Mustangs V Old Dunstonians XV – 02/12/06

Kent Invicta League Fixture

Result: Won 41-0

Superb handling and close support play were the key factors in the Mustangs success this week. Playing in difficult pitch conditions, the Mustangs completely dominated this game to claim another emphatic win to keep them in the championship race.

Playing very much to type, the Mustangs scored within the first 30 seconds of the match when turn-over ball won by ever present flanker Josh Pankhurst was quickly shipped out to centre Alex Malejac, who used his balance and speed to outpace the stretched Dunstonians defence from 30m out. Full back Glen Aukett added the extra points.

To their credit Dunstonians rallied and despite a lack of any real attacking play, they defended well against a marauding pack and in particular the forceful running by flanker Nick Taylor, and No.8 Neil Smitherman, backed up by the locks Sam Johnson and Ian Lee. However, eventually the pressure proved too much and slick handling from the backs after another solid forward platform enabled winger Jon Faulkner to score in the corner. The half finished at 12-0 with the mustangs in clear ascendancy but with recognition that given the amount of possession, the score line should have been higher.

The second half began with the Mustangs looking to capitalise on their superior play and with a determination to tighten things up; they were soon rewarded with a powerful display of forward mauling to put Nick Taylor over the line. By this stage it was clear that the Dunstonialns pack was beginning to tier and soon after, the Mustangs hooker, Nick East scored from another driving maul, which was converted by Sam Mann.

From this point on it was all one way traffic and despite some success in the scrums, Dunstonians were struggling to keep up with the pace of the Mustangs attacks and the interlinking handling skills of both the forwards and the backs. A second try was scored by Jon Faulkner, who once again outstripped the defence to score in the corner after some clinical handling. Further tries were then added by centre Nick Deissner, who showed a good change of pace and angle to knife through a beleaguered Dunstonian defence and a well deserved try by lock Ian Lee, who sprinted in unopposed under the posts from 20m out. The added conversion by Sam Mann took the score beyond 40 points and although Dunstonians put in a spirited last 10 minutes, the resolute Mustangs defence negated any real attacking options and the game ended with the Mustangs as worthy winners.

The choice of ‘Man of the Match’ is particularly difficult this week with so many significant performances from both forwards and backs but by virtue of his 2 well taken tries; this week’s award goes to Jon Faulkner.

Next week the Mustangs are away to Sevenoaks in a re-arranged Invicta League match, kick off 2.15 pm.

Maidstone Scorers:

Tries:  Malejac (1) Faulkner (2), Taylor (1), East (1), Deissner (1), Lee (1)
Conversions: Aukett (1) Mann (2)

Squad: Aukett, Leggat, (Bezuidenhout), Faulkner, Deissner, Malejac, Mann, Ferris (capt), Emery, East, Walker, Lee, Johnson, Taylor, Pankhurst, (Ridgeon) Smitherman.

Coach: Andy Golding
Manager: Laurence Waters
Sports Therapist and Physio: Wendy Edwards