Maidstone 3rd XV 32
Bromley 2nd XV 16
A game that should have been reasonably comfortable turned out to be a good challenge, but ultimately a satisfying result. A frosty pitch and a low sun meant tricky conditions, and Bromley were first into their stride. Elusive back play, and good running from the full back saw Bromley make inroads into the Maidstone 22 and a race to touch down under the posts. Maidstone secured the drop out, but a man in front of the kicker saw a penalty for off side ( think it should have been kick or scrum) and Bromley nailed the first 3 points.
Maidstone’s response was immediate, and a scrum 8 yards out saw a powerful drive led by front row Laing, Jackson and Plowman, saw scrum half Sean Charlton secure the touch down. Minutes later some good driving play by the forwards took play to within 5 metres of the Bromley line, and quick ball allowed Jacques to bulldoze over for his first of two tries. Jacques seems to have learned to let his rugby do the talking and is a much better player for it.
With forward dominance and the backs defending well, Maidstone thought the game was going to be easily won, but Bromley had other ideas. A penalty from close range hit the post, was knocked on and then played by a player in an off side position. The referee, who had recovered from the drop out, awarded a penalty and a quick tap and hands allowed Bromley to go over and then add the 2 to tie the game. Slack defending and lack of awareness had let Maidstone down badly.
Stern words at half time, plus the advantage of slope and sun, galvanised Maidstone. From the kick off, a catch and set led to a series of devastating driving mauls, marshalled by Plowman, bringing Maidstone to the Bromley line and the Bok Bull came up with his second try. The battle plan had been established and Maidstone forwards took control of ruck, maul and scrum to continually drive Bromley back. Further drives saw Charlton snipe over for his second.
Bromley refused to lie down and despite a couple of knock on’s ,their number 8 drove over to bring them back into the game. Martin Arnold got in on the act by skipping past a number of defenders to touch down under the posts and the conversion gave Maidstone breathing space.
Some slick running in the backs and good recycling saw Maidstone narrowly miss a number of opportunities, but finally good running, support and good handling set Eugene up in the corner to seal the match. Bromley battled to the end, with Charlton making a try saving tackle on the line, and frantic defending in added time following some dreadful touch kicking, but the game was won.
Plenty of fine performances, but Man of match was between Sean and Matt, and Sean gets the nod for his commitment, energy, determination and nouse, plus a lovely split lip. Well played men, it was great to be back on the field.
