Match Report

Gravesend 41 v Maidstone 5      

by Trevor Langley

League London 2 South

Away at Gravesend, Saturday 11 October, 2008, Kick Off – 3.00pm

After the improving performances over the previous two weeks, this visit to newly promoted local rivals, Gravesend, was viewed with a degree of optimism. In addition, the return of Mark Ryan at outside centre, to partner Tom Searles, likewise promised greater attacking options. But it was not to be as, once again, Maidstone flattered to deceive, going down 41-5 in a comprehensive defeat.

The frustrating thing for the supporters was that it could all have been so different had the Stones taken their chances in the first half and not given away a number of easy tries through simple errors.

Martin Arnold moved to full back for this game, replacing the unavailable Nick Van Mol, while Sam Johnston came into the back row with Tom Castle moving across to openside flanker. Last week’s front row debutant, Steve Coates retained his place with Martin Maytum moving to the bench.

On a sunny autumnal afternoon, with barely a breath of breeze, the conditions for open rugby were perfect. The expectation was that Maidstone would work through their three-quarters and stretch the heavier opposition pack. But this strategy had no chance of working when in the first minute, full back Arnold’s clearance kick, in his 22, was charged down and winger Nolan fell on the ball over the line. A second score on six minutes, put even more pressure on Maidstone when Gravesend simply out-passed the defence for blind-side, Clement, to touch down, wide on the right. The conversion attempt hit the upright to limit the lead to ten points.

Gathering what poise could be mustered, Maidstone had a straightforward chance to score when Arnold cut back inside to set up a ruck in the Gravesend 22. On winning the ball, quick passing sent the ball to Ryan but, in the open and with the line at his mercy, he knocked on and the chance was gone.

Maidstone was punished for this error when Gravesend went back down the pitch and, after a scrum in the Maidstone 22, moved the ball to the right for winger Nolan to cross the line. Once again the conversion hit the upright to limit the margin to fifteen points.

The difference between the sides at this point was one of energy. While Gravesend had plenty of it, Maidstone was lacking, which meant they could not subdue the opposition, let alone dominate them. Gravesend added a further try, this time converted, before half time but, by then, Maidstone had wasted two more golden chances to cut the deficit.

While the home side generated more opportunities in the half, and deserved to be ahead, the Stones could have put them under pressure by taking any of the chances on offer.

To start the second half, Fin Davis replaced Nick East at hooker and Duncan McClintock came on for Glover on the right wing. The impact of these changes was not initially felt, as Gravesend went further ahead after five minutes when centre, Saunders, outran the defence to glide into the corner.

Maidstone hit back shortly thereafter. From a scrum on the Gravesend ten-metre line, the ball was moved swiftly to McClintock who had a simple run-in from the 22. And this is how the score stayed for the next quarter of the match, as Maidstone applied themselves to the task.

Striving for continuity and integration, the Stones put together a passage of play that hinted at possibilities but this ended when Gravesend’s fly half, Gray, intercepted on the half way line and cantered over under the posts. And with this score went Maidstone’s last hopes of challenge. A failure to deal with a simple chip into the Maidstone 22, five minutes later, compounded the position and allowed Gravesend to gild their golden afternoon with another simple, converted try.

In summary, Maidstone, once again failed to deliver a satisfactory, 80-minute, challenge and, while the lack of physicality in the side may be a weakness, this does not explain the lack of aggression and demon that can counter sheer size. Too many simple errors gave this game to the opposition and these must be eliminated before the Stones can hope to compete effectively again at this level.

Team

Sam Bailey; Nick East (Fin Davis 40 mins); Steve Coates (Martin Maytum 63 mins): Andy Bacon; Steve Matthews: Sam Johnston; Tom Castle; Nick Sargent: Ed Laurent; Piers Frances: James Sullivan; Tom Searles; Mark Ryan; Richard Glover (Duncan McClintock 40 mins): Martin Arnold