Maidstone II’s 24 vs Gravesend II’s 6

21st October 2006

With it being the first home game of the season and following last weeks disappointing postponement against Sevenoaks the Mustangs were eager to win this weekend.  A familiar side was fielded including Ben Court at number eight with Phil Nash and veteran Jim Walker on the bench. 

Maidstone received the kick off and immediately began defending against persistent attack by Gravesend who managed to retain possession well.  This was helped by silly mistakes from the home side working in Gravesend's favour though strong defending by the Mustangs prevented them from crossing the line.  After prolonged attack the visitors were only able to come away with three points from a penalty in front of the posts.  A number of quick breaks by Maidstone forced Gravesend back into their own half.  The game continued to swing both ways though up front Maidstone's pack were beginning to dominate forcing the opposition scum backwards on a number of occasions.

With the Gravesend winning 3-0 Maidstone started the second half with conviction and scored early through strong runs from the back row and a bit of je ne sais quoi from French fly half Alex Malejac.  An ambitious reverse pass between the legs landed in the hands of prolific winger Chris Leggat, who beat his opposite man for pace on the outside and touched down in the right hand corner for try number one. 

The next twenty minutes saw Maidstone play great rugby and effectively seal the win for the home side.  A second score came from flanker Josh Pankhurst who chose a good line of run to beat the defense and score to the right of the posts.  Maidstone were now in full flow and the backline soon took up attack from their ten metre line.  A good run from winger Jon Faulkner took play into Gravesend's twenty two and a well timed pass allowed skipper James Ferris to touch down for try number three.  Maidstone continued to apply pressure, using the pack to work the fringes and punch holes in the Gravesend defence resulting in a powerful run from flanker Garett Hines for the final score. 

Maidstone went down to fourteen men following a Neil Smitherman sin bin and in response Gravesend took up the attack.  Unwavering defence by Maidstone prevented them crossing the line and Smitherman was able to reenter the fray with no effect to the score sheet.  With seconds left on the clock Gravesend continued to attack Maidstone's try line however the defence remained uncompromising and the referee finished the game 24-6 to the Mustangs.

Discipline early on cost Maidstone valuable possession though the team showed spirit in the second half with good performances in both attack and defence. Special mention goes to pack leader Andy Bacon, Alex Malejac, Josh Pankhurst and Chris Leggatt.  Man of the Match this week goes to Garett Hines for yet another tenacious display throughout the entire 80 minutes.

The highlight of the game, even superseding the Frenchman's Cirque de Soleil ball tricks, came from the Mustangs other circus clown, Nick East. Having been advised that a Gravesend penalty would be the last play of the game, the ball spilled out to the robust hooker, who instead of kicking or even the walking the ball the two feet required to find the touchline, decided to hurl the ball into touch - penalty to Gravesend. Don't worry Nick, "A Basic Guide to the Laws of Rugby" is part of next weeks warm up

Scorers: Leggatt, Hines, Pankhurst, Ferris
Conversion: Laurenson x 2

Squad: Farbrace, East, Plowman (Walker), Bacon, Lee (Smitherman), Hines, Pankhurst (Nash), Court, Ferris (Capt), Malejac, Leggatt, Laurenson, Dyke, Faulkner, Howson

Laurence Waters (Manager), Wendy Edwards (Physio)