Maidstone 3rd XV 56

Sevenoaks 3rd XV 15

Awesome! The first half performance must rate as one of the most complete all round games seen on this pitch. Sevenoaks could not match the sheer power and pace from the Maidstone 15. Playing with a stiff breeze at their backs, Maidstone virtually starved the opposition of ball, and when in possession, used it clinically.

An early scrimmage gave an indication of Maidstone’s intent , when they drove the Sevenoaks 8 back fifteen metres. From a scrum in the 22 a long pass put Peter Mattinson clear in the left corner for the opening score. Déjà vu for the second try, and Matty completed his hatrick by running in from the 22, beating his, by now dazzled, opposite number on the outside.

Dave Charlton got in on the act with a typical dummy, sidestep and pace through the gap to shug off a couple of half hearted tackles to plant the ball under the posts.

Then a slick handling move out to the right saw Stu Bates almost through, but a lovely pop out of the tackle to Jez Major saw him score a thoroughly deserved try.

The try of the half was a sweeping move from the restart. The ball was moved wide to the ever alert Mattinson, who fed inside where Jez Major hit the ball on the burst. He was going to be caught but passed to Dane Smith on the scissor and Big Dog went over under the posts. The ever sporting Sevenoaks captain commented ‘great try mate’ on his way to stand under the posts. A cracker!!

A penalty and a couple of conversions from Banfield and Charlton gave Maidstone a healthy half time lead and a hunger for more points.

The second half saw much of the same, with Maidstone running the ball back into the wind with regular effectiveness. Banners counter attacking was something special, with Sevenoaks would be tacklers being left in his wake, and Charlton, Major and Dane continued to mesmerise the Sevenoaks back line.

A break from their own 22 saw Big Dog race clear, draw the full back and feed a perfectly timed pass to Mattinson put the flying wing in again. He made it five with a fine solo effort, out pacing the defence to score, following a rampaging run by hooker Mike Hill.

A clean break by Tuggy into the Sevenoaks 22 created a second try for Dave Charlton, who had Matt Ploughman on his shoulder if needed.

Sevenoaks were gritty to the end and at no point did they roll over. A rare attack saw them sneak a deserved try, and Maidstone lost their discipline 10 minutes from time, having 2 players sin binned for persistent infringements. Sevenoaks then added a second from a close range penalty.

A superb team performance, with the forwards dominant in all aspects, working together and for each other, communicating and putting in the hard yards. Ross Laing had a great game in the scrum and won countless turnover balls in the mauls. Simon Wright caught an absolutely peach of a kick off, which even Ross was impressed with, and his loose play and support showed a growing confidence. Paul Glover had his usual disrupting game in the line out, regularly stealing the Sevenoaks ball, and Ploughman did his usual destroying job in the front row. Jacques was subtle as always and certainly let the Sevenoaks boys know he was around. Appreciation too to Phil Davies ( great to see him back on a rugby pitch ) and to John Whitehead for coming on as replacement and fitting in as if he had been playing in the team all season.

Man of the match has to go to Pete Mattinson for his tries and all round game, which belies his age, and would stand as a great example of wing play to any youngster. Well played Matty.