|
|
We asked for a game to see off our friend "The Frenchman" in style, what
better than a grudge match against our local rivals Ashford IV's who
embarrasingly thrashed us earlier this year.
With the memories of the previous game fresh in our minds, the team had
to be a strong one, fit and fast, what better than to bring our foreign
visitors into action.
From the training grounds our Welsh friend Simon Flemming was found, a
monstrous winger, incredible pace and fearless technique.
From the 4th team Andres The German, a towering brute with colossal
power and an angelic smile.
From our own team the Barbaric Basque, the brick on legs, Inigo Lasa. No
player before him has ever had more opponents leave the pitch fearing for
their lives.
Of course, our trump card, the incredible talent of "The Frenchman"
Julien Marques, impossible to stop, incredible to watch, what better man
for the job of leading our backs.
Our team was to be unleashed, we kicked off and from the start the
Ashford players went down. Inigo made the first hit, an Ashford prop
crunched on the floor, he certainly didn't get up too quickly.
Ashford opted to play a kicking game, relying upon their lineouts. For
them Colin Frost proved devastating, securing their put in's hurtling
the ball to our backs where Richard Nunn stood in wait, crashing his way
across the line for a converted try.
Next it was Ben Fosket putting pressure on the Ashford lines, slipping
and sliding, taking one tackle then pushing into the next, pressing upto
the try line, the follwing score was to be given held up.
Ashford struggling gave away a penalty against their try line.
The Maidstone team in attempt to trick their hosts switched the ball to
Trevor Bradley who hammered his way into the big guys of Ashford.
With most Ashford players drawn in, nothing could stand in the way of
Paul Kelly's ferocious determination, with what seemed to be an entire
back line on his back, he marched over the try line.
With Maidstone returning the ball again, a slick chip from Marques saw
the welsh man storm across the pitch totalling his opposite winger. The
collision being so hard that the Ashford winger was carried off to
hospital.
Maidstone still in control and Ashford's backs in tatters it was Mike
Gillies to score next with a clever break from nowhere to plant one
between the posts to be converted by Richard Nunn, this sealed the first
half, Maidstone were dominating.
With the 2nd half kicking off Maidstone pushed their hosts back against
their try lines. The tight 5 lead the assualt which saw the back row,
led by Colin Frost clatter their way over the line for the 4th try of
the game.
Ashford made their substitions using players from their youth team,
their introduction certainly made an impact.
Next came the 1st awarded Ashford try of the game, with the attacker
pushed out across the flag and the ball wrapped up in Marques's chest,
the decision was certainly not popular as it was given to an
Ashford substitute touch judge who declared the try.
With the three try's of Marques all deemed held up, knock on's awarded
against us and stupid mistakes due to frustration, Ashford were winning
the mind game, they were also scoring try's.
The scores now even, the final play of the game, Ashford's most
agressive man, the touch judge was on the offence!
The Maidstone captain succesfully twisting him head first into the floor
allowing full back Paul Hodges to step over and succesfully steal the
ball.
With a 5 on 2 situation against him, Hodges stepped his man mark, he
drew in 3 more and found his oppening, a superb chip through the defense
saw a race between both wingers, which ever man caught this would win
the game.
The crowd was silent, Ashford's winger being closer, Gary Hickey being
faster.
The Ashford winger reached out, the ball within his reach, Hickey like a
train charged on through, ball secure leaving the Ashford defender
flailing as he rolled head over heels.
Gary Hickey steamed under the posts and had secured the win.
The final score, Maidstone 31, Asford 24.
Although this score sounds tight, it doesn't reflect the level of
dominance Maidstone exhibited, against the same experienced team that beat us s badly just a few months ago, the Barbarians stood strong.
Point scorers in alphabetical order:
Colin Frost 5
Gary Hickey 5
Mike Gillies 5
Paul Kelly 5
Richard Nunn 11
:
|
Copyright(c) Maidstone Rugby Club |
|
|
|
|
|
