Hastings and Bexhill III 16
Maidstone Barbarians 5
The Mighty Maidstone Barbarians welcomed the only other (legitimately) undefeated side to the Mote Cricket ground this week for this season's clash of the titans.
Before long the play of the game was recognized, Maidstone were moving the ball swiftly utilizing their pace and handling skills to attack, H&B were using their almighty pack weight to munch their way up to our line.
It was the visitors who scored first thanks to a penalty outside our 22, a well placed kick opened the scoring 3-0 after a grueling attack in which Maidstone had successfully held the largest of the large off our try line.
The kick off gave the visitors more possession in our half in the form of a scrum. The scrums were an agonizing feat in this game, our small pack weight really struggling to compete it was our back row that redeemed itself as their No.8 continously picked and ran into the waiting flankers.
More grueling scrums were dominated by H&B, with every put in they drove us off the ball, regardless of the outstanding efforts of hooker Alex Craven.
H&B attempting set plays off the scrum were foiled time and time again by Maidstone's faster, more experienced back row, their inside centre continuously making attacking lines to be blocked and forced into a dummy heading the wrong way on the pitch giving us an overlap.
With thanks to the overlap & Lance Lewis clattering into his opposite number we were able to unleash Rob Leedham with an astonishing half pitch run into their 22.
Unfortunately the big defenders grounded Leedham, a large H&B 2nd row enter the equation which saw me, attempting to secure the ball, tumble to the ground unconscious momentarily.
All was not in vain, the following scrum was secured with a pick up by No.8 Barney C who made incredible amounts of ground. With a back line set to the left, the flankers running to the right an arrow head formation had formed and was moving at pace. It was 8 on 5 and with some swift movement between the two lines Maff Newman was able to stroll under the posts, the conversion was deflected off the bar however bringing the score to 5-3.
More pressure on the H&B lines came from Gary Griffiths & Rob Leedham on the wings, Mike Gillies slashing his way forward, Quinn and Powell made a strong attempt to crash into the 22 and Ben Foskett was also seen making his usual catch and break.
Half time saw one change in the backs, Brian Costello on for Rob Leedham. The half time focused on what we were doing right and focused how we need to keep it out of those mauls.
Unfortunately the 2nd half was a scrum fest and one where we were struggling in. Each time we were driven back, with every bit of ground made, the scrum or maul drove us back.
Our forwards tiring, H&B pressuring our 22, continued drives saw us defending ever closer to our try line when a god send of a pass was made, it was appalling and got us back in the game. Thanks to the pressure on their scrum half, Ben Powell dived onto and secured the lose ball which started our counter attack, this came at a cost however as Powell was discovered clutching his neck at the bottom of the ruck.
Replaced by Steve Jones on the flank, Costello at fullback, Scott Andrews came onto the wing and Quinny moved to blind side flank.
H&B picked and ran blind hoping that a disorientated fullback would be in wait, instead they met a regular flanker who lifted and drove the No.8 backwards earning turn over ball and ground.
Maidstone now applied the pressure, Maff Newman coming so close to scoring but pushed into touch over the try line. Then usual play recommenced and we were pushed back into our half.
With the play see-sawing the ball soon found its way to Barney C. The colossal No.8 smashed his way through everyone, his opposite number lined up, hunkering low, Barney charged like a rampaging bull at his victim. The collision was mind numbing. With the spill of a gum shield the opposition No.8 fell backwards to be found later sprawled across the floor unconscious.
Barney C was unchallenged in front of the try line but did the honorable thing of stopping play for his fallen opponent.
Their No.8 was pretty much taken out of the game, he played on but was noticeably less involved in the contact side of things. H&B now utilized their subs and refreshed their backs, this spelt disaster for us as their fullback was often seen attacking and beating our left winger, no less than 5 times did I bring this guy down or drive him off the pitch two of which truly were try saving tackles.
Our defense in the backs was weakening but their attacks were predictable, their full back was continously stopped at this time.
Driven back against our lines they set up a ruck and were slow to release, the large 2nd row set himself up to receive. He charged at our lines, I broke off and threw myself into his legs in attempt to drive him back but he didn't so much as slow an inch so I clung onto his legs. Trevor Bradley proved to be an immovable object and our combined efforts finally brought collapsed the big brute leaving his outstretched hand just inches away from the try line. The ball collected by Matt Ellesmere was kicked to safety.
We had successfully defended the single biggest attack on our lines but our forwards were tired and that hit had taken its toll shortly after H&B scored a 2nd penalty bringing the score to 5-6.
The kick off marked the last 5 minutes of play, our last attack, we spread it wide across our backs but somehow their fullback collected the ball between our wing and outside center to score in the far corner. The score now 11-5 to them.
Horrendously the exact same play occurred again but on the other side of the pitch.
With this the game came to an end, the score 16-5, just out of reach of a losing bonus point.
Regardless of the loss, we played brilliantly and could have won. With regards to ball handling, tackling and securing lose ball our skills were superior, unfortunately this time it wasn't enough.
Point Scorers
Maff Newman 5
Man Of The Match
A number of contenders this time, Gillies and Barney for their usual outstanding performances, Maff Newman for scoring, Rob Leedham for his incredible offensive efforts on the wing and Steve Quinn for his tireless defensive efforts.
This weeks man of the match however goes to:
Gary Griffiths for his flawless game. Missing not one single tackle and creating multiple scoring attempts.
