Ambition pays, says Hathaway
High-risk rugby was rewarded in Maidstone’s top-of-the-table victory over Tunbridge Wells. Conditions at The Mote made running rugby difficult but Maidstone stuck to their principles and maintained their 100% record in London 2 South East. Coach Paul Hathaway said: “The performance wasn’t as fluid as we’d like. “We tried to maintain the style of rugby we wanted to play but made a lot of errors in terms of giving penalties away and handling. “They were up for the game, as you’d expect. It was a physical battle but once we got the ball wide, we were able to make incursions. “It was a typical top-of-the-table game where both sides are nervous. That’s natural but we’ve got to get over that. “We were the side with more ambition to try to move the ball wide and score. “They had a strong pack. Their driving maul was good and they scrummaged well but we played the high-risk rugby.” Maidstone, who are without a game tomorrow (Saturday), sit eight points clear at the top of the table after an eighth straight victory. Hathaway said: “Our goal when we set out was to win the league and go as far as we can in the Intermediate Cup and Kent Cup. “If we maintain our 100% record, that means we’re successful and the players have confidence in each other, which is all good for a positive mindset.” Ryarsh A 45 Tunbury A 21, Langley A 17 Ryarsh A 34, Culverstone B 29 Langley A 32. Shorne ........... 4 3 1 0 136 127 25 Langley B ....... 3 3 0 0 105 85 23 Detling ........... 4 2 2 0 121 118 20 Tunbury B ....... 3 1 2 0 97 78 15 Ryarsh B ......... 3 0 3 0 78 106 6 Culverstone A.. 1 0 1 0 15 38 1 Results: Langley B 45 Shorne 30, Tunbury A 41 Detling 15, Langley B 30 Tunbury B 27, Detling 38 Culverstone A 15, Shorne 40 Ryarsh B 21, Ryarsh B 29 Detling 36, Langley B 30 Ryarsh B 28, Shorne 33 Tunbury B 29, Detling 32 Shorne 33. Burham B ....... 3 2 1 0 84 83 17 Chalk Vill A ...... 3 2 1 0 94 73 16 Marden .......... 2 1 1 0 65 55 13 Ditton B .......... 3 1 2 0 84 100 12 Snodland ........ 3 1 2 0 76 92 12 Results: Burham B 35 Ditton B 23, Chalk Village A 39 Burham B 18, Ditton B 43 Snodland 23, Marden 42 Ditton B 18, Snodland 32 Chalk Village A 18, Burham B 31 Snodland 21, Chalk Village A 37 Marden 23. Hollingbourne . 3 3 0 0 122 70 24 Balfour............ 4 2 2 0 131 99 24 New Ash Grn ... 2 1 1 0 55 60 10 Ditton A........... 3 1 2 0 64 110 10 Chalk Vill B ..... 2 0 2 0 39 72 2 Results: Hollingbourne 56 Ditton A 13, New Ash Green 29 Balfour 26, Chalk Village B 17 Balfour 42, Ditton A 30 Chalk Village B 22, Ditton A 21 Balfour 32, Hollingbourne 34 New Ash Green 26, Balfour 31 Hollingbourne 32. Messer Cup: Chalk Village A 29 Hollingbourne 10, Balfour 18 Detling 20, Culverstone B 29 Marden 5.