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Evergreen Cup
Maidstone 21
Gillingham Anchorians 5
On a bitterly cold and grim afternoon, and on a pitch made of molasses,
these two teams did well to produce a good competitive game of rugby.
Maidstone started off with a bang scoring in the first 5 minutes. A break
down the left saw Dave Charlton scissor with winger Pete Mattinson, whose
great angle and pace took him over under the posts. Charlton converted to
make it 7-0 and Maidstone were looking good. Gillingham, however, did not
roll over and were particularly combative in the forwards and when their
inside centre cut back inside. Maidstone did have two more great scoring
opportunities in the half-Mattison had the ball knocked out of his hand as
he went over the line and Charlton narrowly missed a touch down following
a hack through.
The wind would be a big factor in the second half, and Gillingham used it
intelligently to keep Maidstone pinned back in their own half. Half time
substitute, Chris Peddar, straight from the maternity ward after his wife
gave birth to twin boys, gave an inspired performance. Each time he got
the ball he looked quick and dangerous, and it was his run and feed to
Mike Laurenson which allowed the full back to gallop over for the second
try, giving some breathing space to Maidstone. Anchorians came back hard
and it was their centre who drove for the line and off loaded to give the
supporting flanker a try, and keep them in the game.
The last 15 minutes were tense with Maidstone trying to play their way out
of the mud and into the dryer ground in the Gillingham half. Eventually, a
series of line-outs in the Anchorian 22, led to a good drive by Dave
Coleman, who was stopped just short of the line. The ball came out to
Shaun Charlton, who stormed through a gap in the defence to score. Brother
Dave converted to make it 21-5 and that was how it remained.
A tough match, credit to Gillingham, and also to the referee, who came up
from Bristol for the game. He arrived late having got lost in Chatham,
following his Sat Nav directions. He will be glad to get back to the West
Country and get his equipment checked!
Man of match- Chris Peddar, who's electric runs inspired the team and
ensured Maidstone toughed out the match. Congratulations Chris on the new
arrivals.
Team Details:
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Copyright(c) Maidstone Rugby Club |
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