Rye 0-3 Maidstone III

Maidstone came away from a difficult match at Rye with a narrow win to extend their unbeaten start to the season. As the score line showed, this was far from a classic as the dream team were frustrated by a dogged display from the home side.

Maidstone started the match with plenty off possession, but despite their efforts to run the ball from all quarters, they were lacking their usual penetration.

After just ten minutes, Maidstone were forced into a reshuffle in the back line as fly half Phil Davis was forced off with a twisted knee. Dom Baxter – who himself was carrying a leg injury - moved to ten with Jez Major slotting into the centre.

Despite the set back, Maidstone were looking the more dangerous team but Rye were defending stoutly and the dream team rarely broke into the opposition 22.

After having the best of the opening half hour, Maidstone then found themselves trapped in their own territory in the run up to half time. Some good offloads by the home side’s backs created an overlap and it was only a good covering tackle that felled Rye’s right winger in the Maidstone 22. Despite regaining possession, Maidstone struggled to get out of their own half, opting to run several penalties rather than kicking to touch.

When half time came it was clear that a rethink was in order and, with the wind now at their backs, Maidstone began the second half determined to play the remainder of the match in Rye territory. Just a few minutes into the half, the visitors came within a few yards of scoring when right wing Stu bates was tackled on the five-metre line following good hands by the backs.

Maidstone then had the home side pinned in their own territory for ten minutes but were unable to make the breakthrough as several driving mauls came down short of the line and Rye continued to make their tackles.

With just fifteen minutes to go, the decisive moment of the game arrived. Rye were penalised for killing the ball on their ten metre line and, with the penalty more or less in front of the posts, Laing opted to go for the points. Full back Gus Parker struck the ball sweetly to give Maidstone the lead.

With defeat now staring them in the face, the home side stepped up there efforts, forcing Maidstone back into their own half. However, the dream team’s line was never threatened and Maidstone held on for another hard fought win.

Laing (Capt), Murphy, Thurgood (Hollister 40), Challis, Maddaford, Francis, Williams, Massey, Tugwell, Davis (Major 10), Baxter, Dyke, Bates, Fairbanks, Parker