Stones show Bulls no mercy
AYLESFORD MAIDSTONE
Maidstone ran in 10 tries to win the Kent Cup Plate final in convincing fashion against rivals Aylesford Bulls on Sunday.
The match was effectively over as a contest by the half-hour mark.
Maidstone’s will to play a fast and open game was evident from the off, putting immediate pressure on the Aylesford 22m.
Skipper Josh Pankhurst powered over for the opening score and his first of four first half tries. The second came five minutes later.
The end of the first quarter saw probably Aylesford’s only real chance of the half as Dion Comerford intercepted a lazy Maidstone pass but he couldn’t complete the try.
Maidstone rubbed salt in the wound two minutes later as they pounced on loose ball in midfield and moved it quickly to the wide left with Matt Moore crossing the line.
Pankhurst completed his hat-trick when quick hands saw him hit the line at pace to run in from the halfway line.
As half-time approached Maidstone were reduced to 14 as Euan Caborn uncharacteristically received a yellow card for a reckless tackle.
Despite the loss, Maidstone scored again before the interval, with Pankhurst crossing for his fourth score of the match. They led 33- 0 at the break.
Ross Cooke touched down for Maidstone in the second half after only two minutes to extend the lead.
Matt Iles was hauled down just short of the line but Nathan Simpson was on hand for the recycled ball to burrow over for the try.
Josh Smith on the right wing saw his run for the line thwarted, but a good inside ball to the supporting Rory Beech saw the scoreline extend to the half-century.
Aylesford responded with a try of their own in what was probably their first visit into the Maidstone 22m in the half. A second score followed shortly after.
The two scores sparked Maidstone back into life for the closing minutes.
Smith crossed over in the corner and the match was capped off with one further score.
Moore pounced on loose ball on his own 22m to make the initial break before feeding Iles who was left with the little matter of a second row galloping in to score from 50m out. Maidstone: Baker, Pankhurst, Simpson, Chandler, Iles, Knight, Stimpson, Brill, Morosan, Caborn, Moore, Beech, Cooke, Smith, Clarke. Replacements used: Johnson, Fisher, Maytum, Cole.