Anchs II 8
Maidstone IV 3
Another week in the Maidstone 4th team season, a season within which team consistency was required as promotion meant tougher and more organised opposition, saw 6 new faces to last week’s team.
This week’s opposition was the well drilled Anchorian 2nd team. On paper Maidstone possibly had their strongest back line all season, yet poor weather conditions meant the ball struggled to get past inside centre, and a game strewn with handling errors turned over ball and attempts to kick for territory lead to a low scoring game.
The bright spark of the game was the first appearance this season of Ben Jones, starting at No.8 and finishing at scrum half, he was by far the best Maidstone player on the day.
Gillingham had the majority of possession during the game, this was without the additional possession handed to Anchs by the official on the day! Early first half pressure saw Gillingham surprisingly go for the posts, a hooked kick left the scores at 0-0. Maidstone’s pack won, and turned over plenty of ball but for the second week running a stable platform to launch attacks from could not be established.
The deadlock was broken as Gillingham pounced on a handling error by Madistone across their own line, the try was a shame as Maidstone had a resolute defence all day.
A back and forth second half ensued, Euan Caborne and Martin Arnold kicked well from within our own 22, and Euan converted a penalty to make the scores 5-3 and the hint of a victory could be seen. Alas, Anchs forwards continued to pound the ball, their trademark rolling mauls could not get going – credit to the pack for this. As time wore on Gillingham converted a penalty of their own to take the score to 8-3, and this is where it ended.
A much spirited performance from Madstone, thanks for all the efforts. Victory was only a different bounce of the ball away in my eyes.
Mark