Mustangs V Tunbridge Wells 2nd XV – 16/12/06

Friendly – non-league

Result: Won 35-12

Changes in key positions, a change of opposition late in the week and a friendly rather than a league encounter may all be considered contributing factors to a Mustangs side who lacked their normal focus and cohesiveness.

However, excuses aside, it was a game strewn with errors and indecision and despite some glimpses of the true class that this side has the Mustang’s struggled to find any real pattern to their play until late in the second half. In all, irrespective of the score line, this was a below par performance for a side that has being playing so well in recent weeks and against a team who played much of the game with 14 men (as a result of an early injury).

Tunbridge Wells offered little to really trouble the Mustangs early on but fragmented play and a lack of composure meant that even with the lion’s share of possession the Mustangs failed to score. In fact, against the run of play, it was a fast break and some poor defending on the left hand flank that allowed the Tunbridge Wells winger to make the first score after 20 minutes.

This seemed to have the desired effect and the Mustangs responded 10 minutes later when flanker Pankhurst entered the line on the opposition 22 and sliced through the defence to score. Full back, Aukett added the extra points and the half finished with at 7-5 in the mustangs favour.

A call for greater commitment and a ‘back to basics’ policy saw the Mustangs up the ante and 5 minutes into the second half, replacement winger Leggat showed his pace to run in a well taken try as the ball was shipped across the backs from a solid catch and drive at the lineout. Full back Aukett successfully converted from wide on the left hand touch line.

By this time, Tunbridge Wells were beginning to tire and a telling break by replacement hooker Justin Murphy and good follow-up work by the forwards allowed quick ball to be passed out to centre Deissnner who outpaced the stretched defence to score. Once gain Aukett kicked the 2 extra points from out wide.  However, this improved performance was then marred 5 minutes later on when the decision to parry the ball under their own posts instead of kicking allowed Tunbridge Wells in with a soft score which they then converted.

However, the Mustangs then entered their best phase of the game as the passing and decision-making became more incisive, as ‘slick’ hands put centre Malejac in under the posts. Not wishing to be out done, fly half, Mann added the conversion. The last score came from a good pick up at the base of the scrum and precise handling enabled Deissner to run in for his second try, which was again converted by Mann.

The Mustangs are due to play Tunbridge Wells in the league in early February and despite the Mustangs not playing as well as they are clearly able, psychologically this has served its purpose given that they still ended up comprehensive winners.

For his consistency of performance, the ‘Man of the Match’ award this week goes to Hugh Ridgeon who made some good individual breaks and who scrapped hard all afternoon.

Next week the Mustangs are at home in a friendly to Gillingham Anchorians 1st XV, kick off 2.15 pm.

Maidstone Scorers:

Tries:  Pankhurst (1) Leggat (1), Deissner (2), Malejac (1)
Conversions: Aukett (3), Mann (2)

Squad: Aukett, Dyke, Faulkner, (Legatt) Deissner, Malejac, Mann, Jones, Thurgood, East, (Murphy), Walker, Lee, Cummins Ridgeon, Pankhurst, (Turnhill), Johnson (capt)

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