Weekly News Round Up 11th December 2005
This was the weekend of the well-matched fixture as all of the senior sides won or lost by the margin of just one score.
The First Team lost to Lewes in the league by just one score and remain third from bottom of L2S. Having last won in the league against Thanet Wanderers on the 19th November, Maidstone must aim to repeat that feat when playing away at Thanet next week. Thanet themselves have not won in the League since November 12th and will be desperate to end their losing streak so it will be a formidable encounter at St Peters.
The Mustangs, also at home, beat Tunbridge Wells II for the second time this season, despite the absence of skipper James Ferris who was playing for the 1sts. The game was refereed by Rebecca Patrick who is one of the few female referees in the Kent Society. She is also the Society re-appointments officer and has the unenviable task of re-appointing referees to matches when last minute changes are necessary, so her phone is red-hot every Thursday and Friday evening. I hope she enjoyed her visit to Maidstone and will continue to look favourably on our last minute requests for Society Refs.
The Thirds warmed up for their League Match next week against Aylesford IIIs by taking on Aylesford IIs at Aylesford in a friendly, and came within a minute of winning before losing 10-7 at the death. A great performance.
The 4th Team, ably assisted by a number of regular B team players, went away to Vigo IIs in a friendly and came away from a very well matched fixture with a satisfying – if tight – win.
The Veterans travelled to Canterbury to play Canterbury Vets, having drawn earlier in the season with Canterbury 5s. Although the team that awaited them appeared to be Canterbury 4s, Maidstone Vets produced perhaps their best performance of the season to win 12-10. (Notwithstanding a second-half front-row of Dunster, Ehrhart and Schooledge that had a combined age of 168) (which means that, judging by the look of Ehrhart, Dunster and Schooledge must both be well under 40)
The B XV fixture against Tunbridge Wells 4 was abandoned at selection on Wednesday, when it became apparent that owing to Christmas Shopping or some other important activities, there would be insufficient players to get 6 teams out. This was the first time this season that Maidstone have cried-off a senior side and, bearing in mind the experience of recent weeks where other clubs have let us down so often, we can take great pride in the team-spirit and support that has been forthcoming from the players and team captains during the first half of the season. Keep it up.
Talking of Team Captains, there is an exciting development with regard to the 4th team vacancy and hopefully a new skipper can be announced next week to take over the reins from Monty, who has been standing in for the past few weeks and to whom sincere thanks are due.
The big match of next week-end is the annual epic between the B and the Veterans, with the B hoping to dislodge the stranglehold that The Vets have maintained in recent seasons. The Vets however, look in no mood to be dislodged this year so a classic should ensue with Kent Society Ref Claire Warner scheduled to adjudicate once again.
Christmas Party follows, with Christmas Carols and raffle and The Drippin’ Taps jazz band providing entertainment for all the family. Carols are scheduled to kick off at 5:30 with raffle etc around 6:30 and music thereafter.
Don’t forget that we have some matches planned for 31st December, with a Club XV lined up to play Ashford 1, Old Gravesendians II coming to play the 3s and 4s/5s lining up to play against Maidstone Vets. There should be a game there for anyone who wants to see out 2005, our 125th year, on the pitch.
New Year’s Eve party kicks-off at 8pm (nominal charge on the door to cover costs) Its best to come “In Disguise”, as you wouldn’t want to be recognized getting up to any of the silly things that Jon Sargent has got planned, never mind the karaoke. Should be a great night amongst friends. Miss it at your peril.
RE