Mustangs V Aylesford 2nd XV – 06/11/06

Kent Invicta League Fixture

Result: Won 22 -0

This was certainly not the emphatic victory that was expected having played so well the previous week but in the end the Mustangs finished up comfortable winners. In a below par performance this was not a local derby that will be best remembered for its champagne rugby. With 1 or 2 enforced changes, it took the Mustangs a long time to settle and for two thirds of the match they lacked any real unity. Flattered by a committed but weaker Aylesford side, it was only in the last 20 minutes that the Mustangs started to really put their mark on the game and start to play the type of rugby that they are clearly capable of.

In an error strewn first half and with the lion’s share of possession, the Mustangs failed to punish a tenacious Ayelsford side.  Running away from support and going to ground to readily in contact allowed a foraging Aylesford to repeatedly turn over ball and halt most of the Mustang advances. Coupled with some unnecessary penalties from school boy mistakes meant that some of the hard yards that were gained ended up being nullified. The Mustangs cause was also not helped by the yellow carding of flanker John O’Brien for apparent repeated off-side offences. Luckily for the Mustangs, however, even with 14 players and a Mustangs side clearly playing well below their potential, Aylesford were unable to push home any advantage and a dower first half ended with no points for either side.

In the second half, a change of tactics in terms of players staying on their feet in contact, a higher degree of team cohesion and close support play allowed the Mustangs to settle into a rhythm and they began to play with more control and purpose. A Mike Laurenson penalty in front of the posts ended the dead-lock early on in the half but it was not until the last quarter that the first try of the match was scored by No 8 Neil Smitherman from a scrum pick up and drive (converted by Laurenson). The try seemed to galvanise the Mustangs and with the addition of replacements Phil Nash to the second row, John Faulkner to wing and the switching of winger Nick Deissner to centre, the Mustangs began to up the ante. With increased dominance in all facets of play, a strong break by John O’Brien provided the space to off-load to centre Alex Malejac, who still with work to do, deftly grubber kicked around the covering defence to collect and score in the corner. The Mustangs last and arguably best try came from an incisive break by Nick Deissner on the Aylesford 22 , who coming from deep, chose a good angle and knifed through the Aylesford defence to score under the posts (converted by Laurenson).

It is extremely hard to single out any 1 player for this game but in terms of his attacking running, his adjustment to stay on his feet and his general presence around the park, this week’s man of the match goes to Neil Smitherman.

Next week the Mustangs are at home in the Invicta League to Thanet 2nd XV, kick off 2.30 pm.

Maidstone Scorers:

Tries: Smitherman (1), Malejac (1) Deissner (1),
Conversions: Laurenson (2)
Penalties: Laurenson (1)

Squad: Laurenson, Leggat, Deissner, Malejac, Dyke, (Faulkner), Mann, Ferris (capt), Farbrace, East, Walker, Lee, (Nash), Johnson, O’Brien, Pankhurst, Smitherman.

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