Sat 26 Sep 2026
A blue sky with white clouds above, matching the blue and white hoops of MRFCs new home kit, and a new coaching set up with Garry Bettis at the helm, with Chris Hadfield assisting. All pre-season has been building towards the league opener, at home infront of a big crowd against East London 1st XV. Our last match against East London saw them run rings around, the players had a point to prove.
East London kick off to Maldon, despite not taking the ball before allowing it to bounce, the ball went straight into fly-half, debutants, Josh Simmons hands who found touch with a brilliant clearing kick. A sign of things to come from the fly-half.
Despite some good attacking intent, the ball just wasn't sticking in hand for Maldon in the opening ten mins. Good positions weren't being capitalised on, but the team were still showing plenty of promise. Following some soft penalties, this allowed East London to kick for territory, resulting in a try for the visitors from a maul a few metres out, 0-5.
This was the wake up call Maldon needed, what followed was some good rugby. Josh Simmons showed great footwork to waltz between the defence and get MRFCs first try of the season, converted by full-back Dan Allen, 7-5. Soon after a turn over from flanker, Ben Marshall inspired a great attacking phase from Maldon which involves multiple players getting hands on the ball and distributing it down the line to Alex Davis on the wing who touched the ball down over the line whitewash, 12-5. Within minutes of this score Maldon produced more good rugby, a carry in midfield was was supported by captain, Lewis Nichols, who took the offload and ran past attempted tackles to get his first try of the day, successfully converted by Allen, 19-5.
Unfortunately, where Maldon should have put the game to bed early doors, concentration slipped and another maul from East London meant a second try to the visitors, 19-10. Maldon responded with good pressure in their defensive line, with flanker, Josh Chadwick, charging down a kick. Expecting the ball to bobble forward over the line and just having to tap it down should have been easy enough, but the ball had simpler ideas and bounced up perfectly into the hands on the lanky giraffe who dropped it a metre from the try line, completely unopposed. The rest of the first half was seen out without any further score, but too many penalties from Maldon left them feeling frustrated.
HT 19-10.
The message at half time was clear, cut out the penalties and be clinical.
The half time message was heard loud and clear, within minutes the team showed slick handling to allow Lewis Nichols to cross the try line from close range for his second of the day, converted by Allen, 26-10. What happened next was a bit like groundhog day and a try-fest for the 1st XV. The pattern generally was a kick off to Chadwick, who fed Ben Marshall who then made good metres with each carry fron kick off. The first of this set of tries saw Brad White kick to space, Alex Davis chased well to retain possession, then some great offloading between the two allowed Brad White to touch down, 31-10.
Kick off was much the same, then a great grubber from Simmons was picked up by George Alden-Smith who showed good pace to get over the try line, successfully converted, 38-10.
George Perkins made strong, hard yards in midfield to get us over the gain line. This created space for Simmons to exploit, and a slight break followed by slick handling to Lewis Nichols, with 60m to the try line the giant centre stretched his legs to get his hattrick, converted again by Allen, 45-10.
Maldon then had a period where East London retained possession more effectively, so they had to front up in defence. Joe Entwisle consistently put in big hits, driving the visitors backwards.
Off a much improved lineout, thanks to Jack Evans accuracy, a break by Brad White led to an overlap which was elegantly put away with Chadwick getting over the try line (didn't fumble it this time). With the conversion right in front of the posts, surely the score would be 52-10... or you would have thought... 50-10.
By this point the opposition were tiring and the last thing they wanted to see was L. Nichols with his hands on the ball again, another strong carry and tackle break allowed a fourth try for the captain, this time the kick right in front of the posts was successfully converted by Allen, 57-10.
A strong counter attack from winger, and debutant, Alfie Brown put us in good position. With strong carrying, this created space for George Alden-Smith to cross for his second, 62-10. For the final try, some simple, slick handling from the backline gave Dan Allen enough space to show his pace and get the ball down in the corner, successfully converting his own try, 69-10.
The last few minutes saw some determined defence by Maldon with George Perkins and Jim Roblin tackling hard to prevent any further score.
Other notable mentions must be given to Andy Well and Ryan Martin in the front row whose work in the scrum gave us a strong platform to attack from. Chris Mooney's work rate as always was exceptional. Returning scrum half, Louis Poynter played ensured pace and temp in attack, and winger Sam Johnson got in some of his signature carries where he proved very tricky to stop!
FT 69-10
Maldon are very pleased with this dominant performance, but they know where they need to improve and are aware of challenges ahead. But, as far as opening games of the season go, the team showed exactly what the new coaching set up wanted and have all the potential to build a successful squad.
MOTM - Josh Simmons, a brilliant league debut which saw him control the pace of play and bringing teammates into the game with great pass and kick selection.
Next week sees the 1st XV travel to Romford & GP in Round 2.
