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Maidstone 15 Sevenoaks 37 |
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Maidstone first home game for a month and a match they had to win to keep their challenge alive finished in disappointment. Playing almost 90% of the game in their own half it was not surprising that when Sevenoaks took their chances they posted a score that more than justifies their table position.
Sevenoaks put the home side under immediate pressure and within minutes Maidstone were penalised for offside. However from the restart and following a barnstorming run by Maidstone’s Obrien, only to be held up short of the line. The ball was recycled and with ‘oaks penalised Gary Whitehead took the dropped goal option knowing another chance was forthcoming.
But then from the restart quick handling, 3 tries in quick succession put Maidstone firmly on the back foot. Heads didn’t go down however on the contrary. Maidstone launched another attack at the visitors line and were rewarded with a nick sergeant try following a catch and drive at the line out. A further passage of play saw the ball dropped with the line in sight but shortly afterwards a miss pass to Gary Whitehead who broke through the defence and with Steve Mathews at his heels took the ball to race under the posts.
Only 20 -15 down at half time and things were looking up for the second half!
Sevenoaks scored shortly after the restart at the posts to extend the lead further and now Maidstone defending most of the time were getting frustrated with some of the decisions going against them, ill discipline crept in and penalties were given away. Rob Jefferies, of all people, was yellow carded for coming in the side of a ruck. Fortunately Sevenoaks were off target with all but one of the kicks!
They scored another converted try to put the match out of sight.
It is again a credit to Maidstone that their defence held out for so long in spite of their territorial imbalance. Today has shown that when they have got into the opposition half and going forward they have the capability of getting on the score board.
Tries: N. Sargent, S Matthews Conversions Craig Whitehead 1 Drop Goal Gary Whitehead
Team: Maidstone Tim Porter, Damien Houlihan,
Alex Malejac, Gary Whitehead, Neil Graves, Glen Aukett, |