Maidstone 3rd XV 28
Old Dunstonions 2nd XV 12
Following last years league success, the new challenge was Invicta league 2, and with the evergreen team not getting any younger we knew it would be a test. With the retirement of the legendary Ross Laing and Phil Davies there was room to blood some youngsters, so Dominic Baxter and Chris Peddar stepped manfully into the breach.
With little pre season training and the traffic on the south circular flowing at the same speed as team manager Roger bringing on the water bottles, preparation for the game was limited to say the least. However, we have had shorter warm ups and won so it did not knock our confidence. We kicked off whilst introducing newcomers to their team mates and running through the complicated line out calls, and quickly established dominance over an even less organised XV. Control at the scrum and speed to the beak down saw Maidstone secure plenty of quality ball and following a flowing handling move Chris Peddar opened the scoring with a well finished try. Continued good possession from the forwards in loose play and from driving mauls allowed the backs plenty of space and time. With scrum half Luke Powis supplying quick ball, and Dominic Baxter running moves at fly half, further tries were inevitable, and Alan McCabe and Dai Price went over to establish a comfortable 17 -0 lead with a Darren Banfield conversion.
Dunstonions were not a total pushover, and when given space did pose a threat. Missed tackles saw them break out and pressurise the Maidstone 5 metre line. Persistent drives took them over the try line to get back in the match. Maidstone then had probably their most dominant phase. Strong drives from the front row of Mac, Hill and Plowman created havoc in the Dunstonion defence but errors, wrong options and good defence limited Maidstone to 2 penalties in front of the posts, converted by Banfield, to lead 23-5 at half time.
The second half was a little more even with Maidstone solid in defence, and always threatening to break through a somewhat scrambling and disorganised opposition. Eventually, quick ball down the line saw full back Price bundle over for his second try to pretty much wrap up the game.
Dunstonions did score a consolation, but were never really in the match. Still plenty of things for Maidstone to build on but a good win and solid performance. It was nice to add some youth to the old heads, and 17 year old Karl Smissen brought an energy and enthusiasm and a deal of skill and vision to the back row. Jacques was his bull dozing self and Tom Challis secured ball after ball in the second half to show that experience counts as well. Locks Fish and Wrighty both had solid performances, which auger well for the season, and Jez major showed that size counts for little and heart matters most. Reluctant substitutes Gray and Thurgood both made telling contributions from the bench, to seal a very satisfying opener.
Man of match. Mac – great scrummaging, superb driving in the loose, and fantastic for team morale. Shame about the pants!
