Mustangs vs Old Dunstonians – Sat 7th March 2009

At times on Saturday, the Mustangs produced some excellent rugby to score 36 unanswered points against an opposition which has struggled this season.

The team was keen to make up for the disappointment of the previous week’s loss at Old Elthamians and got off to a perfect start to score within 3 minutes. A break which began on half way and went through several pairs of hands, with forwards and backs exchanging passes eventually saw the ball moved to skipper Nick East, where unfortunately he was the one to finish off the move and open his try scoring account for the season. Mike Laurenson added the extras.

However, the fantastic start led to the team trying to play too expansively far too early on and the teams shape went out the window, as passes which weren’t on were attempted and ball retention was forgotten. The team spurned numerous opportunities to increase the score. Eventually the team got things right and from a quick lineout (and this one was not a Chunky special), the team moved the ball quickly down the right touch line, again forwards and backs linking well and eventually, and even more unfortunately, Jim Walker received the ball to run in and score his first try since the days when he almost had a full head of hair.

Half time arrived with the score 12-0 to the home side.

In the second half, the Mustangs dominated proceedings. Kenton Parbutt scored his first try for the Mustangs, being on the end of some fine passing to beat the defence on the left hand side of the pitch. Ian Lee scored an excellent try from a scrum in the middle of the pitch, just on the OD’s 22. Horse picked up from the base of the scrum and sprinted left on an arcing run which saw him easily beat the defence and touch down under the posts, giving Mikey an easy conversion. A further try followed soon after from James Ferris, who used his lack of height to duck under the defence to score wide on the right and the final try of the afternoon was scored by winger Andy Cairns following an excellent backs move started on half way, which involved Chunky telling the whole of Maidstone he wanted the ball, which worked as an excellent decoy move. The ball was shipped right to winger John Francis, who went on an excellent run before passing to his wing counter-part Cairnsy, who had an easy run in to score. Mikey converted the try and the ref blew the final whistle.

This was an excellent performance from the team, however they should in all honesty put 50 points on OD’s, as the team created some great opportunities which were wasted, though sometimes some forward passes given were a little harsh.

The dominance in this game was set up by the forwards, with Ian Lee reigning supreme in the lineout, stealing most of OD’s lineouts. Despite a terrible opening effort, the scrum dominated their opposition. It was a pleasure to give a debut to 46 year old Mac, thus becoming the 82nd person to wear the Mustangs shirt this season. His contributions in the rucks and mauls, as well as in the scrum were an asset all afternoon. The rest of the front row were also good around the park, and with Jim and SC in the side it almost gives the team 2 more back row players, though sometimes Jim does get confused and thinks he’s a centre.

The 2nd row partnership of Sack and Charlie Simpson worked well, Sack in particular showing what a difficult man he is to stop with ball in hand.

The back row were exceptional, with Luke Day, Tom Moon and Ian Lee being quicker to everything than the opposition. Ian in particular is becoming a good Number 8, with a great ability to make good ground picking up from the base of the scrum.

It was great to see the backs play with some fluency again, with Ferret and Mikey orchestrating things, and the likes of Kenton Parbutt and Chunky in the centres making numerous good runs.

The back three had more opportunity than usual to run with the ball, which all did to great effect, especially George Coomber, who got the chance to show what the 4th team skipper has been praising him for all year. From the subs, John Francis showed once more what a competent player he is and coach Fin Davis had a run out once Mr East came off for a blood injury.

Overall a good team performance, but one which can be improved upon and will need to be over the next 2 weeks, with very tough games against Dover and Gravesend coming up.

Man of the Match this week – very difficult to decide as everyone played well, so this week there will be two – Mike Laurenson for his overall control of the game and getting the backs going and Ian Lee for his dynamic performance in the line out and from the base of the scrum.

Div of the Day – very difficult to award as nobody, not even Chunky this week, did anything ridiculously stupid. However, the award has gone to Fin Davis, whose first involvement on entering the field of play was to give away a penalty. A coach really should know that discipline is everything.

Scorers:-

Tries – East, Walker, Parbutt, Lee, Ferris, Cairns

Conversions – Lauresnon x 3

Team:-

J Walker, N East, J McIntyre, R Coles, C Simpson, T Moon, L Day, I Lee, J Ferris, M Laurenson, A Carins, K Parbutt, D McClintock, G Dyke, G Coomber, F Davis, J Francis

Coach – F Davis

Physio – C Grundy

Manager – L Waters