Mustangs V Sidcup 2nd XV – 28/10/06

Kent Invicta League Fixture

Result: Won 44 -5

Such is the strength in depth and degree of talent at the Club that despite 22 players on 1ST XV cup duty, the Mustangs fielded a formidable side which combined youth and experience and who arguably produced their best game in recent times. Playing a Sidcup side who were full of confidence having despatched Tonbridge Wells last week, our performance was nothing short of awesome. Such was the dominance and level of our play in all facets of the game that with 17 points up after the first 20 minutes, it was game over for Sidcup and from then on they were playing ‘catch up’!

The forwards were in total ascendancy in the tight and their better technical skills enabled them to steal ball in the line out and drive the larger Sidcup forwards repeatedly off the ball in the scrum. Our superior mauling was also put to good effect from the line out (producing 3 tries in the game) and at one point late in the second half, Nick East and prop Matt Plowman orchestrated a driving maul which took the ball 30 meters down the left hand touch line, much to the delight of the home crowd. In the loose we were first to the break down and good ‘clearing out’ allowed for quick ball to our attacking runners and pacey back line. If this wasn’t enough for a demoralised Sidcup to contend with, strong aggressive running by flanker Garret Hines and No 8 Neil Smitherman off phase ball and close support play from both forwards and backs repeatedly ripped huge holes in the Sidcup defence.

Focussed and switched on from the first whistle, a catch and drive from the lineout gave us our first score inside 2 minutes by hooker Nick East. Within 5 minutes sustained forward pressure led to the ball being shipped out to ‘try a game’ winger Chris Leggat, who showed blistering speed to beat his opposite number on the outside. Further tries by the impressive open side flanker, Josh Pankhurst, who cleverly intercepted a Sidcup ball on their won 22 (converted by full back Mike Laurenson) and a well taken try from scrum half and Captain James Ferris gave the Mustangs a 22 point lead at half time and left a ‘shell shocked’ and frustrated Sidcup side wondering where it had all gone wrong and complaining that we must have fielded our 1st team pack!

The second half was much the same in terms of possession and territorial gain which led to another try a piece for Nick East from another ‘catch and drive’, a solo effort from Josh Pankhurst from the 22 metre line and a well supported try for James Ferris after a telling break by replacement centre Dane Smith. However, it was the try by prop Matt Plowman that the game may well be best remembered for (certainly by him); given that this was his first try ever in 15 years of rugby. Matt’s crowning moment came when he found himself in possession of the ball (apparently sympathetically given to him by his front row buddy Nick East) after yet another ‘catch and drive’. Congratulations to Matt, whose fall across the line has already been expounded into a 60m sprint, which included a number of side steps, body swerves and mesmeric lines of running. Matt, we salute you! For his eagerly awaited fan club, Matt will be available to sign autographs in the foyer following Thursday night’s training and rumour has it that he may well be appearing on Parkinson next week!

The game will also marked by the departure of Kiwi flanker, Garrett Hines, who goes back to home shores proud in the knowledge that this was probably his best game for the Mustangs and that his contribution on the day did much to produce this emphatic win. Good luck to you Garrett, we wish you well with all that you do in the future and in particular your forth coming enrolment on ‘English as a Foreign Language’ degree course back at University!

Everyone without exception can take credit for the victory and it is difficult to single out any individual in this team performance but this weeks ‘Man of the Match’ goes to Josh Pankhurst for his support play, individual skills and exceptional lines of running!

On a final note, thank you to all those spectators who were fortunate to have watched this game. We appreciate your support and hope to see you again at our next home fixture. Next week, the Mustangs are involved in the local derby away to Aylesford in the league, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Maidstone Scorers:

Tries: East (2), Ferris (2) Leggat (1), Pankhurst (2), Plowman (1)
Conversions: Laurenson (2)

Squad: Laurenson, Leggat, Catt, P, Dyke, (Smith), Faulkner, (McKellar)  Mann, Ferris (capt), Farbrace, East, Plowman, Lee, (Nash), Cummins, Hines, Pankhurst, Smitherman,

Andy Golding
Mustangs Coach