Survival bid down to wire
Maidstone must avoid defeat in their final game of the season to ensure Kent 2 survival.
They dropped back into the bottom two last weekend after a 31-5 home defeat by title-chasing Canterbury 2nds, Ollie Jenkins with the try.
Steve Oram’s side are a point behind Hastings & Bexhill, who have already finished their fixtures.
It leaves Maidstone knowing exactly what’s required when they host eighth-placed Westcombe Park 2nds at The Mote this Saturday (3pm).
They go into the game buoyed by a decent display against a Canterbury side who fighting Dover for the title.
“We were really pleased with our performance on Saturday,” said director of rugby Oram.
“It gives us confidence going into the final game.
“The result flattered
Canterbury a bit. It was 7-0 at half-time and they got a couple of scores in the second half while we were a man down, which finished the game, really.
“We had a couple of senior players carrying knocks so we took the decision to take them off and protect them for this week. “We’ve got a strong side out against Westcombe Park, one of the strongest we’ve had this season.
“We know what we need to do and if we stick to the game plan we’re more than capable of getting a result.
“Hastings are a point ahead of us, so we need a draw for better (a draw is worth two points).
“One point won’t be enough because they have a better points difference than us.
“You can’t play for a draw in rugby - they just happen - so we’re going for the win.
“We have to take our good performance from Saturday into the game and make sure we cut theoddmistakeout.”
The bottom two are due to go down but you never quite know in the amateur rugby structure. Maidstone just need to get a result.
“That’s the theory, that two go down,” said Oram.
“Every year there’s talk of reorganisation. Talking to my fellow coaches and directors of rugby, we’ve all had enough of reorganisation.
“There’s 12 teams in our league, which is a good number.
“It’s a good league, all the clubs know each other and we’re all within a reasonable distance. “One of the whispers going round is dropping to 10 teams from 12, which would mean the boys have four fewer games a year.
“These guys pay to play and if you’re taking four games away, they’ll start to question is it value for money?
“Taking out two home games would also have a big financial impact on clubs, with bar takings and club lunches.”
Maidstone, meanwhile, have entered the Papa John’s Trophy, a new national cup competition
to conclude the season.
“We’re waiting on fixtures,” said Oram.