Sat 21 Mar 2026
Maldon were travelling to Romford, hoping to improve on the game earlier in the season when Romford were victorious in a close game. With the roadworks at Gallows Corner causing the Maldon players & spectators some diversions, the visitors went a different route than usual. On arrival at Romford the spectators found that the diversion was in fact a portal taking them back in time, as Sam Delderfield- King was on the pitch, with a number 9 on his back.
The game, however, started in 2026 & it was a close affair for the first 20 minutes or so. Romford opened the scoring with a penalty kick following an offence by Maldon, 3-0. This seemed to spur Maldon into life & by going through the phases, retaining possession & using space well, captain Lewis Nichols crossed for the game’s opening try, 3-5. Maldon continued this period of good play by taking the right options, doing the basics well & putting Romford under pressure. Joe Entwistle continued his run of scoring by crossing the line after he ripped the ball away from a Romford player, converted by Dan Allen, 3-12. For the rest of the half both teams did plenty of good things, but both defences were tight & any attacks were snuffed out before either team could add to the score, 3-12 at half-time.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first half, with Romford kicking a penalty, to decrease the gap to 6-12. There then followed a few minutes of yellow cards. First was George Perkins (not for the usual reasons!!) but for an accumulation of penalties by the team. Next was Romford, for a late tackle, followed quickly by another for a dangerous clearout at a ruck. Within this period of time, Romford scored a converted try through their fly-half who ran through the Maldon defence, without being stopped, 13-12.
Maldon then committed another penalty at a ruck, compounded by talking to the referee & losing 10 metres. This allowed Romford to kick the penalty, 16-12.
Maldon then took the kick-off quickly, but the team that were asleep was Maldon, as the Romford winger beat the Maldon defence by speed, chased his own kick & scored in the corner, 21-12. Not a very good 10 minutes by Maldon.
Maldon then showed some determination & won the kick-off, ran hard at Romford & approached the try line. The result was that space was created for Lewis Nichols to score again, 21-17, with 5 minutes to go. Next, even better play, as the ball was moved to players in space & given to Lewis Nichols on the half-way line. By running hard and avoiding attempted tackles, Lewis scored his hat-trick, converted by Dan Allen, 21-24. Maldon were in the lead once more with 2 minutes on the clock.
If you watched France v England recently, you will know that teams can take the lead with 2 minutes left & everyone knows that keeping possession & avoiding penalties means that you'll win the game. But, just as England did, Maldon did not finish the game well. Giving a penalty away at a ruck, then defending naively allowed Romford to score a converted try with the last play of the game, 28-24.
Maldon will be disappointed with the result, as they could/should have won the game. But, a losing bonus point & a try-scoring bonus point will cushion the emotions somewhat.
Maldon Man of the match - Alakarnye Turay
Next league fixture is at home against Stanford-Le-Hope on 28.03.26, in front of a VP crowd.
