Beckenham vs Mustangs – 24th January 2009

In what was always going to be a hard game, the Mustangs came off second best in a low scoring encounter against 3rd placed Beckenham.

The Mustangs got off to a terrible start. The opening kick off was knocked on by Maidstone and from the next phase of play, returning skipper Nick East was penalised for an accidental trip. Having received a stern talking to by the referee, Mr East then proceeded to be penalised for a spear tackle and earned himself a yellow card, with only 4 minutes on the clock (though 2 minutes of this involved him getting told off by the ref).

So Maidstone had put themselves under pressure from the off, and with Beckenham looking to use their bulky centre partnership at every opportunity, pressed deep into the Maidstone 22, whereby the Mustangs gave away a kickable penalty, and were soon 3-0 down, which moments later became 6-0, following more Mustangs ill-discipline.

Maidstone then looked to gain some momentum, and with some excellent territory kicking from Dave Charlton, the team managed to gain some territory and eventually the home side gave away a penalty which Dave Charlton kicked to bring the deficit back to 3 points. Both sides were continually frustrated by some erratic refereeing decisions, which meant the half had no real flow or structure to the game.

Beckenham looked likely to make inroads into the Mustangs defence via the backs, and so it proved, and the converted try took the score to 13-3, which is how the half ended.

With some stern words by Coach Neaves at half time, the Mustangs played with more aggression and belief in the 2nd half but were still unable to make significant inroads into the Beckenham defence. Again ill-discipline combined with random referring decisions, didn’t help the Mustangs cause, however the team had enough ball to have scored. Tom Harvey went agonisingly close, having darted 30 metres along the right wing before being tackled and held up. Dave Charlton rolled back the years, with one chip and chase from well inside the Maidstone 22, which he regathered and ran 50 metres up field before electing to pass. Unfortunately the move broke down, and was another chance wasted. The Mustangs did have one period of constant pressure on the Beckenham line, with firstly he scrum looking as if it would power over the line, then constant attempts by the forwards the barge over, however impatience cost the team and they conceded possession.

A second yellow card for the Mustangs did the cause no favours, Jim Walker having an enforced rest for a 2nd high tackle. How someone who is only 4 foot 8 inches tall manages to commit a high tackle is beyond me. Beckenham used this to their advantage, but resolute Maidstone defence just about kept them at bay. So with no further scores, the game finished 13-3 to Beckenham, who were deserving of their victory.

For the second week running, the number of needless and stupid penalties conceded by the Mustangs in the opening 20 minutes proved costly, and ultimately the team played for 20 minutes of the match with only 14 men. This must be improved upon going forward, or the team will constantly be on the back foot, and having to play catch up rugby.

However, overall it was spirited performance by the team, the 2nd half in particular, and once again disruption to the selected team, with 4 changes happening from Thursday onward, did nothing but hinder the cohesiveness as once again it took time for the team to gel.

The stand out performances came from Sam Bailey, who is learning what a prop should be doing in the loose, as well as some good scrummaging from him. It was good to have Dave Charlton  back involved in the 2’s again, having spent some time in the 3’s in between photo shoots for Newnham Court Shopping Village , and he certainly didn’t look out of place despite not playing in the Mustangs for nearly a year. However the Man of the Match this week goes to Tom Moon, who once again was excellent on the flank, the highlight of Moony’s performance being a bustling run along the right wing, ball under one arm, would-be tackler carried over his shoulder.

Div of the Day – Nick East, whose long awaited return to the Mustangs could have in all honesty gone better, having to come off after 60 mins with what is a suspected broken hand, though 10 minutes were spent in the bin. Thanks for coming SC.

Finally, a big “well done” from the Mustangs to the 1st XV, who managed their first league win of the season. It was especially pleasing to hear that Tommy King had such a good game at fly half, as he has been immense for the Mustangs in this position, at times totally embarrassing the opposition, and his opportunity is more than deserved and possibly overdue. Long may the results continue.

Team:-

Bailey, East, J Walker, Wallis, Coles, Moon, B Walker, Lee, Ferris, D Charlton, Cairns, Parbutt, Dyke, Harvey, Faulkner, P Glover, Rookledge, Houlihan

Coaches – S Neaves, G Whitehead

Physio – A Rooke

Manager – L Waters