highlight of the half. Having been penalised for a “truck and trailer” infringement, Maidstone retreated 10 metres, watched the big number 8 take a quick tap and was welcomed with a John O’Brien body slam. Half time arrived soon after, Maidstone leading 13 – 0.

5 minutes after the restart and Maidstone added to their try count. A Maidstone scrum just outside the T Wells 22 saw James Ferris make a run from the base of the scrum, draw the defence and pass back inside to winger Chris Leggat, who took the ball at full pace and run past what was left of the defence to score under the posts. Laurenson converted.

The second highlight of the day once again involved John O’Brien. A clearance kick just into Maidstone’s half landed in the hands of O’Brien, who looked up and saw just a 10 stone winger in his way. John proceeded to steamroller over not just one, but 2 would be tacklers before off loading to his support inside, the ball went through numerous pairs of hands before finally arriving to Gavin Dyke on the opposite side of the field and Gav sped over to score his first try of the year.

Maidstone’s next try began in their own half, as once again James Ferris made a break, beat a few tacklers and passed to Tommy King, who ran in from 30 metres to score his 2nd try of the day.

The final score of the afternoon once again went to Maidstone. The ball was spread from once side of the field to the other before arriving to Kiwi Mike Catherwood, who was invited by the defence to cut back inside. Mike obliged and had a straight run to the line to score his debut Maidstone try. The conversion went wide and the ref blew the final whistle. The final score was 37-0 to the Mustangs.

Despite the frustration at the stop/start nature of the game, this was an improved performance from the Mustangs, and they started to play some of the free flowing rugby that they know they are capable of. There were some very good passages of play put together and on another day, a lot more points could have been scored. Obviously there were some good contributions from individuals this week. In the backs, James Ferris and Phil Catt got the back line moving far better than in previous weeks and this ultimately paid dividends. Mike Catherwood was excellent with his touch kicking and again ran and tackled hard and was rewarded with a try. Gavin Dyke had his best game of the season, making a lot of territory when he had the ball in hand.

Up front, the two stand out performances came from the back row. John O’Brien was excellent at carrying the ball forward and made many big hits during the afternoon. However Tommy King had an awesome game, scoring 2 tries and making many a rampaging run up the middle of the field. However it is not just his attack which stood out – defensively he was very solid and was responsible for many a turnover. Tommy King is therefore this weeks Man of the Match.

Moving on to more important matters and Div of the Day – for those of you that saw him, there is only really one contender – the man who turned up sporting a Village People moustache.

Team:-

Bailey, East (capt), Thurgood, Wright, Lee, King, Pankhurst, O’Brien, Ferris, Catt, Leggat, Catherwood, Ash, Dyke, Laurenson, Maddaford, Hughes, McKellar

Coach – Shaun Neaves

Physio – Catherine Grundy

Manager – Laurence Waters

Scorers:-

Tries -  King x 2, East, Leggat, Dyke, Catherwood

Conversions – Laurenson x 2

Penalties - Laurenson