Sunday 19th December 2021

For the last game of the year Beccs travelled away to Maidstone. On a damp misty Sunday morning the boys did not look in the festive spirit but with the coaching team had the sleepy lads quickly put through their paces in the warm up.

Beccs started the match off with a kick deep into the opposition’s 22. With some good early pressure from the kick, Maidstone were pushed back. Some solid tackles from Beccs kept that pressure on and pinned them back. Only 2 minutes into play and the pressure paid off with a mistake from Maidstone which resulted in Jackson Burgess picking up the ball and running through to score the first try. A good start from Beccs with all the early minutes being played in Maidstone’s half. Some impressive passages of play with great handling and passing finds the perfect off load for Eoin Matthews who side-steps his way through to score the team’s 2nd try. The game was being controlled by Beccs with Maidstone not having the answers. On the 6-minute mark and Beccs regain possession from a solid scrum. The ball is passed swiftly down the back line and finished off by James Grant on the wing to oblige with Beccs 3rd try.
Every couple of minutes there seemed to be a wave of Beccs multiple phases and pressure as Maidstone were continually being forced to defend. On the stroke of the 8th minute of the game with Maidstone now trying to attack, a lovely kick and chase out of defence from Fin Curtis-Cobb gained back some territory and quickly the ball finds its way to Ethan Smith who powers through the Maidstone defence to score his first and Beccs fourth try. We were now on the 10 minute mark and Beccs kept resetting after each try and came back with the same relentless force. Some excellent passing and handling with a perfect delayed pass from Jack Wiggins sent James Grant on his way to score number five for Beccs.
Halfway through the first half and Beccs were playing out their own 22. The constant pressure to gain territory eventually helped Ethan Smith to break through to score his second try of the game. Beccs were on the crest of a wave and only a minute later Barney Taylor is through with pace after a great run from Cian Dawes to make it number seven. Maidstone never gave up and were soon on a one-on-one position with Fin Curtis-Cobb pulling off a fantastic tackle to keep the opposition out and what was a try saving tackle.
The boy’s continued to shine all over the park especially Eoin Matthews in the last few minutes. A penalty for Beccs saw a new attacking manoeuvre which kept the Maidstone defence guessing. George Vowell stepped up with some great handling and off loads with Barney Taylor halting the opposition with some strong tackles. This seamless play from Beccs kept coming with a strong tackle from Ethan Smith.
Next up it’s Rufus Gregory who collects the ball and takes on the Maidstone defence. He off loads to Ethan Smith to score the team’s eighth try of the first half. With a dominant scrum, the ball is quickly in the hands of George Vowell who show’s great movement to move well up the park. Both teams are now battling for possession which results in a few mistakes in the rucks, but the ball is there to be won and Ethan Smith pounces on the chance to score his 3rd of the game. The half time whistle blows with a scoreline 45-0

Maidstone kick to start the second half looking for their first try. Beccs collected and were on the attack. This forced Maidstone to kick out of their defence. The ball is plucked out the air by Fin just outside the Beccs try line and with a darting run into the opposition’s half Fin is eventually tackled, but incredibly manages to off load to George who easily strides through what’s left of the Maidstone defence to score. Maidstone don’t give up but find the resilience and determination in Beccs play hard to crack. 4 minutes into the second half and it’s George’s turn kicking out of defence. Maidstone catch but with the onslaught from Beccs, possession is back and George pops up at the right time and uses his pace to burst through for his 2nd try.
Discipline within Beccs starts to falter slightly with a couple of high tackles which results in penalties going Maidstone’s way. This helped Maidstone gain territory, but Beccs refocussed and returned the pressure. After 6 minutes of the half and this constant pressure gave Ethan the opportunity to run at Maidstone’s defence and there was no stopping him scoring. A few minutes later and Maidstone had a scrum on Beccs 22. They managed to keep possession and broke through the defence for the first time in the match to score their first try to great elation from their support. With Maidstone kicking to restart the game Fin gathers and kicks long into the Maidstone half. With territory back in Beccs favour and with some more good work from Fin he manages to find the express train in Ethan who is now running rampant for his fifth of the game.
Not long after the restart it’s a speculative pass from Maidstone that is intercepted by Ethan who has still a lot to do from the halfway line. Within metres of the try line he manages to shrug off the last line of defence and he’s in for another try with some great support work shown by Rufus who was there if needed. Halfway through the second half and its Oli Travers that steps up with a driving run and is supported by Jackson. Rufus is again in close attendance and gets his pay back with his first try of the game.
Many teams may have given up but Maidstone kept coming. George was forced into tidying things up in defence as Beccs rallied in support of each other. Another great kick out of defence by George and over the last few moments has looked solid and helps keep Maidstone on the halfway line. With almost 5 minutes to go in the game it’s a kick from Maidstone into Beccs half. The ball is there to be won and Ethan picks up and runs down the right wing for almost the whole length of the pitch to score his 7th.
Moments later and its Beccs producing another strong scrum. This good pressure wins Beccs a penalty. Into the last 3 minutes and its Jackson that intercepts a Maidstone pass and with some cracking footwork he is through on the left wing to score. In the closing moments of the game, we see some mauling action from Beccs as they drive forward towards the Maidstone try line. Louis Edwards ends up with the ball and darts through to score the last try of the game. The final whistle sounds and it’s a jubilant Beccs side winning 90-5

Cian Dawes
Ethan Smith
Theo Disberry
Louis Edwards
Rufus Gregory
Oli Travers
William Lewis
James Grant
Jack Wiggins
Eoin Matthews
George Vowell
Barney Taylor
Jackson Burgess
Fin Curtis-Cobb
Seb Sanchez
Raff Kelly
Jacob Patterson