Trudgen’s fitting farewell
DOVER MAIDSTONE
Maidstone moved up to sixth place in London 1 South with victory at Dover last Saturday.
They recovered from 12- 0 down to earn a bonus-point success on overseas player Brendan Trudgen’s farewell appearance.
Euan Caborn kept Maidstone in the game in the first half with his kicking and finished with 20 points.
But it was the pack again who dominated, with Ben Williams and Nathan Simpson sharing the man-ofthe-match award for their control in the front row.
Dover had the advantage of the slope in the first half, taking an early lead with a try in the corner.
A few minutes later, Dover moved the ball left then right for their second try, followed by a fine conversion.
Maidstone hit back with a penalty from Caborn and a try for Josh Pankhurst, pouncing on a loose ball at the back of a five-metre scrum. Caborn added the extras as Maidstone moved two points behind.
Dover then set up a 10-minute spell in which they stretched the Maidstone defence and found their way over the line for a converted try and a 19-10 lead.
But with the slow start out of their system, Maidstone hit back, taking play into the 22 and forcing a Matt Iles try through sheer power, Caborn with the conversion. Having trailed for most of the half, the visitors then edged in front with a Caborn penalty, Maidstone 20-19 up at the break.
The visitors started the second half at a noticeably higher pace, intent on stretching the Dover defence.
Caborn added another penalty, then Matt Moore interecepted a pass to score under the posts.
The conversion was a formality and with a 30-19 lead, there was clear daylight for the first time.
Dover weren’t finished, though, punishing a spilt pass behind the scrum for another converted try.
But the last quarter, against a tiring Dover, was all Maidstone. The try of the game came from a scrum on halfway with just under 10 minutes left. With a wide blindside, Lucian Morosan released Ross Cooke who beat the initial defence and passed inside to Rory Beech.
A fifth try followed with more pressure from the pack setting up Craig Webb. Caborn’s conversion completed the scoring.
Maidstone return to action at home to Sevenoaks on January 7. Maidstone: Williams, Simpson, O’Connell, A Knight, M Iles, B Knight, Pankhurst, Perica, Morosan, Trudgen, Clarke, Webb, Cooke, Moore, Caborn. Replacements: Beech, Fox, Chandler.