Maidstone 3rd XV 38 Gillingham 2nd XV 12
Maidstone went into the game looking for their fourth successive league
win, knowing that Anchorians are always tough opponents. Early exchanges
were fairly even, but an electric piece of wing play by Pete Mattinson,
taking his man on the outside, handing off and putting centre Jez Major in
under the posts, gave Maidstone the lead. Dave Charlton adding the extras
Gillingham then had a period of sustained pressure and possession, and
eventually scored from a scrum close to the line. A mistake under a high
ball saw it bounce straight to a Gillingham player and they scored again
to lead 12-7 at the break, with Maidstone looked very ragged and ill
disciplined.
The break gave Maidstone chance to regroup and re focus, and they came out
strongly, with Mike Hill finding his jumpers and the forwards showing a
more aggressive attitude at the breakdown. A back peel and quick ruck ball
led to a fine scissor movement and the ever alert Mattison cut through
under the posts to score a seven pointer, giving Maidstone some early
confidence and the lead.
The game deteriorated rapidly after this, and it was Gillingham who lost
their discipline, having a man sent off for illegal use of the boot. A try
by Eugene Moore and a penalty in front of the posts did nothing to raise
Gillingham’s hopes and they lost a second man to the sin bin. Maidstone
were now finding gaps at will and close support play among the forwards
saw Chris Francis go over for a try, with Gillingham in total disarray. In
fact they had a third man dismissed to the bin for stamping.
A fine move started by Mattinson, linking with Major, Moore and finally
Shaun Charlton touched down to seal the win, with brother Dave slotting
the conversion to maintain his 100% kicking record.
The Gillingham skipper apologised at the end for the conduct of his
players, and it was credit to Maidstone that they maintained their
discipline in the face of such provocation.
MOM Peter Mattinson-he has lost a little pace but knows how to beat a man
with guile.
