Sat 4 Nov 2023
Following days of rain & more in the morning Maldon travelled to Campion, hoping to get back to winning ways against the team at the bottom of the table. But, the skies turned blue, the sun came out & the pitch was in good condition. Maldon had a couple of changes in their line-up, but were still confident that this team could manage victory. Campion chose to play against the wind, slope & sun in the first half. Campion started very strongly, making a breakthrough through some sloppy tackling from the kick-off. It didn’t take long for Campion to cross the line following some more poor tackling, to take a 5-0 lead.
Maldon came back strongly, carrying the ball better & using the boot to gain territory. Pressure told & Olly Lyons crossed in the corner, 5-5. Maldon continued with the pressure, but did not look to be playing that well as a team. Joshua Chadwick kicked a penalty, Maldon in the lead, 5-8.
But, Campion came straight back, turning over the ball again, to allow an attacking position, giving the winger the chance to burst through attempted tackles, 10-8 to Campion. There then followed an inexplicable yellow card to Ben Marshall, closely followed by another Campion try, 15-8 at half-time.
The half-time team talk was based around only being 7 points down & still being in the game.
However, the first 10 minutes of the second half saw Campion run riot. Everything Campion tried came off, quick line-outs, turnovers, moves in the backs, linking play in the forwards & scrums. Rather than playing together as a team like Campion, Maldon’s moments were more individual good play, but not good team play as seen previously in the season. Campion scored 3 tries, all converted to take a 36-8 lead.
It just wasn’t Maldons day, nothing seemed to work for them, or go in their favour. However, the introduction of Dimitri Sofoclous, returning from injury, lifted Maldon. Their defence improved, turnovers were won and the general tempo of Maldon’s play quickened. Captain Joshua Chadwick managed to make a break & cross the line, converted, to make the score 36-15, but there was little else to please the travelling support.
The game ended with disappointment at the performance, not just the score. Maldon will need to raise their game for next week’s home game against East London in front of a VPs’ crowd.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Dimitri Sofoclous for a strong return after injury
