Weekly News Round Up  12th Feb 2006

 

Five consecutive wins for the First Team, following their convincing win against Midwives on Saturday, means that apart from Portsmouth, Maidstone are now the form side in London Two South.  This victory advances Maidstone up the League table from 7^th to 5^th at the expense of Lewes and Jersey who both lost. With every game that passes and with every win that’s notched up, the next game starts to look increasingly winnable and its hard to say where this winning streak might stop – except to say of course that there are no foregone conclusions in this League and no team from top to bottom can be sure of winning (or losing) their next fixture.  What was significant about this week’s result is that it was achieved despite the non-availability of significant numbers of the First Team squad and goes to show that the revival in the fortunes of the Mustangs under James Ferris and Andy Golding has boosted the strength in depth of the Firsts.

 

Playing numbers were seriously depleted from the top down this week which meant that the Mustangs team that travelled to TJ IIs had only about 5 regulars in the side, the rest being made up from the 3s, 4s and even (by substitution) the Vets. Whilst never seriously out-played (and greatly relieved at not having to lift Dave Scanlon in the line-outs after he went off injured), the team struggled somewhat in the scrum and paid the ultimate price for a lack of penetration against a committed and fired-up TJ side that took their own chances well. It was a shame that shortly before the end of what had never been an over-physical encounter, Nick East had his head and face badly raked by a TJ boot as he lay on the ground at a ruck. (It looked pretty unlikely to have been an accident but one sincerely hopes that it was just that).  One of Nick’s sympathetic team-mates later remarked that there was so much squealing that he thought a little girl on the touch-line had fallen off her tricycle but in fairness, there was plenty of blood to go with the squealing – and Nick did get up and play on once he found a bandage to wrap round his head. No lasting damage - one hopes.

 

The 3rds also travelled to Tonbridge for a league game – likewise depleted of regulars and boasting a motley collection of 3^rd, 4th and 5^th team players together with – in sheer desperation – a rookie back-row player who has only recently emerged from the First Team front-row and is slowly learning his new trade at number 8.   To make matters worse, Ian Wilkinson left his kit in Maidstone and disappeared up Tonbridge High Street  to buy new boots and kit  - but still managed to be out of the changing room ready to start before some of the side had even showed up. No wonder TJs were fired up by the time the game started, having been kept waiting for 25 minutes, and were able to run in an easy try from the off.  Following a poor start, Maidstone left themselves too much to do in the second half and despite fighting their way back into contention, lost by a score or two.  Sympathies to Steve Goodwin from the 5^th team, who scored Maidstone’s first try but then had his nose broken by a Tonbridge knee just before the end. (I’m just glad I didn’t hear the crunch as it was said to be truly sickening)  Congratulations to James Benger on scoring his first ever try.  (One of the senior  members of the side later revealed that he himself hasn’t scored a try in 8 years – but that he gets a warm glow of satisfaction when he can help a team-mate to score – which just goes to show that there’s no “I” in “Team” – or in “Plowman” for that matter”)

 

The 4^th  team players all played for the 3rds or 2nds (or went shopping) so, since TJ Vets had cried off against Maidstone Vets, Maidstone’s Vets turned out against TJ 4s in the scheduled League match in place of Maidstone 4ths. (confused?)   However, there was dismay amongst the assembled cast of wrinklies when Glyn announced in the car-park that as it was a league game, there could only be 3 substitutes and 6 of the Vets would not get even half a game. However, the TJ skipper generously volunteered to waive the rule in order to accommodate Maidstone’s multitudes. A fine game was played in good spirit; the Vets duly triumphed and the 4ths retained their chances of winning the Mid Kent C League thanks to the fine old gents of the Veterans XV. Maidstone’s grateful 4th team skipper promised a jug of foaming bitter, and I shall be checking next week to see if it ever materialised - even though none of it was for me, having played for the Mustangs.

 

As for the B XV, they stayed at the Mote to fulfil their League Fixture against Gravesend V but sadly, chalked up their 7^th consecutive defeat thanks largely to a complete lack of aggression in the first half during which they conceded 3 quick tries.  Never known for his lack of aggression, the amazing one-man whirl-wind “Stumpy” Kinch, managed to earn himself 10 minutes in the sin-bin and although I wasn’t there, judging by his “previous” I would say that it was a fair cop and the ref got him ‘bang to rights’.

 

Next week, the Firsts travel the 100 odd miles down the A3 to Gosport & Fareham (I believe there might be some spare seats on the coach which leaves at 10-30 sharp. If any travelling supporters are interested, Tony Dray is probably the man to contact) Following a mid-season slump, G&F will hope that they have turned a bit of a corner having beaten Sevenoaks and drawn with Beckenham in their last two outings, so a feisty reception is sure to await a Maidstone side looking to do the double over them. 

 

The Mustangs are the star attraction at home as they take on Aylesford II, having beaten them only 6-5 in the away fixture in October.

 

The A team take on bottom side East Peckham, whilst the extra A have a must-win match away at unbeaten league leaders Medway III.

 

Lastly, I have once again pasted in Saturday’s match programme so that the wise and witty words of our revered First Team Captain can reach a wider audience. (see below)

 

RE

 

Cover Info

 

Maidstone

v

Old Mid-Whitgiftians

11^th February 2006

KO. 2.30pm

London 2 South

 

MAIDSTONE                                                            OLD MID-WHITGIFTIANS

(Red, White & Black Hoops)                                       (Blue & Black with White Trim)

Dave Charlton                                      15                    James Butterworth

Tim Porter                                            14                    Sam Mahama

(BioMedical Business Partners)

Neil Graves                                          13                    Paddy Garvey

Martin Arnold                                       12                    Mark Macaskill
(College Road Dental Surgery)

 

Mark Ryan                                            11                    James Grice
(Howarth, Clark & Whitehill)

 

Glenn Aukett                                        10                    James Orchard
(Island Sports)

 

Craig Whitehead                                  9                      David Stanton

(Island Sports)

 

Scott McIlroy                                          1                      Bryn Hodges
(Simon Wright Homes)

 

Rob Jeffrey                                            2                      Chris Shaw

Simon Hollister                                     3                      Nick Hamilton

Sam Johnston                                       4                      Steve Berry

 

Steve Matthews                                    5                       Ikay

(Blue Vinny Restaurant, Elham)

            

Jon Sargent (capt)                                6                      Russell Jones

(Island Sports)

 

Ed Davis                                                7                      Joe O’Keefe

 

Ben Court                                               8                      Neil Taft

(Handf Finance)

 

Dan Cummings                                    16                   

 Cameron Anning                                 17                   

 James Ferris                                       18                   

Players Sponsor Name in Brackets

 

REFEREE:       John Price (Kent Soc)

Touch Judges: Dave Hughes (Maidstone)

Lee Macaskill (OM’s)
 

If you are interested in Sponsoring any player in the 1^st team squad, please see Jon Sargent.

 

Introduction

We extend a warm welcome to our visitors from Surrey today for our second league meeting of the season.  Having won a close encounter at home in October, Old Mids will be looking to move themselves away from the relegation zone by bucking the trend that has developed between the two clubs where the home side wins.  With the league as tight as it is and with sides taking points off each other around them, both sides will be keen to move up the table. 

 

Since their formation in 1925, Old Mid-Whitgiftians have risen to be one of the top clubs in Surrey and can claim George Chuter, Shane Roiser and Alex Codling as recent alumni.  Following the decision to ‘go open’ in the mid-70’s, their success in the early 80’s saw them elected to London 2 South at the formation of the leagues having won the Surrey Cup three times.  Following promotion to London 1, they competed for 11 years (where they beat Maidstone 32-15 in 1994) before restructuring saw them return to London 2 South in 2000.

 

They arrive at the Mote today to find Maidstone keen not to let all the good work of four consecutive wins go to waste.  With both sides too close to the wrong end of the table for comfort, we’re in for a full bloodied encounter with both sides having everything to play for.

 

Captains Comments

With 4 wins on the bounce we have managed to move ourselves 5 points clear of the bottom three, but we know that we are nowhere near a position of safety.  With a difficult run in March and April, everyone focused on the need to continue the run of form in a tough February that includes a trip to Gosport.

 

With Ed Davis still available and Marty and myself just about staying in one piece, we have once again managed to keep a fairly stable side.  Scotty Mc is back from his Irish jaunt to bolster the pack, and while John Wilford has had a kidney stone removed and is out, it opens the door for DC to slot in at full-back and complete the set of having started a 1^st team game in every position in the backs.  

 

This week’s ‘Jammy Bugger Award’ goes to our hooker Tommy Rogers.  Tom announced on Tuesday that he has won a trip for two to Rome this weekend for the England-Italy game including a couple of hundred quid spending money.  However, it’s not all gone according to plan, as Tom’s girlfriend Emma has not been allowed the time off work, so she can’t go with him.  We wish Tom a safe trip, and more importantly we hope that the £100 I gave Emma’s boss proves to be a wise investment, and that I can actually get some quality time with her while Tom’s away...

 

‘The Phantom’ Debate: *Update* While the ‘work-shy Kiwi shirker’ label has proved hard to shift, Sam has this week received the following glowing celebrity endorsement:

“Sam Johnston is the best gym instructor I ever had.  He never fails to put slightly more effort into a workout than me” – Rick Waller

The debate continues… 

 

Enjoy the game!

Jon

Upcoming Social Events

Thursday 13^th April:      Annual Club Dinner & Awards @ The Grangemoor Hotel

    Tickets £25 – Contact Jon Sargent

Friday 5^th May:             Spring Ball @ The Ramada Hotel

                                        Tickets £35 – Contact Wendy Pound

Friday 12^th May:           Golf Day @ Bearsted Golf Club

                                        Contact Bob Beney

 

NEXT WEEK:       MUSTANGS v AYLESFORD 2’s

K.O.  2.30pm @ the MOTE

25^th FEB: 1^st XV v BLACKHEATH

Kent Cup Quarter Final

K.O.  2.00pm @ the MOTE

 

PLAYER PROFILE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Club Shop

 

Don’t forget that the following items are available at the Club Shop!

 

SHIRT          RAIN JACKET                   FLEECE         POLO SHIRT

          TRAINING TOP          DRESS SHIRT             CLUB TIE

 

Further details are available on the website and orders can also be placed over the bar. 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW!

 

Limited Edition 125 L3SE League Champions Shirt

 

Just £25

See Jon Sargent for details or to order one

 

LONDON 2 SOUTH

Team	P	W	D	L	For	Against	Diff	Pts
Guildford	15	13	0	2	516	262	254	26
Portsmouth	15	12	1	2	480	228	252	25
Sevenoaks	15	9	0	6	406	285	121	18
Beckenham	15	8	0	7	366	285	81	16
Jersey	15	7	1	7	377	385	-8	15
Lewes	15	7	1	7	378	400	-22	15
Maidstone	15	7	0	8	286	363	-77	14
Thanet Wanderers	15	6	0	9	330	315	15	12
Sutton & Epsom	15	6	0	9	316	328	-12	12
Old Mid-Whitgiftian	15	5	1	9	216	330	-114	9	2
Sidcup	15	4	0	11	190	388	-198	8
Gosport and Fareham	15	4	0	11	193	485	-292	8

 

Results:

Saturday, 28 January 2006
Gosport and Fareham	7 - 3	Sevenoaks
Guildford	17 - 43	Portsmouth
Jersey	31 - 21	Sidcup
Maidstone	17 - 13	Beckenham
Old Mid-Whitgiftian	22 - 20	Lewes
Sutton & Epsom	14 - 24	Thanet Wanderers

 

Saturday, 4 February 2006
Lewes	31 - 17	Beckenham

 

A XV               40 – 17            Llanishen (Cardiff)                               

Ex A XV          12 – 25            Cranbrook 3’s             

B XV               12 – 20            Sheppey Vets