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Match Report:
Thanet Wanderers U17s 7 Maidstone U17s 15 – 2 November 2008
Maidstone travelled to Thanet for their third Kent League match of the season and came away with a good win against a side that had not lost since the middle of last season.
The team responded to the pre-match views of the coach to perform at a level way above that achieved against Deal in their last match. Maidstone started well and maintained good possession for the best part of the first quarter. After 17 minutes Spicer used the fact that he had players outside to dart through a gap and score a well-constructed try. Maidstone continued to have the lions share of the ball and territory but with minutes to go to half-time, poor decision-making by Maidstone led to unnecessary pressure near their line and after a few attempts, Thanet went over near the posts for a converted try. 5-7 at half-time hardly seemed fair but Thanet had been no mugs in the first-half, disrupting Maidstone’s lineout on several occasions and matching Maidstone in the scrum area.
The second-half started well for Maidstone and Hunter continued his impressive form of the first-half to break away and supply the supporting McKay for a try on 38 minutes. The conversion was missed, so the score moved to 10-7. Maidstone’s lineout worked more effectively in the second-half and space started to be created out wide with on at least two occasions, overlaps not taken. After 51 minutes, a super individual try from Wetjen sealed the game for Maidstone. His break, chip and chase led to a try in the corner and a 15-7 lead. Thanet never really threatened after Maidstone’s third try and the only items of note for the rest of the game were injuries to Spicer and Relf.
Much better, was a good summary of Maidstone’s performance. The team looked more solid and made less mistakes but still conceded a try that really was of their own making. The ruck area was a major step up from the last game, with more commitment and purpose about our work. The midfield defence stifled Thanet, with Wetjen, Spicer and Fawcett forming a formidable barrier. In terms of individual performances, Hunter was absolutely awesome, returning to the form that makes him such an essential member of the starting line-up. He turned over so much ball in contact and disrupted much of Thanet’s maul ball that effectively he stood out by miles as the best player on the pitch. That’s not to say that others didn’t impress – Wetjen varied his game and looked a class act and Williams led the team by example with the type of big physical performance that sets the tone for our play.
Credit to Thanet and their coaches. The game was a physical one but it was played in exactly the right spirit on and off the pitch. As the Maidstone captain Williams rightly pointed out at the end of the game, this is how rugby should be played – no need for swearing, fighting or any other elements of football mentality.
Onwards to the next league game and hopefully with a full squad available.
Team News: 21st July 08
Gave these guys the benefit of my years of coaching experience. Wasps will now be moving on from their standard Rush Defence to my Kamikaze version.....
Also worthy of a mention was the fact that two of our guys (Josh MacKenzie and Tim Wetjen) were trialled at Wasps Academy on Friday and quote from the Wasps coach 'Their attitude was excellent, a joy to work with and a credit to Maidstone Rugby Club'. From what I saw, our guys were head and shoulders above the competition! By the way, been training since May and we are looking awesome for next season.........PB
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