Massey treble in big win
MAIDSTONE DOVER
Maidstone looked fit, pacey and powerful in a big derby victory against Dover last Saturday.
A try inside three minutes from Danny Baker, cutting a smart line from Lucian Morosan’s feed, set the tone as the county town club claimed their first London 1 South win.
All eight tries came from the forwards, including a hat-trick for hooker Will Massey, whose set-piece and loose play were outstanding.
Seven-nil up after Brendan Trudgen’s conversion, the second try came on 10 minutes when a catch-and-drive from a line-out was worked infield for skipper Ben Williams to muscle over.
Dover put points on the board with a penalty but Trudgen responded by kicking three points for Maidstone.
Dover had flanker Crawford in the sin-bin when Josh Pankhurst set up Massey’s first try and a 20-10 lead.
Despite the Maidstone pack bossing the game, Dover refused to roll over and slick handling led to a try under the posts.
Maidstone started the second half well with the forwards making regular forays into the Dover 22.
Massey had his second try, securing the bonus point, after good hands in the backs stretched the defence.
Crowd favourite Ben Brill made an immediate impact on his return to the club, the Kiwi replacement scoring a try after powerful forward running for a 30-10 lead.
Dover never gave up but gaps were appearing in their defence and Maidstone took advantage with Pankhurst surging through from inside the 22, Trudgen converting.
Massey then completed his hat-trick after a catch-anddrive from a line-out.
The hosts finished strongly and from another line-out, Williams ran in the final try under the posts. Trudgen converted.
Maidstone visit Sevenoaks tomorrow (Saturday). Maidstone: Williams, W Massey, Baker, A Knight, B Massey, B Knight, Lamb, Pankhurst, Morosan, Trudgen, Smith, Beech, Olsson, Clarke, Moore. Replacements: Fox, Brill, Waring.