The Lions Show Guts against Maidstone

However, there were few faces that were recognised from that encounter & with Maidstone’s 2nd string, the Mustangs not having a game, at least half of the squad that turned up at the Drill field looked & played like they were from higher sides.
With a massive weight disadvantage in the pack any possession was going to be hard to come by for the Lions team, but surprisingly, they seemed to hold their own & great pick ups by John Stabler at 8 from scrums going backwards kept them in the game. After a couple of forced errors by Maidstone the Lions found themselves in Maidstone’s 22 & with some good work by the forwards a penalty was awarded in front of the posts kicked by Stu Adcock, 3-0. Shortly after Maidstone replied with a well worked try on the right, unconverted 3-5. The Lions were living on scraps & the tackle count was starting to mount, but one of the few forays into the Maidstone half resulted in another penalty, confidently stroked over by Stu Adcock, 6-5. From the re-start the Lions won another penalty & kicked long for touch. A great catch & drive saw John Stabler go over, converted by Stu Adcock, 13-5. A couple of changes were made at half time by both teams & the game progressed in a similar fashion with the Lions making few forays into Maidstone’s half, but when they did, taking the points on offer. A fine drop goal by Stu Adcock increased the gap, 16-5. But it seemed then that Maidstone changed gear & their big substitute at 8 started to cause havoc in the Lions defence. With the Lions now visibly tiring, tackles were missed & in quick succession the defence was opened up for Maidstone to score 3 tries, their No.8 collecting 2, 16-24. The Lions were not quite finished & some good back play managed to create a platform from a lineout in the Maidstone 22. Again good work from the forwards with disciplined play around the rucks, saw Joe Michael exploit a gap to score, converted by Stu Adcock, 23-24. It looked as though the Lions might come back after all but Maidstone had now got into a rhythm, & with only so many big tackles you can make, Maidstone scored another 2 tries to put the game beyond doubt, 23-38 the final score.
A gutsy performance by the Lions against tough opposition, who with that side, are serious contenders for the title.
Man of the match – Jo Michael for a strong performance with a well taken try at the end.

Click Here to read Maidstone's Report for the match

Team: Nathan Parker ( Nick Blown ), Gary Dixon, Harry Deverill, James Pledger, Dave Rose Jnr ( Stuart Loder ), Sam Ludwig, Jo Chatterton ( Jamie Hubbard ), John Stabler,Joseph Michael, Stuart Adcock, Jake Ward, Sam Hursey, Dan Best, Josh Erskine, Jason Clarke ( Keiron Ash ).

Referee : Society Ref.

Reporter Peter Marriott