24th October 2009
Anchorians II 8 Maidstone IV 3
Another tough match for Anch’s as Maidstone proved to be very hard opponents. Anch’s went out with a strong XV this week although some players had to cover some key positions. The weather was probably the biggest factor in this game and although it wasn’t in any way extreme.
It was the first time this season that there was a bit of rain in the air and the ground was soft. This was evident in the style of play from both sides who kept it very close to the pack throughout the game. Anchorians seemed to have the upper hand in the 1st half by playing with the wind behind them. Their scrummage was strong and kept the pressure on Maidstone throughout the game but it was within the first 15 minutes that it really told, when a powerful shove from the Anch’s forwards put Maidstone’s scrum under pressure and the ball shot out to their No. 9 who took a heavy hit from Anch’s stand in scrum half Nigel Fray and the ball was spilt for Mike Cooper to pounce on and with the slightest downward pressure the only try of the game was scored. Anch’s were lifted by this and kept the pressure up for a considerable time and it seemed that they spent most of the first half attacking Maidstone’s line.
Debut prop Martin Jogger played strongly throughout the game and kept Maidstone’s pack controlled as he scrummaged and ran attacking lines as well as supporting his new team mates during his first Anchorians match. Shortly before half time the referee spotted something in a ruck and awarded Maidstone a penalty, their young fly half stepped up and coolly slotted the ball between the posts to bring the score up to 5 – 3. Into the second half and Anch’s were now playing against the conditions but experienced fly half Mark Pike controlled the game well and ensured that Anch’s played most of the time well inside the Maidstone half of the pitch. The forwards continued to dominate the majority of the play with exceptional performances coming from players such as Dave Partridge, John Henderson and Ashley Mosdale. This Dominance that the forwards had created gave the Anch’s backs opportunities to pile on the pressure and although both Justin Phipps and Steven Reeves attacked well the Maidstone defence stayed strong and kept Anch’s from scoring. Eventually Maidstone gave away a penalty within kicking distance and Mark Pike stepped up to slot the ball neatly between the posts. The game didn’t move much from here and both teams put 100% into it but it was a game of opportunities and Anchorians seemed to take theirs when it counted. The return fixture no doubt will be just as tough and could go either way.
Man of the match this week goes to Mark Pike for keeping control of the game in difficult conditions.
Next week Anchorians travel to local rivals Medway for what is annually one of Anchorians fiercest fought battles.