Maidstone 3rd XV 29
Bromley 2nd XV 17
After taking a battering up front last week the Maidstone pack was buoyed by the return of heavy weights Mayhem, Thurgood, Fish, Vrey and Challis, who immediately made an impact in the tight, and shunted Bromley from the first scrum. Unfortunately, Mac suffered a calf injury bending down to pick up a penny coin ( Scottish habits die hard ) and had to leave the field after 5 mins limping in agony but with a smile on his face due to his financial good fortune! Sean Charlton came on at flank for his first run out of the year and showed that he has lost none of his enthusiasm for the game by making telling tackles and securing good ball at the breakdown.
Eugene opened the scoring with a strong run from just outside the 22, handing off and racing through to touch down and give Maidstone a crucial score against a very strong wind. He popped up again shortly after, picking up a loose ball in his own half and showing a clean pair of heels to the opposition. Ewan Caborn added a penalty in off the post to make it 13 nil and Maidstone looking strong. However, Bromley were still competitive and hit back just before half time with a try out wide. 13-7 at half time.
With the wind at their backs Maidstone anticipated a comfortable half, and so it looked when Caborn kicked 3 penalties to extend the lead. The youngster was growing in confidence with the boot, so much so that he opted for a kick at goal from outside the 10m line. He then decided to take a quick tap while the opposition were walking back, but the referee actually knew this law and called a scrum because he had not made a proper attempt at the kick. A school boy error but one that he is unlikely to make again. Fishy was on his shoulder at the time so that may have swayed him to go for it.
With twenty minutes to go Bromley lost a prop and the scrums went uncontested which played into Bromleys hand, who pressed in Maidstone’s 22 and looked dangerous when running the ball. Maidstone lost their concentration and allowed Bromley 2 fairly soft tries to get within 5 points. Reverting to type the Maidstone pack took control of the ball and sealed the game with a driving maul from the Bromley 22 – Mayhem seemed to be at the bottom of the pile and deserved the score to cap an excellent performance.
A good win in the end against a spirited Bromley, who finished the game with their no 7 flattening the Bull with a text book front on tackle, knocking him back 5 metres and leaving him dazed and flat on his back. I am sure we have not heard the end of that tussle and Jacques will be back with nostrils flaring next week.
Man of match – Eugene. 2 good tries many good runs and some great hits. Enjoy the golf next week.
