Maidstone Vets 8
Tonbridge Judds VI 10
Moment of madness part II…following in the footsteps of Richard Weston who gifted earlier opposition a breakaway try from a quick throw in from touch, former skipper Glyn Richards handed TJ’s their 8-10 victory on Saturday. With the referee calling “last play” (that for some reason Dave Hughes elected to kick ahead) TJ’s fumbled 5 yards from their line immediately in front of their posts. Inexplicably the referee awarded the Vets a penalty and with many shouts of “No”, Glyn decided it best to take a quick tap rather than hand the ball to Coomber to slot what should have been a formality of a kick to win the game. So, from man-of-the- match last week to…?
With a winless sequence of results now stretching back to Christmas, albeit against younger and fitter opposition, a win against TJ’s would have been reward for a match dominated by the Vets, both in terms of possession and territory. However, ill-discipline, poor execution with many basic errors and resolute defence from the visitors, combined to deny the home side. The Vets started the game well with a Pete Gray try within the first ten minutes although constant infringing by both backs and forwards at the breakdown/tackle area allowed TJ’s to advance up field until in kickable penalty range. The kick was duly converted and the sides turned around at half time with the home side 5-3 up.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first with may avoidable penalties being conceded by the Vets allowing TJ’s, to clear their lines. Mid way through the half TJ’s were awarded a penalty at approximately half way that was duly advanced 10m following dissent. From this position TJ’s were allowed to go quickly and worked space for a breakaway try that was subsequently converted. With Coomber converting a sort range penalty the sides went into the final 10 minutes 8-10. For much of the game the Vets maul was dominant and with minutes remaining TJ’s desperately defended one such driven maul by attempted collapsing, entering from the side and other offences. The referee, rather than award a penalty advantage as the Vets continued to move forward, stopped play and the resultant quick tap penalty was eventually defended then cleared by TJ’s.
Then to the last play and Glyn’s trip to the “naughty step”. A case of so near, yet so far.
