Maidstone 3rd XV 27 Aylesford 2nd XV 18
Aylesford were out for revenge in this derby match, after Maidstone had destroyed them in the away fixture, and they got off to a flyer when a speculative kick bounced straight into their wingers hands for him to touch down under the posts for a seven pointer. They quickly added to this with a penalty for a ten nil lead, with Maidstone hardly touching the ball.
Things looked ominous especially as the normally rock solid maidstone scrum was struggling to win their own ball. Hooker, Keith had stepped in at late notice but had not played rugby for over 10 years so was understandably rusty. However, he more than made up for this with some robust ball carrying and useful line out throwing. Maidstone did start to get some ball and make inroads into Aylesford territory. Some big hits on Eugene in the centre, meant the defence was holding firm, but the Maidstone forwards were starting to dominate the loose and create some effective driving mauls. From one of these close to the try line the ball came wide to John Hogarth, who dummy scissored with his centre and seared through the gap to score untouched under the posts. His conversion and a penalty shortly after tied the game up at 10all at half time.
Maidstone knew they had to sort out scrum and line out, as well as being a little more creative out wide. A comedy of errors at the kick off almost led to an Aylesford score, but maidstone threatened on the left hand side on numerous occasions, through Howson, Price and Moore. One of these incursions led to a line out close in and Chris Francis, guest thrower in was starting to hit his jumpers. A catch and drive by the Maidstone eight proved unstoppable and Francis came up with the touchdown. Hogarth slotted the two and Maidstone began to think that they could win the game . Aylesford had other ideas, nicking a penalty to narrow the gap. Then with Maidstone pressing for another score, their fly half ran the ball from his own 22, broke a tackle and was away. A desparing tap tackle by Howson brought him down just short of the try line but he popped to a support player and suddenly maidstone triled 18-17. With the introduction of Mac into the pack, Maidstone's pick and drive was proving very effective at gaining ground and releasing quick ball. It was from one such move down the right that the ball was spun wide and Eugene barged over to appease some of his earlier setbacks.
The final nail in Aylesford's coffin was a line out on the 22m. Again Francis hit his jumper and the forwards drove the ball with control and power for a very satisfying score claimed by Plowman and Vrey, but really a magnificent team effort. The game was marred by a sending off of an Aylesford forward for punching Eugene right in front of the referee.( poor old Eugene did take a battering).
Another very satisfying win, fully deserved, and now Beckenham beckons, where revenge will be sought for the embarrassing result last time. Well played all. Man of match. Matt Plowman-only played half a game (again) but instrumental in controlling the powerful driving mauls which ultimately destroyed Aylesford. Hoping that he might manage 80 minutes some time this season by either turning up on time or staying on field and not having a 10 minute breather while the rest of us have to graft!
