Kicking game reaps rewards
MAIDSTONE TWICKENHAM
Maidstone bounced back from their derby defeat to Medway by enjoying a home victory over Twickenham.
The 23-10 win leaves Maidstone eighth in London 1 South ahead of a trip to Brighton tomorrow (Saturday).
Twickenham were first to score, going seven points ahead, but Maidstone worked their way back into the game to lead by the break.
Further improvements led to second-half domination that saw them extend their lead and run out comfortable winners.
Twickenham’s opening try came around the 10 minute mark as a well-timed pass saw centre Brown touch down. He then converted.
Maidstone reduced the deficit with a penalty from Harry Millar, awarded for failing to release. As half-time approached Maidstone gained the lead.
From a five-metre scrum Craig Webb forced his way over the line and Millar converted to put Maidstone 10-7 up.
A Millar penalty after five minutes of the second half saw Maidstone’s lead increase but it was cut back by a Twickenham reply, from Brown.
With Ben Pitkin on at scrumhalf and Maidstone playing an increasingly effective kicking game, territorial dominance began to pay dividends. A cross-kick to the right wing was hacked on by Lucian Morosan to establish a line-out in the Twickenham 22.
The catch and drive saw Webb, on the end of the move at the back of the maul, score near the corner to extend the Maidstone lead to 18-10.
Maidstone finished the stronger, scoring a third try in the last minute. Pitkin found a gap around the ruck to take the score to 23-10. Maidstone: B Williams, Pankhurst, Byford, Cowan, Knight, C Williams, Stimpson, Eaglesham, Morosan, Kannemeyer, Eastwood, Beech, Webb, Ring, Millar. Replacements: Petelo, Johnson, Pitkin.