Weekly News Round-Up 19th March 2006
Just about the quietest week-end of the season, with only 2 teams getting a game.
The First Team had no scheduled fixture and took a week off.
The Mustangs were scheduled to play Charlton Park II in what was originally an Invicta League game but which changed to a friendly when CPII scratched from the league earlier in the year. Despite assurances earlier in the week, the call came on Thursday night that CP couldn’t raise a side and by Friday night when nothing had appeared on the fixture exchange, the Mustangs were disbanded.
The 3rds were due to play Medway I in a friendly but by mid-week, Medway hadn’t raised a side and so the fixture was switched to Anchorians II (Ironically, it transpires that Medway did get a team out in the end but had to trek up to Beckenham for a fixture instead of playing our 3s at home) This was the 4th encounter between Maidstone III and Anchs II this season and despite (maybe owing to) the fact that Anchs had lost the first 3, they turned up with real intent to secure a win and made a really enthralling game of it. Both sides fielded a blend of youth and experience (Anchs seemed to have some players older than ours!!!) and it was good to see 3 of the Maidstone under 17 side playing at this level for Maidstone. In the end, Maidstone won it by one score, but both teams deserved great credit for sticking at it.
The 4ths were due to play Canterbury 4, but since at least half the 4ths went to Uckfield on Trevor’s charabanc outing, their fixture was passed to The Vets to play instead, as they didn’t have a fixture themselves. Regrettably, Canterbury then cried off late on Thursday night and the fixture exchange yielded nothing suitable for the Vets who ended up playing 7s amongst themselves again.
The B meanwhile, were enjoying a day trip to deepest Sussex to play against an Uckfield President’s XV (but hopefully not the strongest XV he could have chosen) and to sample the Harvey’s bitter.
Despite Maidstone making the early running, they contrived to lose a high scoring game 41-19 and even 2 tries from rookie 2nd row Steve Oakley, were not enough to secure a Barbarians victory. An Irish victory against England sent the skipper home happy but the question now is whether The B can break this losing sequence before the end of the season, with only 3 games left to play. Its almost worth opening a book on it.
There’s a big weekend ahead, with the visit of 2nd placed Guildford, who might just be feeling complacent after the cricket score they ran up against Maidstone earlier in the season. However, they have suddenly proved vulnerable themselves in the second half of the season and its certainly no foregone conclusion that they will leave Maidstone with the points that they need to keep pressure on top club Portsmouth.
The Mustangs are away to Dartfordians in the Invicta League and as for the other 4 scheduled fixtures (all friendlies) anything could happen, depending on whether the opposition can muster teams for us to play.
Here’s a useful tip. As its Mother’s day on Sunday, a good suggestion would be to treat your mothers and/or wives to a slap-up lunch and then, to make their day really memorable, take them along to Aylesford RFC where the Maidstone Under 16s are playing Bromley in the final of the County Cup at 1.30. If I’m any judge of the ladies (and I like to think I am) you will be on to a sure fire winner with this little expedition. In my experience, they always appreciate one’s efforts more if they can see that one has put a bit of thought into planning something beforehand, so this little treat really fits the bill. And once they catch sight of those fit young teenage boys pounding into one another, all thoughts of recrimination will soon be forgotten and you can settle down to enjoy the rugby in peace. Don’t let on beforehand though, as the ladies do love a surprise. Try it and see.
Lastly, but not leastly, I am pleased to be able to update some details concerning the end of season (ish) Party Night at the club on Friday 7th April. I am pleased to say that as well as music from the legendary Menin Shortz and a very tasty curry, we are now ready to confirm a professional support act provided for us by the Up The Creek comedy club in Union Street. A guitar based comedian is how he’s been described (could be talking about Menin Shortz again) and by Friday we should even be able to reveal his name. So, for a fiver, you’re getting a night out at the club, with comedian, food and a live band thrown in. Shame there are only a hundred tickets available, so make sure you get yours this weekend.
RE
PS If you search for Menin Shortz on google, don’t get distracted by “Gay Men in Shorts”. That’s a completely different form of entertainment.