Senior Club Round Up 23rd October 2005
After a weekend where Maidstone won 5 out of the 6 games played, it is frustrating that the “one that got away” was the most important result for the club. However, the First team score-line could not have been much closer, in what must have been a very exciting match that could have gone either way. Doubly frustrating perhaps, to lose a game that could have been won?
Meanwhile, like Chelsea, the Veterans remain unbeaten, having drawn one and won all the rest. This week’s opponents were Cranbrook Vets who, with their quota of illustrious former Maidstone 1st Teamers are normally just too strong for Maidstone. This year’s result of 12-0 to Maidstone speaks of a very hard-fought game in which the new, blond James Bond was apparently outstanding for Maidstone, playing out of position in the back row – and not one of his blond hairs out of place.
Whilst on the subject of Cranbrook, the B should get some plaudits for a spirited 20-17 league win away against Cranbrook 3, where a comfortable lead was thrown away only to be regained in the last 10 minutes. Once again, the under 18s in the B team made a huge impact – literally – launching knee high “exocet” tackles at anything that moved. It is to be sincerely hoped that these players will have moved on up the club by the time that the B play the Veterans in their traditional pre-Christmas show-down.
The Mustangs made the short trip to Aylesford to play an in-form Aylesford II and came away with a win, albeit only 6-5. However, a win is a win in the League table and after a slow start, the Mustangs are now climbing up the Invicta League. After playing at fly-half for the Mustangs this week, it will be interesting to see if A team skipper, Michael Laurenson, can regain his place at full back in the “Dream Team” next week.
Speaking of the “Dreamy Boys” (as they were dubbed in the Westcombe Park match report a few weeks ago), they were due to play Bromley II in their last match of the Mid-Kent v Metropolitan Challenge. However, Bromley felt unable to field a sufficiently strong side and conceded the points. Medway II stepped into the breach to supply the opposition in a friendly and then suffered the defeat that Bromley should have had. Whilst there have been some good fixtures in this competition, there have also been some real mis-matches and whilst the A have trekked up to South London three times to face really tough competition, Bromley’s concession means that only one team has made the journey back to Maidstone. Final rankings for this competition should be available next week.
The Extra A managed finally to unleash some of the potential they have been showing, by beating Old Gravesendians III 43-5 in the League. With three tries for wingers, two for centres and one for the forwards, it was a good all round team effort and the kind of performance that should enable the extra A to reach the top of their League come next March. Next week’s opposition, Gillingham Anchorians, have had to cry-off and concede the points, so a suitable fixture is now being sought on the fixture exchange.
Looking ahead, the Firsts are at home next week to Sevenoaks, who will be hoping to improve on their tally of 2 defeats and a draw that they suffered at the hands of Maidstone last year. Having taken Jersey apart 2 weeks ago and beaten Gosport and Fareham last week, Sevenoaks will arrive full of confidence. A very tough and exciting match is on the cards.
Further ahead, Maidstone will be playing Folkestone at the Mote in our first (and hopefully not last) Kent Cup fixture of the season on Sunday 27th November at 2:00 pm. This is a great chance for players who don’t normally get the chance to see the 1sts in action to come along and support the team and to enjoy the excitement of seeing Rugby played at this level. Why not bring a friend – if you have one – and spread the word. Never mind Charlton and the Valley Express: this is great sporting entertainment on our own doorsteps!!
Stop-Press: The club-house now has a piano. I know that we could find any number of piano-shifters amongst our ranks but do we have any piano players??? (and a piano- tuner would be handy)
RE