Sat 16 Mar 2024
In a game that was as close as the evening game of France v England, Maldon travelled to sunny Romford on a spring day that was perfect for rugby. After the last games’s win Maldon were aware that they needed to maintain those standards again. The game started badly, with a dropped kick-off allowing Romford field position, then a penalty allowed them to kick for touch & from the resulting 5m line-out, Romford scored, 5-0 after 3 minutes. Flanker Dimi Sofocles went off injured, but returned not long afterwards, & the afternoon was looking challenging. Maldon then woke up, good running, good hands, good support & keeping possession gave the opportunity to move the ball wide, for Sam Langston to show powerful running to burst through 3 tackles to score, 5-5.
The next kick-off Maldon received was just as bad as the first, as nobody claimed the ball & it bounced into touch. Within a minute Romford were awarded another penalty (a pattern which continued all game), kicked to make the score 8-5. Maldon kicked off & challenged well for the ball in the air. This disrupted Romford and, again, Maldon had territory. From this position Maldon attacked, showing intelligent play, culminating in Ben Marshall crossing the line, 8-10. Romford kick-off again & Maldon stick to the pattern of not wanting the ball, 3 kick-offs received & 3 mistakes, allowing Romford possession on the 22m line, Maldon were responsible for their own downfall. To make matters worse, Chadwick threw a pass that wasn’t on allowing the Romford winger to intercept and score. Maldon kicked off, Brad White challenged for the ball & the Romford player fell to the ground. Unsurprisingly, Maldon were penalised for this rugby incident and Brad White was sent to the bin. This feeling of being hard done by spurred Maldon on, which led to Sam Langston crossing for his 2nd, converted by Chadwick, 13-17, with not long until half-time. But, still time for Maldon to not cleanly take another kick-off &, within a couple of minutes, to allow Romford to score again, for a half-time score of 20-17.
3 tries apiece at half-time & a huge penalty count against Maldon. The 2nd half needed less penalties & improved defence to give the chance of victory.
Maldon started really well, great kick-off chase, great support, & Brad White, after his 10 minute rest, strolled under the posts for a converted try, 20-24. Maldon then caught the kick-off cleanly! This allowed Maldon to attack & get past the gain line numerous times. A cross-field kick allowed Sam Johnson an easy touch down, converted, 20-31. Maldon were on top & looking good. But, in the spirit of the game, allowing the opposition to score after Maldon had scored, Romford did a really good kick chase & the ball bounced kindly, for a score under the posts, 27-31. Substitute Olly Lyons showed his strength & power as he burst through a number of tackles to score (it was Maldon’s turn) a converted try, 27-38.
The next try for Romford was simply the result of poor defence & missed tackles to allow one of their players to wander through without a hand laid on him, 39-38, 5 minutes to go. But, Maldon responded well, playing to their strengths, once more showing good support &, to complete his hat-trick, Sam Langston finished off good hands out wide, 39-43. Only a few minutes to go, but, Romford were given 2 penalties, which allowed them to move down the field &, despite a number of bodies around the ball the try was given, 44-43.
The games finished on an interesting note with a final penalty for Romford. But, throughout the game Maldon were not strong enough in defence, and wasted opportunities to potentially score in attack.
The final 2 league games of the season will require better performances to allow Maldon to finish the league in a position they feel they should be.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Sam Langston for great footwork and strength in scoring a hattrick.
