Sat 22 Oct 2022
Maldon 58 v 0 Barking
Maldon welcomed Barking to Drapers Farm on the day of a VP’s dinner &, with 2 games at home, a lively atmosphere.
Maldon, unbeaten this season against Barking, who beat Billericay last week promised to be a good game. Maldon started strongly, but didn’t see much of the ball. Their defence was good & they moved the ball around well when they had it. Before too long scrum half Louis ‘Caesar’ Pointer scored in the corner, following from a good kick to the corner, for a 5-0 lead. Shortly after, George Perkins showed great strength to finish a move involving many phases to take the score to 10-0.
Barking had some possession, but positive defence by Maldon kept them out, with Ben Marshall putting in one of the biggest hits ever seen at Drapers Farm. Next, centre Brendan Bignall crossed when thinking quickly from the back of a ruck, converted by Dan Allen, 17-0. This was closely followed by good handling along the back line, resulting in Dan Allen scoring in the corner, 22-0. Brendan Bignall finished off a move that saw George Smith pass unselfishly with the line beckoning for a 27-0 lead at half time.
Last week Maldon slacked off at half time & let the opposition back into the game, but this week they were much more clinical. Ben Marshall scored after a few minutes, storming over with bodies being flung off him for 50m, as he ran through Barking, 32-0. Jack Judd ran in under the posts after a dummy pass which left the Barking defence running away from him, converted by Joshua Chadwick, 39-0. Zak Knight scored in what was possibly his first touch of the game after coming on in the second half, again converted by Joshua Chadwick, 46-0.
Zak Knight scored again, after some great handling by all players. Finally, Mickey Curry scored after running past a tired Barking defence, converted by Joshua Chadwick, for a final score of 58-0.
The whole squad played well, with the Farrup twins making a big impact when coming off the bench, with some very strong running & tackling. Chris Hadfield annoyed Barking for the whole game. The forwards dominated the scrum & work at training paid off with the line out functioning well. The back line linked with each other, better than in previous games, and all players were involved in attack & defence. A brilliant squad effort from Maldon.
Best of all Maldon prevented Barking from scoring any points. This emphatic victory keeps Maldon at the top of the table, with a large points difference.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mickey Curry - Great handling, counter attacking & aggression all game.
