Weekly News Round-Up January 2nd 2006
Well, that’s another year over with: onto the next.
The decision to hold New Years Eve Matches this year (in contrast to most clubs in Kent) looked like a dodgy one right up until the last minute but was vindicated in the end by the numbers who turned out and played their last rugby of 2005.
On Thursday, it seemed inconceivable that any games would be played on Saturday owing to the weather. However, a pitch inspection by Simon Knight on Friday revealed that 2 out of three pitches looked playable and he confirmed this early on Saturday morning.
The next problem was the opposition. Ashford 1 had cried off, leaving the Mustangs without a fixture for the 4th time in 6 weeks. However, Old Gravesendians had confirmed that they were sending a Club XV to play the 3rds. (For once, a further cry-off would actually have been welcome as this would have enabled Maidstone to play 2 internal fixtures, giving 60 players a game)
In the event, Old Gravesendians turned up with an excellent side made up from their 1s, 2s and 3s. Their backs were particularly impressive in a display that saw them win 25 – 5 against a Maidstone XV made up of 4ths, 5ths and Veterans. To call Maidstone a XV is poetic licence as around 25 players participated, necessitating wholesale changes at half time. It was a desperately difficult day for Tony Lee in his 1st match as a skipper, in that it was hard to know who should be on the pitch at any one time and in what position. In fact, it was only at the first scrum that it was realized that Maidstone were playing without a fly-half !!. But the game was played in a good spirit and OGs acquitted themselves well and were deserving winners. Apologies to those players – Vets in particular – that didn’t get a game.
The above arrangement enabled the Mustangs to get a badly needed game under their belts and to give a run-out to one or two players returning from injury. The Mustangs played against what looked like a fairly decent A team on the first team pitch and established their credentials as the club’s 2nd best side by racking up a surprisingly substantial score. Well done to Michael Laurenson for accepting the fixture, although in fact he and the “Dream Team” are well known for being willing to take on anyone, anywhere, anytime.
There is a return to League action for all 5 of the Maidstone teams involved in Leagues next week, whilst the Vets aim to continue their winning form away to Ashford IV in a friendly.
The Firsts must aim to continue the form they showed at Thanet before Christmas to put daylight between themselves and the bottom sides. Meanwhile, The Mustangs must start the second half of the season well to compensate for their slow start back in September and to show that they are one of the major powers in the Invicta League.
Good luck to the 4th team in particular who now embark upon the second half of the season with a highly enthusiastic new skipper at the helm. Lets give Tony Lee all the support that we can.
RE