20th march

Weekly Roundup 20th March 2010

RESULTS for 20th March

Team	Opposition	H/A		Competition
1st	Thanet Wanderers	A	Lost 66-7	London 1 South
2nd (Mustangs)	No Fixture			Invicta Division I
3rd	Tunbridge Wells II	A	Won 8-12	Invicta II
4th	Medway III	H	Won 40-5	Mid Kent A
5th	Warminster (Tour)	A	Lost 24-17	Friendly
Vets	Tunbridge Wells IV	H	Lost 17-34	Friendly

There was a good buzz around training on thursday night following the appointment of Andy Foley as Club Coach for next season. Andy spoke very eloquently of his delight at taking over the helm of a club with the stature, traditions and history of Maidstone FC and said that he has been waiting a long-time for the vacancy to occur. With his pedigree and track-record, notably at Dorking and Westcombe Park, I am sure that we can look forward to better times ahead in future seasons. (See Club News section).

Sadly, this enthusiasm and hard-work in training, did not translate into a win away at Thanet for the 1sts. A series of injuries on the day meant that the team had very little chance of competing on level terms but gave a spirited display nonetheless.

The 3rds had an almighty battle of attrition at Tunbridge Wells, where they were seeking to improve upon the 12-12 draw they acheived/suffered earlier in the season. Awarded a first half penalty try following a 30 metre rolling maul, they trailed nevertheless 8-7 for much of the match until Andy Bacon was able to burrow over for the winner in the closing minutes. This keeps their relentless pursuit of the title very much on course but each game offers a stern test and next week's tussle with Canterbury III will be no picnic, prior to the showdown with League Leaders Alleynian II on 10th april.

The 4th team went into their game vs Medway III with the luxury of having 5 or 6 players on board who would certainly have been required for the Mustangs had they been playing this week. However, in a season where our 2nd team have been regularly supplemented by the 4th team, it was nice to have a few of the guys back this week. It was also nice to see the team playing good re-cycling rugby at a pace with which the committed but outgunned Medway team could not live. There were tries for Coomber G, Lobos, Purfit, McKenzie, Ruaux and for Ben Pritchard, making his 4th team debut - en route to the top end of the club one suspects. With a 22-0 score-line at half-time after playing with the wind, there was no room for complacency as many of us have experienced the never-say-die attitude of Medway in the past and lost substantial leads to them. This time however, despite Medway having much of the play in the 2nd half, there was to be no repeat and a well disciplined and enjoyable game went down as the 4th team's best win of the season.

The 5th team are on tour in Warminster and I guess if you go on tour to a garrison town, there are certain things you might expect. With a 17 - 0 lead at half time, the 5ths might have expected to win their match, until 4 Army Fijians took to the field in the 2nd half - with predictable consequences. Amongst other things one might expect, a try from Paul Arthurs would not have been very high up the list as he hasnt scored one for over 5 years. However, one would have been wrong. Bet that brought a smile to the old boy's face.

The Vets looked resplendant in their club blazers and number 1s as they turned out en masse for their annual memorial trophy game, commemorating former Veterans who are sadly no longer with us, Roger Nichols, Peter McCabe, Jim Griffiths and Mike Sharples. Tunbridge Wells IV were the opposition and proved to be just too strong in a well matched game, running out worthy winners after playing a full part in the day's proceedings. It was great to see some familiar faces back at the club on the day. Former Veterans talisman and regular match winner Chris Lindley, who now lives in Kenya but who still reads this humble offfering every week, was the first of the surprises and it was also good to see Veterans stalwart and one of Maidstone's longest serving players Steve Norton on the touchline, bearing in mind that he has been battling bowel cancer through-out the season. Steve had set himself the goal of returning to action in time for the Vets tour in April but has now re-set his sights on a come-back for the start of next season. How good also to see Deputy Chair-man Bob Hayton in action and reminding everyone of what a fine player he was/ is and how the Web-site Gallery's gain has been the Veteran's XV's loss, now that he spends most of his saturdays stalking the pitches with his long lens at the ready. (See T Wells Match report)

With just 2 First Team fixtures left, next week is the last 1st Team home game of the season.

A year ago, Colfeians visited and provided us with one of our only wins of the season. Lets hope they will be in as generous a mood again next week.

Commiserations to the U17s, who lost to Sevenoaks in the final of the Kent Cup but who were in with a chance of winning until the final play of the game. Better luck next year lads.

Sally McCabe Awards Memorial Trophy to Victorious Tunbridge Wells Captain

"Try-Machine" Chris Lindley caught in the act.

Best Dressed Front-row in the County (and possibly the best looking, God help the rest of them !!)

Fixtures for 27th March

Team	Opposition	H/A		Competition
1st	Old Colfeians	H	Sat 3pm	London 1 South
2nd (Mustangs)	Sevenoaks II	A		Invicta I
3rd	Canterbury III	H	Sat 3pm	Invicta II
4th	Vigo II	H	Sat 3pm	Mid Kent A
5th	TBA	A		Friendly
Vets	Sheppey Vets	A	Sat 3pm	Mid Kent C