|
|
The game was great to play and the score does not reflect the level of
dominance Maidstone exhibited. For the majority of the game Maidstone
were very strong with only 14 men, which resulted in TWells resorting to
foul play, punches were thrown aplenty as Mark will testify having been
hit squarely 3 times in face during the match. There were also high
level tackles all round, with particularly gruesome examples on Gary and
Ian as well as a well timed clothesline to Gillies in the second half,
it showed that TWells were struggling and their frustration was
beginning to better them.
Thankfully Maidstone were the more respectable side and although TWells
got off to an early start that left Maidstone trailing 5 points, we
soldiered on. However, disaster struck shortly into the first half with
Hodges pulling his hamstring after sidestepping the TWells back line.
Hodges regrettably limped from the field and Maidstone who arrived with
no subs, were reduced to 14 players.
With thanks to a hungover Tom Warren, Steve Pooley and Paul Kelly who
provided a solid front row with Hunter and Ben Foskett at 2nd row,
Maidstone showed strength, not needing to resort to uncontested scrums
as first thought and proceeded to secure ball on most of TWells put ins.
This is quite some feat as with Gary on the wing, Maidstone were reduced
to 7men for most of the scrummaging.
With TWells wanting to change the pace to exploit the overlap, they
opted for a number 8 pickup, utilising their largest man on the pitch in
an attempt to crash through our lines. He wasn't going to risk going
through the lumbering giant Mark Wilding on the Blind side, instead he
charged open, underestimating Little Quinn who planted his head into the
ground with a well timed tackle, this took him out of the game for a
brief spell and suffice to say, this tactic was not used again by them
in a hurry.
At half time the game was anyones with Maidstone trailing by only 5
points.
Back on at half time and Maidstone were now playing uphill into the
wind. TWells came back strong, scoring very early and again shortly
after with a superb set piece triple dummy from a penalty which lead to
their first converted try.
Hodges decided the action was too much to miss out on and was welcomed
back to make up the numbers on the flank, it was commented by all after
the game that Hodges "cheats well enough" to have played on the flank
all his playing career.
After the initial slow start to the second half, Maidstone held out and
although some would say too little too late, Maidstone definitely saved
the best till last. After some good runs, a forward pass in the open by
Little Quinn to Mark left some wondering what could have been. However,
what followed after the scrum was nothing short of superb, in one of the
final plays of the game, was a powerful maul by Maidstone and whilst
still in broken play Andy, Eddie and Teflon were chasing down the pitch
punching holes through the TWells defence and taking advantage of an
overlap. TWells were left spectating as Eddie ran over the line in far
left corner, only to cheekily run back across the pitch and place the
ball under the posts for an easy conversion by Ian.
Final score: Tunbridge Wells 24 - Maidstone 7.
The team who played:
1) Steve Pooley
2) Tom Warren
3) Paul Kelly
4) Steve Hunter
5) Ben Fosket
6) Gary/Mark Wilding/ Hodges
7) Little Quinn
8) Mark Wilding
9) Mike Gillies
10) Andy Bell
11) Richard Hadfield
12) Ian Davis
13) Eddie
14) Steve Jones/Gary
15) Paul Hodges/Steve Jones
Team Details:
|
Copyright(c) Maidstone Rugby Club |
|
|
|
|
|
