Try count highlights defensive frailty
HAVANT MAIDSTONE
There were positives in defeat for Maidstone at Havant on Saturday. The spirit and zest shown by the back line, added to the solid platform of the front eight, bodes well for better results in London 1 South. Maidstone also solved the conundrum of who should wear the problem No.10 shirt, with man-of-the-match Stuart Doust impressing. He led line the line with authority, spread the ball quickly and impressed when handed place-kicking duties. Maidstone scored six tries, gaining a bonus point but conceded eight, highlighting the weakness of their defence. Scrum-half Jack Leech set up an early try for Doust but Havant replied with Chambers crossing the line and Knight converting for a 7- 5 lead. Maidstone’s reply was emphatic with two sweeping moves from the backs releasing Pat Sykes for a try. But back came Havant with Knight adding his second converted try and kicking the extras after Davis scored, giving the hosts a 21-10 lead. They stretched their advantage when second-row Young got the touchdown but Maidstone were back in the game after Josh Pankhurst took the scoring pass from Leech, Doust with the extras. The visitors defended manfully as Havant mounted a series of attacks on their line but a penalty try was eventually awarded and Ben Knight sent to the sin-bin as Maidstone trailed 33-17 at half-time. It was 40-17 two minutes after the break, Morris’ try leaving an easy conversion and at this point heads could have dropped. But Mike Hebden’s team responded in style and, after a Ben Brill break was held up, recycled ball set up Vaki Antinou in the corner. Havant added their seventh try but another Brill break released Antinou to finish from 40 yards out and with Doust on target from the corner, the deficit was down to 16 points at 45-29 with 25 minutes left. It took a catch-and-drive from a line-out to complete Havant’s total, although Maidstone had the last word as Brill took the ball from a scrum on the five-metre line and scored, Doust with the conversion. Maidstone, in 12th, host fourth-placed CS Rugby on Saturday (3pm). Maidstone: Guero, Pankhurst, Beck, A Knight, Chandler, B Knight, Davies, Brill, Leech, Doust, Copp, Sykes, Perry, Antinou, Beech. Replacements: Mount, Field, Morosan.