Beckenham II’s vs Mustangs – 27th October 2007

The Mustangs headed to Beckenham last Saturday to take on the unbeaten league leaders. Maidstone couldn’t have wished to have got off to a better start. After Laurenson’s early penalty gave the Mustangs the lead, a clearance kick by Maidstone from well inside their own half just after the restart sent the ball toward the Beckenham 22. Gavin Dyke chased the kick and when the ball took a wicked bounce over the wingers head and was collected by Dyke, who headed for the line, drew the full back and passed inside to the supporting Nick Sargent who had the easy job of touching down. Laurenson added the extras and the Mustangs were up 10 – 0 after 5 minutes.

However the usual “switching off” occurred and some needless penalties were given away, which presented easy kicking opportunities for the Beckenham fly half, who kicked goals all afternoon with ease. The score was now 6-10 to Maidstone. The main positive point up to this point had been the strength of the Maidstone scrum and the front row of Bailey, East and Thurgood had a field day against their opposite men.

Maidstone responded well to conceding quick points and worked their way into the opposition 22. A Maidstone line out led to a maul being set up, which after several changes of direction finally led to the pack driving over the try line. Unfortunately it was Lurch (Nigel Maddaford) who came up clutching the ball, but with Laurenson converting, the score was now 6-17 to the Mustangs.

Once again, the Mustangs switched off and allowed Beckenham to control the ball and keep Maidstone pinned in their own 22. The constant pressure eventually told, and Beckenham came away with a drop goal and another kicked penalty in quick succession. The half ended 12-17 to Maidstone.

Following a very stern talking to from coach Shaun Neaves during the interval (in fact he would have given Garrett Hines a run for his money in expletives used per sentence) the Mustangs began the 2nd half fairly well, putting good pressure on the home side. However a costly mistake was soon to be made, as a long clearance kick from the home side, which looked at one point as if is would go dead in goal, held up just inside the field of play, meaning Maidstone could only kick the ball over the sideline. The Mustangs went to sleep and failed to set themselves properly for the 5 metre lineout. This saw Beckenham’s well functioning lineout win clean ball and drive over the line to score. The try was converted and Maidstone now trailed 19-17. Soon after, a well worked backs move, which saw Dane Smith telling someone else “Your Man!” as the centre ran past him, led to a well taken try in the corner which again was converted by the young Beckenham fly half.

The frustration would have led to any skipper tearing his hair out –but seeing as SC is already losing his, this wasn’t an option. Instead, whilst his troops were gathered behind the posts while the conversion was being lined up, he produced a rousing speech to wake up his slumbering side. The response he was looking for began to take place and the Mustangs began to change the momentum back in their favour. The scrum was in total dominance, and a Maidstone put-in on the Beckenham 5 metre line led to Number 8 Nick Sargent being able to pick up and dive over the line. The conversion was kicked by Laurenson to make the score 29 – 24 to Beckenham. Before the conversion was taken, one of the Beckenham forwards opted to advise the referee on where he thought the ref was going wrong, and found himself having a 10 minute rest on the sidelines. With a numerical disadvantage, Beckenham came very close to scoring a try which would have killed the game, however some superb scrambling defence from Maidstone following a high ball in their own 22, and an excellent defensive scrum on their own 5 metre line, which was turned over and cleared from danger, the Mustangs escaped without conceding any sort of score.

Maidstone now began to put some good fazes of play together, with Sam Bailey and John O’Brien carrying the ball well up front and Dane Smith now beginning to make breaks in the midfield which allowed the likes of Jamie Smith and Chris Leggat to run in space. However, for all their much improved play, the game was nearing full time. Maidstone were awarded a penalty 30 metres out from Beckenham’s line. Time would not allow a kick to touch, so the Mustangs had no option but to run the ball and begin a final onslaught on the Beckenham line. It was now the home side’s turn to give penalties away, in part due to the pressure Maidstone put on them. The Mustangs showed good composure and supported well enabling them to keep recycling the ball as they edged closer and closer toward the line. From 10 metres out, the ball was in the hands of Josh Pankhurst, who spotted a gap and went for the line. Beckenham could only half tackle Pankhurst and he somehow managed to wriggle over to score under the posts and tie the game. Laurenson slotted the conversion to win the game 29-31. This was a fantastic result for Maidstone, as Beckenham had beaten the Mustangs twice last season.

Maidstone played 25 minutes of very good rugby, but for the rest of the game were fairly average. At 17-6 ahead, the Mustangs should never have allowed Beckenham back into the game – however Beckenham were not leading the league for no good reason and they showed why they were top. But Maidstone’s own errors and ill-discipline probably cost the Mustangs 15 points.

Whilst Dane Smith’s “Your Man” effort was a strong contender for Div of the Day, the award has been given to the whole team for landing themselves in a massive hole – and in a similar vein, Man of the Match this week goes to all 17 men who managed to find and play their “Get out of Jail Free” card. Special mentions must be made of Mark Thurgood, who was awesome in the scrum despite suffering from “Man-flu” and Sam Bailey, who complimented his scrummaging with some excellent ball carrying. Nick Sargent also should be commended for playing most of the game with a nose bleed – though it probably helped that he managed to get on the scoresheet twice.

Next week the Mustangs are at home to Sidcup – 2.30pm Kick Off.

Team:-

Bailey, East, Thurgood, Maddaford, Lee, O’Brien, Lamb, Sargent, Ferris, Catt, Leggat, Dane Smith, Jamie Smith, Gavin Dyke, Mike Laurenson, Josh Pankhurst, Nick Coles

Coach: Shaun Neaves

Manager: Laurence Waters

Physio: Catherine Grundy

Scorers:-

Tries – Sargent x2, Maddaford, Pankhurst

Conversions – Laurenson

Penalties - Laurenson