25 January 2009
A gritty and aggressive performance by the Maidstone pack was the deciding factor this wet and windy Sunday. The close-to-home side, playing in Mote Park while their grounds drain, were up for the battle having lost without scoring on the last three occasions that these two sides have met. Steady improvement under their coach Pete Barford came to fruition in a close match that was eventually won narrowly by the better side on the day.
Maidstone started the stronger while a number of the Medway players tried to get used to playing out of position, or get an understanding with new players. The Maidstone pack had the better of the set plays, and the Medway backs had very little ball to play with in the first 20 minutes. When they did get the ball it was usually lost rapidly through poor decision making.
Maidstone deservedly went ahead with a penalty on 10 minutes, and consolidated their lead with a pick and go from a 5 metre scrum, and the half time score was 8 - 0 to the home side.
In the second half with the wind slightly in their favour, Medway tried to get their game going but the backs continued to misfire, particularly at half-back. Maidstone matched the Medway forwards and were winning more ball through desire and aggression. Medway made two promising breaks, but on both occasions the ball carrier was left isolated and penalties conceded.
Medway pulled back 3 points with a Stockford penalty midway through the half, and put in a strong final ten minutes that produced some determined defence from Maidstone, but it was too little too late and Maidstone had earned the right to cheer their victory at the final whistle.
