Sat 18 Feb 2023
Eventually the 2021/22 Cup final takes place. The league match becomes a double-header, the victors will hold aloft the Cup trophy & Maldon could clinch the League title too, if they win. Billericay have been in good form recently & a close game was in prospect. A strong wind across the pitch would make it difficult for both teams. Billericay looked to have the biggest team that Maldon had faced all year, so this was not going to be another game in which Maldon would win with ease.
The game started with lots of Maldon possession & lots of good defence from Billericay. Usually, Maldon score after a few minutes, but, credit to Billericay, this did not happen today. Billericay started to have some possession & Maldon had to defend well. After 15 minutes the game was scoreless & both teams were defending well, with little room in attack. However, Maldon’s forwards began to get over the gainline, with Max Knight leading the way. Ben Marshall carried strongly & Maldon put together a few phases of play, resulting in a ruck close to the try line, with George Alden-Smith crossing for the opening score, converted by Dan Allen, 7-0. Maldon’s mighty pack, with Chris Roper & Andy Weller at the forefront, faced their first real challenge of the season, as Billericay had a strong pack too.
A high tackle saw a yellow card for Billericay. Was this the start of the Maldon onslaught? Billericay had other ideas & they began to link together well, with the big forwards causing problems for Maldon. With advantage from offside Billericay moved the ball wide for a score in the corner, 7-5. Maldon then showed some good judgement & Dan Allen kicked a penalty for a 10-5 lead. Maldon looked like they were going to take control, but Billericay again lifted their game. Chris Hadfield relished the battle up front & was a continual nuisance to Billericay, who took exception to his aggressiveness at times. Maldon began to move the ball a bit wider following some good hands by fly half Ryan Galvin, and a kick pass from Josh Chadwick. This led to Olly Anthony sniping down the blind side, passing to Zak Knight, who crossed in the corner, 15-5.
But, Billericay responded well, gaining territory &, then, taking a quick penalty, moved the ball wide, for the winger to score a converted try, 15-12. The last play of the half saw a penalty to Maldon kicked by Dan Allen for an 18-12 lead at half-time.
The wind had changed slightly & was in Maldon’s favour, but Billericay started strongly, winning a couple of penalties, which pushed Maldon back. A turnover from Jamie Farrup saw Maldon move down the pitch & gain a penalty, again kicked by Dan Allen, 21-12.
Ryan Galvin saw more of the ball & the backs were getting over the gainline, with Ollie Lyons proving hard to stop. Quick ball allowed captain Joshua Chadwick to capitalise on a simple 2 on 1 & Zak Knight crossed for his second try, 26-12.
Maldon entered the next period of the game in complete control. Billericay could not compete with them in any aspect for the next 10 minutes. Sam Johnson ran well, proving difficult to stop as always, & Maldon ended up near the try-line, which allowed George Perkins to walk through some tired defence to score under the posts, Dan Allen converting again, to finish with an individual total of 13 points, for a 33-12 lead. The bench was emptied & Sam Langston, Mickey Curry & Dan Farrup joined the game & all made telling contributions in the form of turnovers, aggression and great handling. The game was won & Maldon then came off worse with penalties awarded, including a yellow card for Zak Knight. Billericay never gave up & were rewarded with another try, 33-17. Maldon finished off with their 3rd scrum half for the last 5 minutes, but held out Billericay for a famous victory.
This was a superb win on a blustery day, in which Maldon displayed many positive characteristics, maintaining their unbeaten run, winning the 2021/22 Cup & putting them in an unreachable position in the league. With 2 games to go, all they need to do now is to finish the season with a 100% record.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Zak Knight - Outstanding footwork and aggressive carrying
Max Knight - Dominant carrying, crashing over the gain line whenever the ball was in hand
