Through to the final – again

 

Maidstone’s under 18’s went through to the Kent league play-off final after a hard fought 26:3 victory over Sevenoaks at the Mote.

After a shaky start during which the Stones conceded a series of penalties and went behind by 3 points, they started to play with more discipline and got on the scoreboard with a Piers Francis penalty. The number 10 followed this up with a chip over the defence before gathering the ball and crossing between the posts.

The converted try boosted the Stones confidence and they went further ahead after some excellent drives by the forwards and inventive play by the backs. Another break by Francis was stopped short of the line but winger James Sullivan was on hand to cross the line close to the corner.

Further forward pressure saw Sevenoaks concede more penalties, with Francis adding another to give the Stones an 18:3 half-time lead. Sevenoaks fought back hard in the second half but Maidstone’s defence stood up to the test, with full-back Leo Fedorcio putting in some excellent last ditch tackles. After another Francis penalty, taking his match tally to 16 points, centre Nik Van Mol completed the scoring with an excellently timed run and score in the corner. 

The Stones now look forward to the final at Canterbury on Sunday, where they will face either Blackheath or Gravesend. Skipper Tom Jarratt is looking to lead this outstanding Maidstone team to their seventh consecutive Kent championship title.