Maidstone Vets 12
Canterbury IV 27
Following last weeks disappointing showing at Tunbridge Wells the Vets accepted another stern challenge by travelling away to Canterbury to take on the home club's 4th XV and despite many obstacles being stacked up against the Vets, not least odd interpretations of the laws, they were able to leave the field with heads held high, although having suffered a 27-12 loss. The majority of the scoring was within the first half with the Vets often becoming "dog legged" in defence allowing the Canterbury backs free reign and with the away team backs regularly falling off tackles Canterbury took most of the opportunities gifted to them. The Vets were not without their own scores in the first half with, first, Bob Purfitt touching down from close range following good work by the forwards and, second, Richard Weston benefiting from Purfitt spoiling work, again from close range. Fly half added the extras to the second try. The second half was a different story with the away defence tightened leaving Canterbury to resort to kick and chase tactics. The Vets reverted to a more traditional pick and drive game plan and were unlucky to have a MacKay "try" disallowed with the referee judging him to held up. The much younger and fitter Canterbury side certainly knew they had been in a match and had Maidstone had a greater "rub of the green the score would have been much closer. If next weeks fixture remains as carded the Vets will renew acquaintances with Canterbury, taking on the 5ths and should they take their positive play into that match then a reversal of the early season loss might be achieved.
