Maldon 27 - 12 Bancroft

Maldon secured another victory at the weekend to keep alive their promotion hopes. Maldon pressurised Bancroft for the first 15 minutes of the match but were simply unable to turn the pressure into points until good communication between Maldon fly half Jerry Wood and inside centre Stuart Pearson unlocked the Bancroft defence. Realising Bancroft were anticipating a wide move Pearson initiated a change of plan, instead talking a short ball off Wood's right shoulder, scything through a gap to score the first try. The conversion was missed.

Maldon continued to pressure Bancroft but again failed to make the most of their opportunities and then coughed up a turn over at a ruck just outside their twenty-two. The Bancroft inside centre chipped over the top of the Maldon back line and the Bancroft left wing collected the ball and passed inside to his full back, who went over to score under the posts. The conversion was added to put the score 7- 5 to Bancroft.  

Maldon continued to dominate possession and territory from the re-start, which eventually created another opportunity for Stuart Pearson, who feinted to pass out to his left wing before straightening his line and showing good strength to fend off the last tackler to touch down with an outstretched arm. Wood was unlucky to miss the conversion, which glanced off the left hand post. This put the score at 10-7, which is how it remained until the break.

Maldon showed a little more flare in attack in the second half, with right wing Andrew Yardley collecting a loose ball and skipping around 3 or 4 defenders before scoring another try. The conversion was added by Wood to put the score 17-7.

Maldons next try came from the back of a ruck on the Maldon twenty-two, with number 8 Crispin Binder running blind before passing outside to openside flanker Chris Pearson who flashed down the left wing to score a try in the left hand corner. The conversion was missed.

Maldon now held a comfortable 22-7 lead and went further ahead when right wing Dougie Fern scored one of his characteristic long range tries deceptively swerving around the covers defenders to score in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed and with 5 minutes to go Maldon held an unassailable lead 27-7.

Bancroft however mounted a determined final challenge which paid dividends when their strong running inside centre broke a couple of tackles before off loading to his fly half who was in support on his outside who ran straight and then cut inside beating Maldon last tackler to score under the posts. The conversion was surprisingly missed, which put the final score 27-12 to Maldon.   

Maldon 32 - 14 East London

Maldon restored some pride at the weekend, bouncing back from a surprise defeat against Dagenham a fortnight ago, to beat East London at home. Maldon did not have it all their own way however and made a nervous start with a couple of missed tackles leading to an East London try under the posts which was converted to put the visitors 7-0 up after two minutes.

Maldon responded well however with the forwards securing good possession and troubling East London with  a series of pick up and drives interspersed with some delightful interplay with the backs.

East London were able to withstand the onslaught for about 15 minutes until finally cracking. After a further series of pick up and drives. Left wing Ben Rogers showed good awareness when he noticed his opposite wing had strayed from his touchline to the fringes of the maul. Rogers signalled to flanker Chris Pearson deputising at scrum half who fired out a long pass, which was collected by Rogers who sprinted over the line unopposed to score Maldons first try to put the score 7-5. The conversion was missed.

Five minutes later a well executed Maldon lineout was followed by a driving maul which went 20 yards before second row Paul Shepherd touched down to score a well deserved forwards try. Maldon nudged ahead 10-7.  The conversion was missed.

About 25 minutes into the match left wing Ben Rogers swept across the pitch to help tidy up some loose ball about 30 yards out from the East London try line. He took the ball on a switch with centre Mike Farmer and darted past a couple of tacklers down the right flank before straightening his line and foxing a would-be tackler with a cheeky dummy. Drifting right Rogers gave another show of the ball before straightening his line again to beat two players who were on the drift leaving just one defender to beat. Running out of steps Rogers effected to bludgeon his way over the try line knocking over the last tackler to touch down for a sublime solo effort (yawn). The conversion was added to put the score 17-7.

Further Maldon forward domination and good linking with the backs lead to an incisive run by inside centre Stuart Pearson who drew the defence before gliding a pass over the top to right wing Andrew Yardley who scored in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed.

Maldon now held a comfortable lead 22-7, which was how it stayed until half time. Maldon continued to apply the pressure in the second half and threatened to score again from a number of 5 metre scrums and rolling mauls from lineouts in the East London twenty-two. East London conceded a number of penalties and eventually one of their players was yellow carded. Making use of the advantage the Maldon forwards orchestrated another rolling maul to score a try in the right hand corner to put the score 27-7 to Maldon. 

Maldon scored a further try though their backs, with quick hands and good following up by inside centre Stuart Pearson who scorched down the right hand touch line before scoring in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed.

With the score at  32-7 East London came back into the match in the last few minutes capitalising on a number of penalties and some barraging runs from their forwards until their right wing, a powerful runner, took a short ball from the back of a maul to muscle his way over the try line from 2 metres out. The conversion was added to put the final score 32-14.     

Maldon 37 - 7 Ilford Wanderers

Maldon showed good character to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last week with a self-assured win at home against Ilford Wanderers in the Essex 1 League.

Maldons first try came from a rolling maul off the back a line out. The try scorer was second row Paul Shepherd. The try was unconverted to put the score 5-0.

Maldon continued to exert pressure from the re-start and Ilford were rarely out of their own half. Quick ball from the back of a ruck was supplied to number 8 Chris Pearson who passed inside to inside centre Ben Rogers, who broke Ilfords defensive line and passed left to prop Matt Ager, who showed good strength and a surprising turn of pace for a big man, handing off two tacklers in the course of sprinting 20 yards before scoring under the posts. The try was surprisingly unconverted to put the score 10-0.

Maldon continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a penalty in the Ilford half which was scored to put the score 13-0.

Ilford were rewarded following a late foray into the Maldon half with a try coming from their inside centre cutting back inside and eluding Maldons forward cover. The try was converted to put the score at half time 13-7, which was not a true reflection of Maldons dominance of the game.

Maldon continued to pile on the pressure and the points in the second half. The first try came from a Maldon steal in the line-out from Paul Shepherd who passed to prop Keith Knight who made good yardage before offloading to Matt Ager who went over for his second try of the afternoon. The try was unconverted.

Maldon right wing Mark Hockton scored on his first team debut to put the score at 23-7. Again the try was unconverted.

Further expansive rugby from Maldon led to a try for outside centre Lee Higham who scored under the posts and converted his own try to put the score 30-7.

In the final few minutes Ilford threw everything they had into attack but were turned over in a maul in the Maldon 22 when quick hands from Maldon captain Stuart Pearson put Maldon fullback Nick Halls away, who sprinted three quarters of the length of the pitch to score under the posts. The try was converted, with the final score 37-7.

Maldon 15 - 10 South Woodham

Maldon took early control of the game, retaining possession well and putting together fluid phases of play with good interlinking between backs and forwards. After about 10 minutes Maldon secured ball from a strong scrummage in the South Woodham Ferrers 22. Maldon fly half Neil Morris decided to go blind and made a decisive run before passing out to Maldon right wing Ben Rogers who beat his opposite man on the outside before showing good strength to break two attempted cover tackles before crossing the try line to put Maldon 5-0 up. The conversion was missed.

South Woodham Ferrers responded to the challenge laid down by Maldon by threatening to cross the Maldon line on two occasions but both times they were unable to keep their discipline and Maldon were able to clear their lines after being awarded penalties.

Maldons second try was the best try of the match. The ball was spun out wide from a Maldon lineout in the South Woodham Ferrers half of the pitch, with inside centre Steve Harris, making a strong break before off loading to left wing Nick Halls who made further ground before passing inside to right wing Ben Rogers who had swept across from his other wing. Rogers cut inside bulldozing his way into the cover defence. The ball was laid back and quickly recycled before being driven on a few yards further by the Maldon forwards. The ball was then spun out side again. Maldon fly half Neil Morris made a strong run before passing overhead to outside centre Stuart Pearson who made his own strong run before passing put wide to his younger brother and open side flanker Chris Pearson who went over to score an exciting and skilful team try. The score remained 10-0 to Maldon until half time.

After the break Maldon continued to control the match and scored another try within 5 minutes. Fly half Neil Morris kicked deep and South Woodham Ferrers made something of a hash of clearing up with the kick with the ball eluding the South Woodham Ferrers full back and tricking over the try line allowing Maldon full back Matt Morris to touch down for Maldons third try of the match. The conversion was missed.

Maldon continued to apply pressure and were unlucky not to score on two further occasions after a couple of neat breaks one from the backs and one from the forwards when hooker John Elliott peeled off a maul. Maldon seemed to lose their control over the match in the last 20 minutes allowing South Woodham Ferrers to fight their back after a series of uncharacteristic Maldon errors and a rising penalty count against the home team.

South Woodham Ferrers right wing scored an unconverted try after some weak tackling and this was followed up by a another unconverted try from a driving maul, which made for a nervous last 5 minutes for Maldon, who were able nonetheless to hold out for an important win with the final score 15-10 to Maldon.

Writtle Wanderers 12 - 27 Maldon

Maldon started strongly and put together some early phases of play before the Writtle defence became overstretched and Maldon right wing Ben Rogers forced his way over to score by the posts. The try was converted to put the visitors 7-0 up after about 10 minutes of play.

About 5 minutes later a poor kick from a Maldon penalty, which missed touch, invited Writtle to attack. A couple of missed tackles allowed the Writtle right wing to score a try in the right hand side of the pitch. The try was converted to even the score 7-7.

Maldon responded well with a series of barraging runs and some strong driving mauls from the lineout. One of these resulted in a further try for Maldon hooker and vice captain John Elliott. The conversion was missed to put the score 12-7.

Writtle responded with their own period of pressure and forced Maldon to concede a try to put the score 12-12. Maldon re-grouped and continued to threaten to open up the score. A serried of barraging runs from the forwards and backs created the space for fly half Neil Morris to put in a cross kick, which was collected on the bounce from his brother Matt Morris who sprinted 30 yards to score another try. Once again the conversion was missed to put the score 17-12 to Maldon which was how it remained until half time and until about 20 minutes into the second half, when a clever move in the backs created the space for Neil Morris to make a searing run though the centre of the Writtle defence, jinking inside the Writtle full back to score under the posts. The conversion was added to put the score 24-12.

Maldon continued to apply the pressure and were awarded a penalty 5 minutes later, which was put over to take the score to 27-12. A further penalty awarded to Maldon a few minutes later hit the posts and rebounded and was collected by Stuart Pearson, who went over the Writtle try line and was unlucky not to be awarded a try.

Writtle tried desperately to run the ball out of defence in the last 20 minutes but were simply unable to get out of their own half. The final score remained at 27-12.

Maldon 17 - 25 Wanstead

In under 5 minutes Maldon were back in the points after a series of forward drives and close quarter back moves with the ball being worked back towards the forwards. This time the try was scored under the posts although the conversion was somewhat bizarrely charged down to put the score 10-0 to the home team in under 10 minutes.

The next Maldon try came from broken play deep within the Maldon 22. Maldon recycled the ball quickly after a turn over and the ball was spun out along the backs to full back Matt Morris who sprinted over half the length of the pitch to score in the far right hand corner. This put the score 15-0.

Wanstead seemed to find it impossible to get into the match and Maldon finished the half with another score under the Wanstead posts which this time was converted to put the half time score 22-0 leaving Wanstead stunned.

Wanstead started the second half much stronger and managed to work a try from a strong driving maul. The conversion was missed to put the score 22-5.

Maldon responded straight away with right wing Andrew Yardley collecting the ball after a misfired Wanstead clearance kick and beating the cover tacklers to score another try to put the score 27-5.

Wanstead worked themselves back into the Maldon half and some ferocious tackling right through the Maldon team and some strong scummaging from the Maldon pack kept the visitors at bay. Wansteads frustration began to tell and some back chat to the referee after a Maldon penalty award bought Maldon 10 more yards and allowed a fine clearance kick to be made by fly half Neil Morris. It was now Maldons turn to apply some pressure on Wanstead. After some cutting runs by the Maldon backs and strong carrying of the ball from the Maldon forwards, Maldon were awarded a scrum. Maldon scrum half Peter Orrin picked up and ran from the base of the scrum, going through the gap and scoring under the posts. The conversion was added to put the score 34-5.

A third try of the half was score by Maldon and converted to put the score 41-5 in Maldon's favour, but Wanstead applied a great deal of pressure in the final minutes of the match and managed a last minute consolation try to put the final score 41-10.

Ilford Wanderers 17 - 25 Maldon

Maldon continued to apply the pressure and forced Ilford to concede two penalties both of which were converted to put the score 13-0 after 20 minutes.

Ilford however, capitalising on a number of Maldon infringements, played out the next 20 minutes in the Maldon half adding a penalty and in the last play of the half scoring a try in the right hand corner after some weak Maldon tackling to put the score 13-8 at half time.

The wind picked up in the second half making life difficult for the Maldon back three as Ilford continued to dominate possession and kicked well to the corners in the blustery conditions. Ilford added two further penalty kicks after Maldon were penalised in the centres for a high tackle and then off side, to edge themselves ahead for the first time in the match 14-13. Ilford followed up with more pressure and again Maldon were penalised and Ilford kicked three more points from another penalty to put the score 17-13 with about 10 minutes left to play.

Maldon however made a come back in the last part of the game, winning a couple of penalties, which allowed them to kick for touch and play some rugby in the Ilford half. A quick tap and go from another penalty in the Ilford twenty-two eventually resulted in a try for Neil Morris after a crazy run in and out and around would be tacklers. The conversion was missed but the try was enough to put Maldon back in the lead 18-17.

Ilford responded and mounted further pressure on Maldon until a moment of indiscipline resulted in a penalty to Maldon who made a deep clearing kick to the right hand touchline in the Ilford half.

A few minutes later the Maldon scrum took a ball against the head which was collected by number 8 Crispin Binder who ran hard for the line breaking a few tackles before scoring a try which was converted to put the final score 25-17 to Maldon.

Maldon 40 - 13 Dagenham

The visitors were effectively blown away in the first half by a superb forward effort complemented by some solid back play with a few glimpses of brilliance. At half time Maldon led 28-3, with a tally of 5 tries and a penalty whilst Dagenham could only manage a penalty on one of the rare occasions that they made it into the Maldon half.

Dagenham had the better start in the second half. Maldon, perhaps a little over confident after the break forgot a few basic rules of league rugby and attempted to run at times when they should have kicked for touch and cleared their lines. Dagenham capitalised on some Maldon errors and one particular unfortunate episode of indiscipline to score a drive over try which went unconverted to put the score 28-8.

Maldon responded well however and dominated the middle section of the second half although the scores came with a little more difficulty. Nevertheless Maldon were able to add more points in the second half. Some nice interplay between backs and forwards led to a try for full back Nick Halls in the right hand corner to put the score 33-8.

A little after that some strong running from the forwards and excellent quick recycling of the ball led to a pick up by Number 8 Chris Pearson who found the defence had all been sucked in and there was no one in front of him. He coasted in to score a try under the posts. The conversion was added to put the score 40-8.

Dagenham had the best of the last 10 minutes of the match and managed a late consolation try which was unconverted to put the final score 40-13 in what was an emphatic victory for Maldon.

Maldon II were unlucky to lose 20-21 to Canvey II after a late penalty kick, which was allowed by the touch judges was disallowed by the referee.

East London 22 - 17 Maldon

Maldon started the game relatively well and could have scored early on when number 8 Chris Pearson fumbled the ball over the East London try-line. It was Maldon who did manage to score first with winger Andrew Yardley touching down after simple quick ball from the forwards and straight running from the backs.

Maldon scored again shortly after with another straight forward simple try with twenty minutes of the match played. Pace and straight running saw the Maldon backs tear through the East London back line and allowing full back Nick Halls to touch down. It was then Maldon relaxed and allowed East London back into the game.

Poor tackling and lack of concentration allowed East London to score two tries of their own, leaving them 12-10 in front at half time. It was East London who scored first after the break and again more missed tackles allowed their winger to run through three players and take the score to 22-10.

With ten minutes left a rare piece of good play saw Maldon score a converted try but they were unable add any further points as the clock ran down, giving East London a deserved win.

Romford & Gidea Park III 12 - 17 Maldon II

Maldon II team recorded a good win way to Romford III at the weekend. Maldon however started slowly and conceded a simple try in the second half following a pick up and drive from the Romford No 8. The conversion was missed to put the score 5-0.

Maldon responded well and made good use of the breeze kicking deep to the Romford corners. A poor clearance kick by Romford followed by some quick thinking led to a Maldon line out with right winger Toby Powers throwing in to outside centre Ben Rogers who from 10 yards out beat one player and took another over the line with him to score and equalise for Maldon. The conversion was missed.

Further Maldon pressure resulted in a penalty in front of the posts which was missed in the strong swirling wind. The next try came from some strong mauling and pick up and drives from the Maldon pack, who collectively went over the try line before one of the forwards touched down for a try which was converted to put the score 12-5.

A few minutes later the Maldon forwards drove on close to the try line before the ball was passed out to fly half Russell Milsted who threw a miss pass to Steve Harris who ran in to score unopposed under the posts. The conversion was added to put the score 12-5 to Maldon.

Not long after that in the move of the match the Maldon fly half threw another miss pass to Harris who had again switched to the outside centre position. Harris made a break before passing inside to Rogers who made further yardage before throwing a wide pass to his right to full back Richard Stott who drew his man and passed to right wing Toby Powers who sped 20 yards to score in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed, which put the score 17-5 at half time.

Romford had the advantage of playing with the wind in the second half and they scored an early try, which was converted to put the score 17-12 and Maldon under pressure. Maldon came back into the match for a period of about 20 minutes and were unlucky not to score again, just missing out on a couple of occasions. Romford put Maldon under a great deal of pressure in the last 20 minutes with Maldon just holding out to record a very hard fought and impressive win.

Maldon 13 - Billericay 30

Maldon's strong start to the season ended abruptly on Saturday with a defeat to home to Billericay. The two teams have been big rivals for the last few season with both teams finishing next to each other in the top end of the table for the last four years. So this was a bitter defeat to the Maldon players.

Some strange refereeing decisions didn't help what a broken scrappy game, but it was Billericay who made the most of there chances and didn't make the amount of mistakes that the Maldon players did.

Billericay started the game kicking off to Maldon and after some good play Maldon found themselves with a penalty in front of the posts. Unfortunately young fly-half Richard Stott missed the kick leaving the scores at 0-0. A turn over by Billericay a few minutes eventually saw Billericay awarded a penalty in front of the Maldon posts which they kicked to give them a 3-0 lead.

Maldon began to raise their game with the forwards working well in the scrum and line-out and getting clean ball for the backs. A second penalty opportunity was given to Stott and he held his nerve to even the match.

Unfortunately the Maldon game deteriorated and as the ball was spun wide it was often knocked forward or the pass was too high or low and with the Billericay backs up early the ball was either turned over or the player was tackled behind the game line. The result of one fumble gave Billericay the ball and a couple of missed tackles allowed them to score the first try of the match in the right-hand corner giving them a 8-3 lead.

Just before half time Stott closed the gap by kicking his second penalty leaving Maldon 8-6 down at the interval.

With the score so close both teams knew that whoever scored the next try would have the advantage. Ten minutes into the second half the Billericay forwards were driving towards to Maldon try line. The referee deemed a Maldon player had pulled the maul down and awarded Billericay a penalty try which was unconverted extending Billericay's lead to 13-6 and leaving Maldon with an uphill battle to get back into the game.

Another string of errors allowed Billericay to effectively seal the win as they score a converted try leaving Maldon 20-6 down with twenty minutes to play.

Again Maldon tried to up their game and shortly after it was the turn of the Maldon forwards to drive towards the Billericay line. Again the referee thought a defending player had deliberately pulled down the maul and awarded Maldon a penalty try which was converted making the score 20-13.

The errors soon returned in the Maldon back-line play and a penalty from Billericay killed off any Maldon comeback and to add insult to injury some poor tackling saw Billericay score a converted try in the last play of the game to give them a deserved win.

Maldon will be hoping to get their Essex 1 league campaign back on track with the fourth game of the season away to East London.

It was also doom and gloom for Maldon 2nd XV who, after being unbeaten until last week, lost their second game in a row away to Bancroft 2nd XV in the Essex Cup.

Maldon 41 - Upper Clapton 7

Maldon got to a flying start in their first league game of the new season. Maldon had a superb first five minutes with the forwards dominating the opposition in the scrum and lineout, securing good possession and territory, which led to a solo try from fly half Neil Morris who ran straight and broke a few tackles before scoring under the posts. He converted his own try to put the score 7-0 after 8 minutes. More Maldon pressure followed from the restart with a barraging drive from the forwards straight from the kick off. The ball was passed out to Maldon full back Nick Halls who chipped ahead. The ball was collected by an Upper Clapham player who was engulfed by a wave of Maldon players. The ball was held up and a scum was awarded to Maldon who scrummaged solidly again before the ball was spun out to the fly half, who executed a neat miss move to the full back Nick Halls who came into came into the line and wrong footed a couple of Upper Clapton players to score an exciting try under the posts. The conversion was added by Neil Morris to put the score 14-0 to Maldon after just 12 minutes played.

Upper Clapton were unable to regain possession from the restart and Maldon attacked again. A darting break from a scrum was followed by a pass to right wing Richard Stott who kicked ahead and followed up his own kick well forcing the Upped Clapton full back to touch down over his own line. Maldon won their scrum and No 8 Chris Pearson picked up and passed to fly half Neil Morris who went over to put the score 19-0. The conversion was missed but it was not long before Maldon scored again. A kick deep from a Maldon penalty shortly after the restart bounced kindly for Neil Morris chasing his own kick who out ran the cover defence to touch down for his hat trick to put the score 24 - 0 to Maldon. The conversion was missed.

The ball was collected by Maldon from the restart and was recycled and passed out to fly-half Neil Morris. Upper Clapton collected the ball and kicked to touch. A driving maul from the lineout lead to another Maldon try from hooker John Elliott which put the score 29-0 to Maldon. Once again the conversion was not added. Upper Clapton began to lose their cool and had a player sin binned following which there was some in-fighting in the Upper Clapton team. Maldon were unlucky to not score further tries on two occasions before a well worked move and some neat back play lead to a try for veteran Steve Harris playing on the left wing to put the score at 34-0 which is how the score remained until half-time. The second half was very different which long periods in which neither team were able to assert themselves. Upper Clapton finally drove over for their first try which was converted to put the score 34-7. Maldon fought back immediately with a No. 8 pick up from Chris Pearson who fed to the fly-half who broke a couple of tackles before linking with Richard Cohen, who passed to fellow flanker John Fletch who made a storming run before passing to his left to Matt Morris who crossed the try line and ran around the back to score under the posts. The conversion was added to put the score 41-7 which is how it stayed until the end of the match.

Thurrock III 10 - Maldon II 31

After a good win over Ilford last week Maldon second team were back in action in their second merit table game of the season away to Thurrock third team.

Confidence was high and Maldon started well against the much heavier Thurrock team. Aggressive rucking from the forwards and good tackling all around let Thurrock know they were in for a game.

The Maldon forwards completely dominated the first half proving that technique, communication and team work can beat any side regardless of their size. The Maldon scrum and line out was solid and the only decent ball Thurrock got was when the Maldon forwards relaxed and allowed them easy ball.

The Maldon backs began to find chinks in the Thurrock line and the first score was from centre Mike Farmer who took the ball at pace and cruised through the Thurrock back line to score under the posts. The conversion was added by Richard Stott to give Maldon an early lead 7-0.

Ten minutes later veteran fly-half Jerry Wood produced another piece of magic chipping the Thurrock defence and collecting his own ball on the Thurrock line for Maldon’s second try.

The Maldon forwards upped yet another gear and patiently and composedly began to drive the Thurrock pack about. A Maldon line-out on the Thurrock 22-metre line was collected cleanly but the initial drive was held by Thurrock. A regroup and squeeze tightened the Maldon pack and a hard and fast drive bashed straight through the defence. Thurrock regrouped behind the drive but a peal to right continued the drive allowing Maldon to cross the line and hooker Richard Cohen to score Maldon’s third try.

Just before half time a good move from the Maldon backs allowed full back Richard Stott to break the Thurrock line and score under the posts. Stott converted his own try leaving Maldon 24-0 up at half time.

Maldon did not dominate the second half as much as the first, partly due to the substitution of influential second row Simon Peacock who had proved to be the lynch-pin in the Maldon forwards.

Several mistakes from the entire Maldon team allowed Thurrock back in the game and score two tries of their own in the first half an hour of the second half.

A late try from winger Andrew Yardley sealed the win for Maldon and with exception of the slight dip in form in the second half, was another good win.

Ilford Wanderers II 15 - Maldon II 38

Maldon II team started their season with a well deserved win in the Merit Table league away against Ilford Wanderers II. Maldon were guilty of a slow start and found themselves struggling to cope with a far heavier pack, the majority of whom appeared to be South Africans, who are well known for their direct and forward driven style of play. Ilford opened the scoring with a well orchestrated driving maul from a lineout about 20 metres out from the Maldon try line. Ilford were unable to convert which put the score at 5-0. Maldon fought back well after this set back and there followed a period of play in which Maldon dominated possession for about 20 minutes but found themselves unable to capitalise and score. Against the run of play Ilford were awarded a penalty, which was quickly taken whilst Maldon’s backs were turned and which resulted in another Ilford try which once again went unconverted to put the score 10-0 to Ilford.

A Maldon fight back followed with a couple of searing runs from outside centre Mike Farmer and some nice interplay between forwards and backs, which resulted eventually in a kick ahead by Jerry Wood, which trickled over the try line in the right hand corner. Toby playing on the wing was obstructed as he ran through in an attempt to touch the ball down and Maldon were awarded a penalty try. The conversion was added to put the score 10-7 to Ilford. Further Maldon pressure led to a Maldon turn over at the ruck. The ball was shipped out quickly by scrum half and Captain Craig Eardley to fly half Jerry Wood standing at the blind side who passed to inside centre Ben Rogers who foxed his opposite number with a dummy before cleverly chipping the ball over the fall back’s head, the ball bouncing nicely for the right winger Toby who collected the ball and went over for a thrilling score at the end of the second half. The try was converted to put Maldon 14-10 ahead at the break.

After the break things got better for Maldon, who now had the wind and the slight slope in their favour. A passage of interplay between forwards and backs led to a constant driving maul under the Ilford posts which eventually resulted in Josh Tisdell going over for a try which was converted to put the score 21-10.

5 minutes later Steve Harris, full back convert to flanker, capitalised upon an Ilford mistake when the Ilford scrum half mistook him for one of his own players. Steve Harris collected the pass and had the gas to run in under the posts unopposed from 20 metres out. The conversion was added to put the score 28-10.

The Maldon backs began to really enjoy themselves in the last period of the second half. The next score came from a simple move with the ball being passed through the hands to right winger Andrew Yardley who had come on for Toby (who was concussed a few minutes earlier) who scored in the right hand corner. The try went unconverted to put the score 33-10.

The next Maldon try occurred in similar circumstances with the ball being shipped right before a deep kick ahead by winger Andrew Yardley. An Ilford player fumbled the ball which was picked up by Maldon hooker Sam Bennett who popped the ball out of contact to Andrew Yardley who scored in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed.

Ilford fought back at this stage and salvaged a little pride with a late try in the left hand corner which was unconverted to put the final score 38-15.

Rochford Hundred 31 - Maldon 8

Maldon kicked off the new season with a difficult match away to top seeds Rochford Hundred in the first round of the Essex Intermediate Cup.

The difference is class of Rochford who are two leagues above Maldon seemed apparent from the start of the match; Maldon kicked off to Rochford but the defending forwards were not able to get to the catching player before his own forwards surrounded him setting up the maul making it impossible for Maldon to get him to ground. After a brief drive from Rochford sucking in a lot of the Maldon forwards the ball was spun left through the backs hands breaking the Maldon line. With numerous players in support they evaded the Maldon defence and crossed the line with less than a minute of the game played. The try was converted leaving Maldon stunned and 7-0 behind.

Thankfully Maldon did not lose heart as the try was the result of excellent play from Rochford and as they kicked off again the chasing Maldon forwards hit the catching player more aggressively, slowing down Rochford's ball. Taking the ball from the back of the maul the Rochford scrum-half fed the ball inside to a forward running at pace, but an aggressive hit from two Maldon players on the fringe of the maul put him straight to ground and allowed Maldon to ruck over the top and steal the ball. Maldon scrum-half Pete Orrin passed the ball to fly-half Neil Morris who passed onto captain and inside centre Stuart Pearson. A show of ball from Pearson fooled his opposite number but the pass to outside centre Mike Farmer running a pace could not be held and was spilt forward.

The Maldon forwards packed down early for the resulting scrum knowing full well they could not give this well-drilled Rochford team an inch and as the Rochford scrum-half fed in the ball the Maldon eight tightened and drove fiercely boosted by the previous turn over and mini-break by the backs. The Rochford pack, realising they were in for a game, literally crumpled with Maldon props Matt and Ben Ager driving them back several metres. The Rochford number eight had no choice but to pick up but was put straight to ground by flanker James Bennett. Rochford scrambled for the ball and got it to their fly-half who kicked the ball into touch.

Hooker John Elliott threw the ball into lock Simon Peacock who caught cleanly but as the Rochford front jumper went up with Peacock's subtle dummy the Referee deemed Elliott had delayed the throw giving Rochford a free kick.

This put a halt to Maldon's onslaught and allowed Rochford back into the game. For the next twenty minutes Maldon dominated every scrum, won their own line outs and disrupted some of Rochford's. Maldon were driving Rochford in mauls and the backs crossed the gain line on numerous occasions. Rochford's only success was coming from the rucks which they were hitting hard but the Maldon defence simply fanned out allowing Rochford their ball and putting the next runner straight to ground. The Maldon backs were working well with the back row of Chris Pearson, Josh Tisdell and Bennett beginning to link with them but that last pass would always go astray or the support players would run out allowing the well-drilled Rochford defence to hold out.

A penalty conceded from Rochford in front of the posts allowed Neil Morris to slot three points for Maldon but a few minutes later a lapse of concentration from the Maldon pack allowed Rochford to win their own scrum easily and run a move off the back using their support players well and allowing one forward to cross the line for their second try. This was converted leaving the score 14-3 to the hosts.

Maldon knew they were playing well and didn't let this try get to them, immediately working their way back into the Rochford 22 metre line. A Maldon line-out to Peacock was caught cleanly and thrown out to the backs who set it up in the midfield allowing the Maldon forwards to loop round in support. Orrin passed to Elliott who smashed into the Rochford line and was driven on by Maldon. Quick ball from the ruck was picked up by the tactical genius Dave Redfern who, as usual, was in the right place at the right time to drive over the line and score a try in his 27th season of rugby. The conversion was missed leaving Maldon 14-8 behind at half time but still well in the game.

Rochford upped their game in the second half and brought on some fresh legs. A change in prop seemed to steady their scrum slightly and Maldon began to tire.

A penalty in front of the Maldon posts gave Rochford a nine point lead but Maldon just could not get over that try line. Back three Craig Martin, Matt Morris and Andrew Yardely looked dangerous but the difference in levels between the two teams began to show with Maldon tiring more and an under pressure Rochford still able to stop Maldon scoring.

Some fresh legs for Maldon in the form of hooker Sam Bennett and wing Lee Higham couldn't stop Rochford from again upping their game and running in two tries in the last ten minutes of the match, with the last right at the last play of the game giving Rochford a deserved but slightly flattering 31-8 victory.

This was an excellent performance from Maldon who put on a fine display for the Rochford crowd. There is a still lot to work on with three weeks until their first league game at home to Upper Clapton on 23rd September but this will give them a lot of confidence for that match.