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Maidstone 28 Sutton & Epsom 25 |
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Maidstone began their league campaign in fine style with a pulsating, energy sapping win at the Mote on Saturday. Outscoring their former London one visitors Sutton and Epsom with 4 absolute gems of tries. Sutton had been relegated from London Div one for the first time in the league’s history ,18 years! So they are determined to get right back. Maidstone were having none it it and reputations were respected but certainly not feared!
The home side got on the score board after 10 minutes. Following a lineout quick passing from Fly Half Glen Aukett to ‘Electric’ Centre Gary Whitehead who totally wrong footed his opposite number to put winger Neil Graves away. Craig Whitehead added the 2 points. Following an injury to Skipper Jon Sargent replacement Neil Smitherman more than acquitted himself as he combined well with the rest of the team. By now Sutton had scored a try of their own through nr 8 Clark. Player coach Sam Howard added the points as well as 3 more penalties, to move the score away from the home side, but Maidstone were not being intimidated and a touch kick by Martin Arnold and subsequent indiscretion by Sutton gave a penalty to Maidstone who just on half time spurned a kickable penalty in favour of touch /own throw lineout. It was a quick feed from Aukett to Gary Whitehead who fired through the Sutton defence to score at the posts. Craig Whitehead added the points.
Half Time - Maidstone 14 Sutton Epsom 13
By now Maidstone were gaining the upper hand in the scrum and coupled with their extra fitness were beginning to take control of the match. Following a break down field by Martin Arnold he chose, for his own better known reasons, to punt the ball high at the Sutton line. The ball coming out of the sun ,’Spitfirelike’ and with the 2 Sutton players completely missing their target, the ball bounced outrageously almost over Arnolds head but he was able to catch and score to put the home side further ahead. But Sutton were far from beaten, they had not been in London one for so long for nothing,2 further tries put them in front again.
But then began the most tense period of the whole game with Maidstone pounding the opposing line wearing down the opposition with numerous scrums and mauls near the line. At each stoppage there were Sutton bodies gasping for breath and water, how long could they last? Time though was ticking by fast and we were now well into injury time. Finally after yet another scrum near the line an inch perfect grubber kick by Glen Aukett towards the left touch flag was pounced on by eagle eyed hooker Tom Rogers to score inches inside the line. Craig Whitehead added the conversion from the touch line.
What a match! All those who were lucky to have been their will remember this one and if this is the standard of things to come were in for a treat this season This was summed up perfectly by the referee Alastair Newton from Essex who said afterwards ‘what a pleasure to do a game with 2 sides who were totally committed to playing the game’ How right he was!! Team Maidstone Ian Howson, Neil Graves, Martin Arnold, Gary Whitehead, Tim Porter, Glen Aukett, Craig Whitehead, Rob Jeffrey (Jim Walker) Chris Findlay, Steve Matthews, Sam Johnston, Adam Webb, Jon Sargent (Neil Smitherman), Ben Court |