Old Dartfordians Vets 22 – 10 Maidstone Vets

After beginning the season with a victory against Folkestone Fossils, Maidstone Vets travelled to Old Dartfordian’s looking to consolidate on their good work in the previous match, however it was not to be as Dartordian’s Vets came out on top in what was a scrappy match.

Prior to the game a minutes silence was observed to pay respects to Dartfordian’s 4th team captain who had passed away on the rugby pitch a week before.

The game started in a flurry of kicks with both sides trying to gain good field position and it was Maidstone that began to get the upper hand with a period of pressure in the Darts 22, the line out in particular being a good source of Maidstone ball (all afternoon). However several unforced errors meant that the possession was squandered and Darts began to come in to the game.

Dartfordian’s opened the scoring when their backline broke from outside the 22 with their inside centre breaking through several tackles to go over close to the posts for a converted try. From the kick off Maidstone again applied pressure and were rewarded with their first points with Richard Foden escaping two tackles to go over in the corner after one of the few fluent moves that Maidstone put together. Keith Coomber duly converted and at half time the teams were level at 7-7.

Maidstone took the lead early in the second half with Keith Coomber kicking a penalty in front of the posts but this was the last time Maidstone enjoyed any success. Dartfordian’s came back strongly and again, as they had in the first half, gained the upper hand in the scrum set piece. However, it was their back line that did the damage running in two tries; one from within their own half, with Maidstone’s normally strong tackling letting them down. With a conversion and a kicked penalty Dartfordian’s increased their lead to 22-10, and although Maidstone did threaten on occasions, schoolboy errors crept in to their game with uncharacteristic penalties given away for (amongst other things) handling in the scrum, no names no pack drill………………Slasher!

A gentle ticking off from the skipper ensued after the final whistle in which the virtues of teamwork, support play and tackling were extolled and hopefully these attributes shall return for next weeks visit to Hastings and Bexhill Vets.

Team (with apologies for spelling)

Forwards: Crickmore, Erquhart, Norton, Bailey, Newman, McKay, Vincent, Richards

Backs: Mullarky, Walker, Linley, Weston, Jones, Foden (Tucker 2nd half), Coomber

Try                    Foden
Conversion        Coomber
Penalty             Coomber