Match Report

Maidstone 6 v Cobham 22

by Trevor Langley

League London 2 South

Home at the Mote, Saturday 4 October, 2008, Kick Off – 3.00pm

Two mistakes, three minutes into the start of each half, sealed the fate of this match in favour of the visitors, Cobham, who ran out 22-6 victors in an open, free running game. Despite this, head coach, Tim McBennet, expressed a degree of satisfaction afterwards, having witnessed a spirited approach from Maidstone, where the first line defence returned to the high standards required and the team work improved markedly over the previous weeks’ showing.

Nick East stepped up into the front row, to replace Fin Davis, following a family bereavement, while Martin Maytum retained his spot alongside him at prop. James Sullivan came in on the wing, with Nick Van Mol moving to full back, but otherwise, the back line retained the same shape as the previous week and the benefits of this became apparent as the game progressed.

The start for Sullivan was not auspicious; with Cobham’s first foray to the Maidstone line, he failed to clear a probing grubber kick and his opposite number won the ball and spun it back inside for stand off, Crankshaw, following up, to cross the line. The conversion, from 10 metres in, failed but this early score sent a warning that simple errors would be punished.

The lesson was learned by Maidstone and they looked to retain the possession they won and to make the visitors work hard to gain ground into their half. On the negative side, to contain the larger pack, Maidstone lived on the edge and incurred a series of penalties for failing to stay on their feet at the ruck. Inevitably, this resulted in a yellow card, with Andy Bacon being the unlucky recipient, on 25 minutes. To rub salt into the wound, the resultant penalty, in front of the posts, was converted to take Cobham’s lead to eight points.

The reduction in numbers seemed to have little impact on Maidstone and, after missing a difficult penalty chance from wide on the left, Tom Searles slotted a second attempt, from a slightly easier position, shortly thereafter to put the Stones on the scoresheet after 32 minutes.

Any hopes that the home side could retain this position to half-time were dashed when Cobham were awarded a score under the posts, when failure to release the ball after the tackle seemed the more obvious decision from the referee. With the simple conversion, the visitors established a 15-3 lead.

But Maidstone would not lie down and, from the restart, were awarded a penalty on the 22 in front of the posts and Searles made no mistake, to cut the deficit just before half-time.

The need for an up-tempo start to the second half, with an early score, was the obvious requirement if the Stones were to get back into the game and put pressure on Cobham. Unfortunately, this was not to be and, with three minutes gone, a combined failure by the Stones to clear their lines, after Cobham set up a good attacking position down the left, resulted in a try under the posts with the conversion a formality.

 In previous weeks this might have resulted in a collapse of collective will, with the concession of further scores. But the renewed spirit in the side drew Maidstone together and they got stronger as the opposition began to flag.

The replacement of Maytum with debutant prop, Steve Coates, on the hour and Steve Matthews coming on for Andy Bacon, shortly thereafter, left Maidstone’s rhythm undisturbed. Indeed, the line-out functioned more effectively, to ensure a consistent level of ball, with the result the three-quarters began to show a greater level of penetration and flair.

Unfortunately, too much of the game was still being played in the Maidstone half, with the half chances failing to turn Maidstone’s way, but the passing and running kept the visitors on their toes to the end. The final 22-6 scoreline did scant justice to Maidstone’s efforts but the lack of cutting edge in the home side’s back line was a decisive factor on the day.

Team

Sam Bailey; Nick East; Martin Maytum (Steve Coates 55 mins): Andy Bacon (Steve Matthews 65 mins); Sam Johnston: Tom Castle; Sam Rogers; Nick Sargent: Ed Laurent; Piers Frances: James Sullivan; Tom Searles; Martin Arnold (Duncan McClintock 75 mins) ; Richard Glover: Nick Van Mol: