|
|
|
|
Beckenham 29 Maidstone 27 |
|
Maidstone firmly put last weeks disappointment aside and were determined to totally focus on this match. This they did and for most of the first half played the game in the Beckenham half. They scored 2 cracking tries and should have won the match. The first following at crashing break by centre Martin Arnold who fed Neil Graves to go over in the corner. The next was a solo effort from Arnold who showed his size and strength bursting through the cover to score at the posts. This should have heralded more points but time and again chances were lost due to unforced errors and poor decisions. They will be kicking themselves for not making better use of them as had they done so the match could have been won in the first half alone!
Beckenham got a break away try as well as a penalty apiece to turn round 15-8 to the visitors
Beckenham obviously got a wake up call at half time from the coaches as they immediately scored a fine try by the sidestepping fly half Wright.
The home side’s captain, Jarrad Tipene was yellow carded over some enthusiastic introductions to Maidstone’s skipper on the ground! With one man light it was just a matter of time before Maidstone struck back. After a scrum against the head play moved quickly metres from the line and following quick rucking Craig Whitehead pounced on the ball and dived over. Shortly afterwards a typical Neil Graves run was held up just short of the line. A further try for Beckenham put them ahead and yet another crucial score from the restart extended their the lead further.
Maidstone were far from finished as two scores would suffice. A penalty to touch came to nothing but minutes later Jon Sargent broke away from 30 metres to score under the posts .There was just not enough time to come back.
Oh how Maidstone will rue the missed first half chances!
Tries: Graves, Arnold ,C Whitehead, J Sargent Conversions: Craig Whitehead 2 Penalty: Craig Whitehead
Team Maidstone John Wilford Tim Porter, Martin Arnold ,Gary Whitehead, Neil Graves, Glen Aukett, Craig Whitehead, Scott McIlroy, Tom Rogers, Ben Court, Dan Cummings (John Obrien), Steve Matthews, Adam Webb, Nick Sargent, Jon Sargent(C) |