Match Report
Mustangs vs Sidcup II – Sat 3rd October 2009
Lost 53-7
At the start of the week, things looked positive for the Mustangs to continue to build on the positive performance the week before. By Friday night, there had been 3 call ups to the 1st team and 4 further drop outs due to injury. Added to unavailability from the previous week, this meant a totally changed back line from the one that had performed so well the week before.
Playing up the slope and into a fierce wind, the Mustangs struggled to get out of their own half as the Sidcup fly half used the wind intelligently to keep Maidstone penned in their own 22. It was from such a kick that Sidcup stole the Maidstone lineout and drove over the line to score the opening try of the afternoon.
Maidstone lost Richard Coles to a head injury within 10 minutes, meaning Tom McMulkin stepping up to flanker from full back.
Maidstone did start to pick and drive well, and caused the home team some problems – though most of Sidcup’s problems came from ill-discipline at the break down, where they were penalised all afternoon.
Sidcup soon began to realise that the Maidstone back’s were disorganised when it came to defence and looked to run the ball, moving the ball wide and creating numerous overlaps. Maidstone’s failure to press up as a defensive line meant Sidcup had much more time and space than they should have been given and made Maidstone pay dearly. Sidcup showed some good passing and off loading skills and kept the ball alive exceptionally well. Sidcup showed the value of playing as a unit, people working hard off the ball to support. Maidstone were unable to cope with this and stormed into a 29-0 half time lead.
With the elements now in their favour, Maidstone were hoping to restore some sort of parity, however Sidcup effectively killed the game off scoring within 5 minutes of the restart.
Maidstone did finally put some pressure on Sidcup and Martin Arnold showed quick feet to score under the posts from 10 metres out, but that was as good as it got. Maidstone’s defence fell apart and Sidcup didn’t let up and eventually won 53-7, even managing to score a great try with 2 men in the sin bin.
Overall another disappointing day for the Mustangs.
Man of the Match – Ed Pritchard, who put in a solid performance all round, and never stopped giving 100%.
Div of the Day – Sack
Team:-
Walker, East, Pritchard, Wainhouse, Wright, Coles, Rookledge, Lee, Tugwell, Arnold, Sullivan, Glover, Ruaux, Leggatt, McMulkin, G Coomber
