Vigo’s second string almost made it a perfect day for the Club, falling agonisingly to an inspired second half performance by a young Maidstone side. Last game of the season, beautiful day, a home game, all factors in helping co-captains Harry Pattison and Nathan Covill raise a decent side – with a benchful of replacements.
But Maidstone didn’t come to roll over, and for 20 minutes Vigo struggled to impose themselves on the match. Maidstone had the slope, Vigo the wind, but it was the visitors who dominated the early stages taking an early and deserved lead. Gradually, Vigo worked their way into the game, and the introduction of Dan Billington seemed to galvanise the team (or so he assured me). Jamie Ballard was able to slide through the Maidstone defence for his first try for the club, Joe Deeney adding the conversion to snatch the lead. Then , Connor Cutts, who had an outstanding game both in attack and defence, intercepted a loose pass in his own half and sped away for a fine try, again converted by Deeney. Vigo could not add to their lead before the break but were content in the knowledge of having the slop in their favour in the second half.
And indeed, they started that’s second period on the front foot, Ben Buckland scoring a typical rampaging try, before Cutts added his second running a brilliant line to cut through Maidstone’s defence. But then came the turning point. The fearsome centre, Dan Ackary had come off the bench with his Captain’s instructions firmly in mind – ‘’Just go and smash someone’’. Unfortunately, he did, rather annihilating the Maidstone scrum half with a big hit which the referee deemed as being a tad too high. Off to the cooler, went our Dan, and Maidstone took full advantage of the extra man, running in two quick tries in their ten minutes of numerical advantage, converting one. Back to full strength, but Maidstone had the impetus, their young backs beginning to run riot. Two more ties, one converted followed, as Vigo ran out of steam, the lack of match fitness a deciding factor.
But, Vigo had raised a team, for the first time not having to rely on ‘borrowed’ players – not that I’m criticising – but hopefully this can carry over to next season.

By finishing, let me praise the co-captains, Harry and Nathan, who have had a difficult season, trying to raise a viable second team, even though both have been called up to the 1st team on many occasions. By the same token, Brad Powell had had to step in as captain. Sadly they are all stepping down and will be greatly missed.

Vigo Team: C.Cutts; M.Denman, M.Gregory, C.King, R.Lancaster; H.Pattison, C.Gibson; D.Norton, N.Covill, J.Smith; M.Lane, C.Huane; G.Cole, J.Bullard; B.Buckland
Replacements (all used) B.Mayhew, J.Deeney, D.Billington, A.cameron, D.Ackary, S.Carter

Referee: Robert Gan (Kent)

Man of the Match: Connor Cutts.