Beckenham 3rds 6
Maidstone 3rds 8
A sixty eight point deficit was turned on its head by a determined and gritty performance. It was not pretty, and at times the referee struggled to maintain discipline, but Maidstone battled to another away win and show that they can beat any team in the league.
Some late drop outs saw Phil Shaw-Brown and Nathan Fitzpatrick step into the breach and make important contributions to the team performance. Early threats from the young Beckenham team did not bode well, but the storm was weathered and the first time Maidstone attacked they scored. A Beckenham line out 5m out was robbed by Maidstone and the ensuing drive saw Mac come up with the touchdown. Maidstone missed a penalty but they did keep Beckenham at bay, repelling countless attacks and making crucial try saving tackles on the line, Ross, Mac, Tom and others amongst the heroics. The difference between the last game and this was that the backs, through Hogy, Dom, Eugene, Stuey and Dave Ruaux, got into the faces of their opposite numbers , pressurising mistakes and stifling every threat with some awesome tackling .Half time 5-0.
The second half was as messy as the first, but Becks kicked an early penalty to give Maidstone something to think about. A couple of surges from Fishy almost threatened to end in a score but the fit, young Beckenham team were no pushover. A further penalty for a ruck infringement took them into the lead and question all the hard work that Maidstone had done. However, Maidstone pressure on the Becks line gave a penalty opportunity in front of the posts, which Ian Howson cooly slotted to regain the lead.
The last 5 minutes were a battle of attrition, with Maidstone keeping the ball tight and Becks trying to move it into space. A penalty to Becks wide out in the last minute gave them a chance to snatch the win. The kick was short but bounced almost into a Beckenham chaser’s hand before Mac grabbed it set up the ruck, for Hogy to kick out and seal a deserved win.
Well played all 16. A tough battle, against lads young enough to be Ross’s grandchildren ( for all we know a couple of them could have been just that!). Roll on the Evergreen cup where we can play blokes our age and speed!
