Warlingham suffer six try opening defeat

Two seasons ago Maidstone were deducted points and relegated to a lower league but, with considerable investment and recruitment hey have built up a formidable side with size and skill liberally spread throughout the XV.

The inclement weather prevented free-flowing rugby but in the early exchanges Warlingham showed great endeavour and took the game deep into the Maidstone 22. The slippery ball was knocked forward and a rolling kick back into the Warlingham half forced a lineout. Maidstone gathered and a rolling maul ended with their first converted try. Warlingham full back Joe McEvoy, replied with a well struck penalty, but Maidstone pegged back the home side with the same.

Despite fielding two international players in Mikael Ahola (Finland) at No 8 and Yassine Boufaied (Belgium) at prop, Warlingham struggled against the far superior weight and size of the visitors' pack. Tight head prop Kieron Scutt scrummaged well and captain Zack King made several forays into the Maidstone half, supported by the ever-improving Ollie Dodwell in the back row. Nevertheless, the pressure was always there and Maidstone capitalised on Warlingham handling errors and, with swift recycling, grabbed two further tries before the break.

McEvoy converted a second penalty and the Warlingham pack became revitalised. New lock George Ioannou competed well in the lineout and when the forwards worked together they made many metres down the left flank. A surging break from a maul by Scutt ended with giant lock Nick
Ray crashing over for a deserved try to Warlingham.

After the break Warlingham held their own for a long period before Maidstone kicked a penalty and a cruel interception try
put clear water between the sides and Warlingham tried desperately to play catch-up rugby with a inevitable consequences. Dodwell clattered the Maidstone outside half to save a score but the support from the hefty Maidstone forwards gave them the advantage and two further tries went unanswered by the gallant home side.

After the match chairman Peter Wrightson said, "Despite the score I thought we played well. Maidstone are clearly the team to beat this season but we will learn from the game and take those lessons onto our game next week."

Team: McEvoy, Atkinson, A Skinner,Saffery, Osborne, Agate, Murtagh, Nunn, J Delderfield, Scutt,Ioannou, Ray,Dodwell,King, Ahola, Boufaied, Edwards, Ruddock