Match Report

Maidstone 3 v Gravesend 25        

by Trevor Langley

London League 2 South

Home at The Mote, Saturday 14th February, 2009, Kick Off –2.30pm

Maidstone lost this game to local rivals, Gravesend, 3-25, but competed fiercely throughout, ultimately succumbing up-front to a stronger pack that had the passing skills to control the game for long periods. Add in the fact that the rugby was open and aggressive but played on a heavy, cloying pitch that sucked at every step, and this gives an indication of the commitment of both sides on the day.

Jack Lamb, restored to the team at open side in the continuing absence of Nick Sargent with a knee problem, demonstrated this commitment in spades. Making light of the muddy surface, he continually harassed the Gravesend outside half and tackled as if his life depended on it.

But this was not a game where anyone could hide defensively, as the visitors demonstrated why they occupied fourth position in the league from the outset. Strong defence was the minimum Maidstone had to show from the off and this they did admirably.

Gravesend quickly showed the slick inter-passing game that has become their leitmotif and, with astute use of the kick into space, elected to dominate territory and play the game in Maidstone’s half as much as possible. With Maidstone’s defence stretched, a penalty for offside resulted and, from the subsequent lineout position in the home side’s 22, the ball was fed to fly half Gray, who picked out flanker Stevens, running a good line, to slice through the Maidstone backs to score near the posts. With Gray adding the conversion, Gravesend posted a 7-0 lead after ten minutes.

This early reverse stimulated a spirited reply from the home side but the physical disparity in the packs never allowed Maidstone to dominate. Line out ball proved exceptionally difficult to control and, while the scrum yielded more ball, it was under pressure throughout.

Maidstone was next on the scoreboard with Whitehead converting a penalty when Gravesend were guilty of holding on to the ball after a tackle in their 22. But, as is often the case, from the restart, Maidstone conceded two quick penalties and, from the second, Gray re-established Gravesend’s seven point lead.

The decisive play of the half came on 35 minutes, when Gravesend won the ball on their own ten-metre line after a break by Tommy King had been halted. The chip ahead was not dealt with by Maidstone and Gravesend’s centre, Rocket, regained the ball and with commendable inter-passing with his wing partner, outwitted the Maidstone cover to score in the corner to stretch the lead to 15-3 at the break.

With Maidstone playing down the slope in the second period, there was all to play for. But Gravesend were not to be denied as they upped the intensity of their play and established themselves in Maidstone territory from the off.

Even losing open-side flanker Clement, for punching, for a ten minute spell, did not sufficiently disturb the visitors although it did give Maidstone parity in the tight. With a full complement restored, Gravesend began a spell of pressure on the Maidstone line and with moves flowing both ways, Maidstone’s defence was ultimately breached out wide and Gravesend added to their lead.

The final nail in Maidstone’s coffin happened with the last play of the game, when right wing Nolan was fed the ball on his own ten-metre line and, against a tiring Maidstone defence, ran through two tackles to score in the corner.

Gravesend demonstrated in this game the extra dimension that Maidstone must find if they are to compete with the best sides in this league once more. This was a decent performance against a team that dominated them in the earlier encounter at Gravesend, but without parity in the tight and the lineout, the odds were stacked too heavily against the Stones to allow them to control the game’s tempo and field position.

Team

Sam Bailey; Sam Rogers; Mark Thurgood (Luke Debnam 45 mins): Andy Bacon (Chris Wallis 60 Mins); Steve Matthews: Matt Iles; Jack Lamb; Ben Court: Sam McPherson; Tommy King; Mark Ryan (Gareth Hill 40 mins) Neil Graves; Martin Arnold: James Sullivan: Craig Whitehead