Weekly News Round Up 22nd Jan 2006
It was by no means a perfect week for Maidstone but when the First Team result hit the club-house, it certainly felt like one. 29-15 was an emphatic away win against Sevenoaks, who still lie 3rd in the table even after this result, and it proved that Maidstone are quite capable of beating any side in this division. Even runaway leaders Guildford can be beaten, as demonstrated by Lewes this week, and there must be quite a few sides who won’t now fancy their chances against a resurgent and confident Maidstone.
Elsewhere in the club, the results weren’t so good, as playing resources were stretched to the limits.
The Mustangs went down to Sidcup II in the Invicta League by 18 points to 15. This week it was the Mustangs turn to score in the last 5 minutes, but there just wasn’t time to go on and claim victory. It was a good performance however, considering how many 3rd team and even 4th team players had stepped up for the day to fill gaps. New 4th team skipper, Tony Lee, came on and played in the back-row and acquitted himself well, by all accounts. Not bad for someone who played his first game of rugby only a year ago. The latest league table shows the Mustangs in 4th place and whilst there doesn’t appear to be much hope of catching unbeaten leaders Beckenham, 2nd place would still appear to be a realistic aim.
The A team went off to Lordswood II without their skipper Mike Laurenson, (who was on Mustangs duty) and with around half of the regular side missing. They gave a good account of themselves but lost by one point with the last play of the match to record their first loss in the league this year. Disappointing – but even Chelsea have the odd slip-up and its hard to see this denting Maidstone’s chances of winning the Mid Kent A League title this year.
The Extra A were due for a hard league match at New Ash Green II but were surprised and disappointed when NAG conceded the match (and League points) on Friday. As no replacement fixture could be found, the side was disbanded and some players found gainful employment in the 2s, 3s, 5s and Vets and some went shopping.
The B visited Lordswood III, who are unbeaten at the top of Mid Kent D. Suffice to say that Lordswood are still unbeaten but it was a good game and I’m told that Maidstone won the second half. If only it were not a game of two halves, Trevor would now be over the moon instead of feeling as sick as a parrot.
The Veterans, still without their greatly revered skipper, were pleased to pick up a re-arranged fixture against their great and powerful rivals, TJ Vets. Played in the usual friendly spirit, Maidstone looked too strong throughout for a TJ side that lacked one or two regulars and they were never going to let the chance for victory escape them. In the end Maidstone won comfortably and celebrated another noteworthy win in an unusually good season.
Next weeks fixtures include 5 League matches again, with the first team hosting Beckenham and the Mustangs travelling to Thanet. Beckenham are always going to provide stiff opposition at any level but Maidstone must be confident of reversing the result at Beckenham in October when the game was lost 29-27, despite Maidstone having any number of chances to win. The Beckenham website said after that match “Maidstone are good enough to stay in this league but must learn to take their chances” Good advice that I’m sure Maidstone will follow in what is now a mid-table clash.
It should be great entertainment so come and give the team some support.
RE