When you have influential players missing, not least of which was the captain, Ben Williams, you need to adapt to both the opposition and the conditions, neither of which Maidstone did well.

On firm ground and with a big pack, Maidstone did not play rugby to their advantage. Instead they let the opposition dictate play, not necessarily in the set-piece, where Maidstone were on the wrong-end of some unfathomable scrum decisions but at the break -down and in the loose where this game was ultimately lost. The inability to win quick ball or turn-over the opposition ball was their downfall and this created the base for a very handy Tottonionans side to launch their repeated attacks.

Maidstone started spritely enough with a Craig Webb try on 10 minutes, following a line-out catch and drive on the opposition 22 and had they continued in the same vein, the result could have been very different, particularly if the extras had been added to provide a 7 point cushion. However, Tottonians rallied themselves and scored two converted tries in the space of 3 minutes, through slick-handling in the backs finished by 11 and 13 that sucked in the defence. Both tries were converted by fly-half and captain Searle, who had a near faultless afternoon with the boot.

Whilst, Tottonians were yet to fully assert themselves, this put a clear marker down that they were going to bring the game to Maidstone, leading 14-5 at this stage. However, 5 minutes later, Maidstone capitalised on a Tottonians over-throw at the lineout on the 10m line with quick ball being shipped across the back-line to allow Eastwood to run in the left corner. With a failed conversion, this bought the score to 10-14.

However this was the last passage of serious intent from the back-line in the first half by Maidstone against a Tottonians side that were growing in stature and confidence to take a hold on the game. This was aided by an inability by Maidstone to clear their lines at critical times, which gave Tottonians, the perfect platform to counter-attack and stretch the Maidstone defence further.  This resulted in the Maidstone pack been given the ‘run-around’ and negating the threat that the more athletic and powerful pack should have posed.

On the 20 minute mark and with ill-discipline at the break-down, the Tottonians fly-half, slotted a penalty to bring the score to 10-17 and a further gifted penalty soon after increased the score further. Even with a Tottonians yellow card towards the end of the first half and some sustained pressure by Maidstone, another penalty infringement allowed Tottonians to relieve the pressure. The half finished at 10-20.

Maidstone needed to score next to get a foot-hold back in the game and the opportunity arose within minutes of the re-start a penalty was awarded, which was successfully kicked by Trudgen. This bought the deficit down to a converted try and all to play for. However, Tottonians started to up the ante and a foray deep into the Maidstone half with the Tottonians forwards and backs combining well, led to a yellow-card for No.8 Brill for a high tackle. The numerical disadvantage began to tell as the Tottonians forwards continued to dominate loose play.

This eventually led to an attack on the counter due to a missed touch, which allowed the Tottonians winger to score in the corner. The metronomic boot of the Tottonians fly-half added the extras to provide day light between the scores, from which Maidstone never recovered.

It was only a piece of individual skill from a deft overhead kick that allowed Maidstone winger Eastwood to get the rub of the bounce to collect and go into the corner that provided any hope that Maidstone could claw their way back.

This optimism was soon quashed as for the remaining 20 minutes it was all Tottonians, who with the score at 18-27, looked after the ball well, launching attack after attack at a now beleaguered Maidstone side. Whilst, Maidstone defended resolutely if was only a matter of time before the speed of service off the base and the in-roads that the forwards and backs were making would take its toll.

So it proved to be when good hands in the backs to ship the ball wide allowed the Tottonians hooker, to barrel-over in the left hand corner for the bonus point try. To extinguish any further hopes of a come-back by Maidstone, the reliable, Searle duly added the extras to make the score 18-37. Maidstone’s focus was now on trying to score their own bonus-point try to at least come away with a point but despite some last ditch attacks by Maidstone they couldn’t penetrate the Tottonians defence, who were content to soak up the pressure and close the game out.

Maidstone have the makings of a very good side with the potential to push for honours in this league but this was a ‘bad day at the office’ and the hope that is that with some reflective time by the players and the coaching staff, normal service will be resumed. It was also a useful reminder of how significant the boot can be at this level in terms of keeping the score board ticking-over and reducing deficits.

 

Maidstone:  Will Fox; Nathan Simpson; Jack O’Connell; Adam Knight, Ben Massey; Ben Knight, Ralph Cooke, Ben Brill; Lucian Morosan; Brendan Trudgen; Leon Olson; Rory Beech; Craig Webb; Alex Eastwood; Matt Moore.

Replacements: Martin Maytum; Tom Chandler; Josh Smith (all used)

 

Report by Andy Golding

Photos by Bob Hayton