The evening of Thursday 18th April saw Maidstone Rugby bring the curtain down on what has been a mixed season for the club. With 65 in attendance the club recognised the efforts of the members both on and off the pitch across the year.

Of the Players Awards, Sam Weston picked up the Head Coach’s award, whilst Ben Court (Veterans XV), Sidney Goossens (Barbarian XV),  Ryan Harrison (Mustangs XV) and Jamie Marzetti (1^st XV) were rewarded with the respective team awards.

The David Arnold Young Player Award was awarded to winger Josh Smith; just reward for his hard work in recovery from serious injury a couple of years ago, and his performances with the 1^st XV during the current season.

Of the other Club Awards; the Bernard Hinks Awards went to the Youth Section’s Pete Brown for the Non-Player, with Sidney Goossens (Other XVs) and Jamie Marzetti (1^st XV) presented with the trophies for both on and off the pitch  performances.  The Centenary Cup  for the team of the season being the reward for the Kent Development Cup winning Under 16s side.and had been presented at their awards night the previous weekend.

The Harry Green Memorial Cup, which is not an annual presentation and awarded to a member for their commitment to the club over a sustained period, was presented to Richard Ewence in recognition of his long term contribution in several areas of the club, not least his organisation of the successful Spitfire Veterans Trophy, which the club hosts on behalf of Kent RFU.

In what was an unexpected and unprecedented presentation, Bob Hayton was presented with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for his longstanding contribution to the club across a range of areas.

RFU Cup National Semi-Finals:

Intermediate Cup:  Too use an old cliché Old Colfeians entertained SW champions Matson in what was a very much a game of two halves.  Colfes with home advantage stretched out to a first half 18-0 lead with two tries and a couple of converted penalties.  Matson came back in the second half with two tries in the third quarter and then a penalty try swung the game in the visitors favour 18-19.  Colfes chased the game in the closing minutes and came close when a long range penalty rattled the post before going wide, leaving the home side on the wrong side of fine margins, losing out 18-19.  Matson now go on to face Kenilworth who were narrow 39-34 victors against South Shields Westoe in a hard fought contest.

Senior Vase: Portsmouth hosted Honition in this semi-final and an early converted penalty to give them a 3-0 advantage was the only time in the match the home side led.   A converted try and a penalty plus another Pompey penalty saw the teams change ends with the score at 6-10.  An early second half penalty stretched the lead further before Portsmouth levelled the score at 13-13, a further exchange of converted tries took the score to 20-20 before Honiton stretched out to win the match 20-30.  Honiton will face Northallerton, who were 41-30 winners against Midlands club Leicester Forest.

Junior Vase:  It wasn’t all doom & gloom for the regions clubs as reeds Weybridge travelled to face Old Cryptians in the Junior Vase semi-final.  The Weybridge outfit always appeared to have control of this match and an early penalty set them on their way althougha Cryptians try midway through the half gave them a shortlived 5-3 advantage before Reeds replied just before half-time, to go into the interval with the score at 5-8.  Neither side was able to breach the others defence in the second half, but three converted Reeds penalties was enough to secure their Twickenham berth 5-17.  Reeds will face Yorkshire club Thornensians, who were 12-33 winners over Mellish.

Note:  Apologies for the delay in this week’s missive and the weekly blog may well be delayed for the next two weekends as I will be experiencing the hospitality at Blackheath and Canterbury on those dates.

Director of Rugby – “Goodbye and Thank-you”.

In many ways, this has been a difficult season, as the Club as a whole, has needed to dig deep on a number of fronts. It was hard to predict how well the season would go following the relegation of the 1^st XV and with some key players moving on (not least of which the captain). However, it soon became apparent that the targets set by the coaching team were unrealistic and that we needed a different approach to ensure that we could remain competitive, whilst re-building with a group of largely young and inexperienced players. As such, a new coaching team was put together, which had an almost immediate impact on our performance and ensured that we were able to stay in the current league, which was the primary objective as we looked to consolidate and move forward.

To achieve this is testament to all involved not least, the players, who have had to step up, particularly in the first half of the season, when we were hampered by unavailability and injury issues, with the brunt being borne by the Mustangs, Barbarians and Veterans, as they selflessly ensured that we could fulfil our playing obligations. Thanks to their efforts, the new coaching structure and with continued support from the Committee, we have stabilised and now have a firm platform to move forward from. Much work still needs to be done to ensure a sustainable player base but we are certainly moving in the right direction and plans are already underway as we prepare for next season.

As for me, whilst I did not anticipate quite how challenging the season might be, I have thoroughly enjoyed my second tenure in the role of Director of Rugby and firmly feel that the Club, having now ridden the storm is in a very good place. Sometimes, you have to take stock and re-visit what is important – which for me, given our status as a community rugby club, is about players enjoying their rugby and doing the very best that they can (at whatever level) under the banner of the ‘one club’ ethos. I have been around the Club as a player, Head Coach, Chairman and Director of Rugby for over 30 years and I can honestly say that I have never seen the Club happier, more content and comfortable in its own skin as it is now.

As I look to move away, the reins are now being passed to my successor, Pete Barford as the new Director of Rugby, who I know will do a fantastic job in moving the playing side of the Club further forward, supported by a dynamic committee and passionate set of coaches.  In leaving the role, I would like to thank all the players, for believing in themselves, for trusting in change and embracing the one club culture, which is the ‘beating heart’ of this Club that I have so much affinity for.

I wish you all the best for the 2019/20 season and the new heights that I am sure you will attain as a collective.

“Come on you stones……….”

Andy Golding

There are those that say that in Veterans Rugby you see the same skills & guile but without the searing pace: well this year’s finale to the Shepherd Neame sponsored Spitfire Gold Veterans Trophy tournament saw pace aplenty in what were four excellent finals played on a chilly but bright Sunday afternoon.

In what is now the fifth year of this competition it was pleasing to see relatively few walkovers in the pool stages, with the overwhelming majority of matches being played in a tournament that was slightly restructured this season, with new clubs signing up to the competition that now has a waiting list for entrants.  What was additionally pleasing was that many of those new admissions to the competition had progressed to the finals and that it wasn’t just a repeat of the same old faces.

First up was the Shield Final between newcomers Gillingham Anchorians and Charlton Pk, the early stages were of the match were quite competitive but it was evident as the match progressed that the SE London club had just a little too much power and pace for the Medway based club, eventually running out 40-7 winners to take the trophy.

The Bowl Final was robustly contested between two evenly matched sides in Whitstable and Vigo and was a thrilling encounter with no quarter given by either sides.  Vigo always appeared to have the edge stretching to a 10-0 lead but were pegged back at the interval to 10-10.  An early score for the ‘villagers’ gave them 15-10 advantage but the ‘oystermen’ had their moments and were always in with a shout, with Vigo despite creating opportunities, never quite able to put the game out of reach; so it was there was something of a sigh of relief when the final whistle sounded.

The Plate Final saw perennial finalists O Gravesendians and Sevenoaks battle it out, OGs took an early advantage and held sway 15-7 at the interval.  The second half saw them very much on the defensive and their efforts weren’t helped by a couple of yellow cards followed by a delay in the action for a injury requiring the ambulance.  It was after that that Sevenoaks turned the screw to lead 15-24 and despite a late OG try it was Oaks that took the trophy 22-24.

The Cup Final was a cracking match between Thanet Wdrs, who regularly feature on finals day, and Westcombe Park making their debut.  In what was a great advert for veterans rugby this was a remarkably open game with Combe holding the advantage throughout and just that bit more clinical when the opportunities presented themselves.  Going into half-time with a 17-5 lead they were able to hold at bay a Thanet side that just lacked guile and incision to unlock an organised Combe defence, with Westcombe Pk eventually running out 27-10 winners.

Our thanks go to Shepherd Neame for their continued  support for this popular competition which is run by Maidstone Rugby on behalf of Kent RFU.

National 1:  No change at the top of the table as Ampthill posted a big 57-12 win over Sale, Elthamians maintain station in second place following their 19-28 win at Bishops Stortford.  With Rosslyn Pk losing 31-20 at struggling Caldy, the promotion battle is now realistically a two horse race as Blackheath, who moved up to third following Park’s loss and their own 28-7 win over Rotherham, are eight points adrift with three to play.  The bottom end of the table the relegation battle is still to be decided, current basement club Esher posted a welcome 34-29 win against Chinnor, whilst just above them Loughborough St lost out 26-20 to Plymouth Albion.  Cambridge’s 21-22 loss to fellow struggler Moseley sees them drop below Caldy and into the drop zone and with three matches to play it really is perm any three from six for the drop.  The last of the fixtures saw Conderford 29-26 winners against DMP.

NB: I had said last week that Esher were relegated, that should have read ‘all but relegated’

National 2(S):  A 38-24 result saw Rams clinch the league title, whilst the defeat for B&S also sees them consigned to relegation as they fill the last of the relegation places at the bottom end of the table.  In second spot and due to face the league champions next week, things didn’t look like they were going to plan for Canterbury as they had to come from behind against Barnes to clinch the playoff place with a 22-31 win and will now face Chester on 4^th May.  TJs in third did all they could to keep the pressure on, with a hefty 55-12 defeat of Clifton, whilst fourth placed Henley posted a similar score as the downed O Albanians 21-50.  At the bottom of the table both Ldn Irsih WG and Guernsey shipped 50-points in defeat against BSE (53-7) and Taunton (19-50) respectively.  With B&S losing, Dings’ 33-36 defeat at Worthing was irrelevant, as was O Redcliffians  51-24 defeat of Redruth. 

London Premier:  At the head of the division a 31-38 win at Bedford Athletic saw S&E crowned league champions taking the automatic promotion place, whilst Wimbledon were held to a 12-12 draw at Tring meaning they just miss out on the runner up place as Westcliff will face Barnstaple in the promotion playoff, after they were 26-33 winners at Dorking.  The relegation places were sorted some time ago so the remaining matches were largely an honours only affair.  Tunbridge Wells fell to a narrow 33-32 defeat at Hertford and will finish in seventh spot, with county rivals Sidcup in eighth following their 20-8 win against bottom club Shelford.  The remaining matches saw relegated Chingford post a handy 43-12 win against Guildford, whilst fellow relegated club Brentwood lost out 47-21 at CS Stags. 

London 1(S): This division went down to the last day in what had been a tight four way battle for some time; Sevenoaks held their nerve and beat Thurrock 10-26 to clinch the league title by three points from Brighton, who came from 24-12 down at fellow challengers Camberley to post a 24-26 win and take the playoff place and will now travel to face Ldn1 (N) runner up Colchester.  Having set the pace for much of the season, three losses in the closing stages saw Medway’s dissolve as they went down 29-28 at Havant.  Elsewhere in the table, bottom club Hove lost out 45-41 to fellow relegated clb Chobham, with Tottonians ending the season on a high with a 7-23 win at dartfordians who finished just above the drop zone.  Westcombe Pk lost out 18-16 at Chichester whilst the last of the fixtures saw Cobham fall to a heavy 67-24 defeat at Ldn Cornish.

Ldn & SE Playoffs: The promotion playoff fixtures clubs at Level 7 and below took place today with Horsham hosting the runner up from Farnham who had finished runners up to KCS OB in Ldn 2(SW), the Sussex club started quickly and always had the upper hand as they established an early lead, scoring at regular intervals to seal promotion with a 44-17 win.  In the other match of interest Anchorians hosted Sussex based Crawley in a match that was always tight with the Kent club just shading the result 23-21 to win promotion to Ldn 3 (SE).  In the other playoff fixtures, Ldn 2(NW) club move up to Ldn 1(N) after a crushing 60-6 win against Romford & Gidea Pk, Holt will join fellow Norfolk club Wymondham in Ldn 2(NW) after a 31-22 win over E London whilst Weybridge Vandals will move up to Ldn 3(SW) following their 18-22 win at Sandown & Shanklin.

Maidstone Titans U16’s are a side that have been building in ability and confidence over the last couple of seasons and a set of impressive displays saw them reach the Kent Development Cup final at Ashford.. Somewhat bizarrely it was a 3-way final (less said about that the better!) between Maidstone, Old Elthamians and Sevenoaks.

Maidstone took on Elthamians in their first match and despite losing Matt McGuire with a dislocated shoulder in the first 5 minutes, played well in a very tight game and with an impressive defence held a strong OE’s team to a 0–0 draw.

Sevenoaks then beat Elthamians meaning Maidstone needed a win with 2 tries and a conversion.

Maidstone had huge support from across the club and as the noise level rose so did the tension. Fortunately the players stayed focused with an early try but a strong Oaks team pulled back a try. Maidstone lost 2 further players, but this is now a team with belief and a great team ethos, they pulled together, defended with intensity and looked to attack at every opportunity. Two more Maidstone tries followed and at the final whistle Maidstone won 19 – 7.

A well-deserved win for a great set of lads who have grown in stature this season.

National 1:  A 26-40 BP win over for Ampthill over struggling Moseley keeps them at the top with the gap widening to five points after Elthamians failed to get the BP in their 22-17 win against Cinderford, and with the Hertfordshire side looking to have the more comfortable last two fixtures the title is pretty much theirs to lose.  Third placed Rosslyn Pk were 37-28 winners against Cambridge with Blackheath in fourth posting a 23-33 win at Chinnor.  At the bottom of the table Esher’s 43-29 loss to fellow strugglers Loughborough St sees them relegated, whilst the students and Caldy still have survival hopes with Caldy posting a useful 14-22 win at DMP.  Both Cambridge and Moseley are still in danger and none of the relegation threatened clubs has a particularly comfortable run in.  In the other results Sale were 31-22 winners against Plymouth Albion, whilst Rotherham beat Bishops Stortford 41-35.

National 2(S):  A 21-45 win at Clifton saw Rams wrap up the league title with two weeks remaining whilst Canterbury’s 35-23 win over BSE means that all being well they should clinch the playoff spot next week.  Tonbridge Juddians 23-37 win at Redruth means they remain third and in a position to pounce should their county rivals slip up, as indeed are Henley after a 60-28 win over Guernsey also sees the Channel Island club now relegated.  In the other results affecting the bottom clubs, relegated Ldn Irish WG lost heavily, going down 5-61 to visiting O Albanians.  A 5-41 loss for B&S to visiting Barnes means they are all but down but a positive result next week for both Dings and O Redcliffians will seal they fate.  Both clubs lost out today, as Dings fell to a 32-20 loss at Taunton, whilst O Redcliffians lost out 39-33 at Worthing.

London Premier:  At the head of the table on the penultimate weekend, leaders S&E slipped to a 19-25 loss against fourth placed Tring, meaning they still need a positive result next week to secure the title.  The battle for the playoff position sees Wimbledon and Westcliff still locked together, as they posted BP wins against Hertford (31-39) and relegated Chingford (46-12) respectively.  The relegation issues have already been decided, nevertheless, bottom club Shelford posted only their second win of the season with a 28-27 win against Dorking.  Brentwood lost out 34-54 to visiting Bedford Ath, whilst in the mid-table encounters Tunbridge Wells moved above county rivals Sidcup with a 17-10 win in the match between the two clubs.  Elsewhere Guildford were 34-24 victors against CS Stags.

London 1(S): In what is the tightest promotion battle in the region, each week’s results effectively torpedo one candidate’s promotion aspirations, last week it was Brighton’s whilst this week it looks like Medway fall by the wayside as they lost out 13-24 to Camberley and slip to fourth place with Camberley in second place.  Brighton sit third after a 21-39 win over relegated Chobham, but its Sevenoaks that top the table on points difference from Camberley, after a 36-17  win against Chichester.  At the bottom of the division Hove came within a whisker of their first win in the campaign with a 33-33 draw against visiting Ldn Cornish, Chobham lost and Tottonians relegation was confirmed after they fell to an 18-25 loss to Havant.  The remaining fixtures saw Cobham lose out narrowly, 29-32 to Thurrock, whilst Dartfordians lost 48-17 to local rival Westcombe Pk.

London 2(SE): At the top, champions Beckenham signed off with a 55-12 win against Gravesend but the real interest was in the playoff battle; Horsham were in pole position and a 76-12 win against Maidstone meant that Charlton Pk’s 39-26 win against Haywards Heath was incidental. At the bottom relegated H&W and Aylesford lost out against Dover (42-45) and D&B (28-15) respectively.  In the remaining fixture Colfes fell to a 26-10 loss at Thanet.

London 3(SE): Champions Crowborough concluded their campaign with a 24-17 win against O Wills, whilst Beccehamians secured promotion with a tight 12-13 win at Bromley rendering Folkestone’s equally tight 27-29 win at Vigo meaningless.  In the last of the fixtures Pulborough beat relegated Lewes 25-40.

Kent 1:  Champions Ashford were 3-36 winners at HSBC whilst Anchorians posted a 7-27 win against Foots Cray as they prepare to host Crawley in next week’s promotion playoff.  Relegated Sheppey had no fixture so the remaining fixtures were honours only, Cranbrook swapped places with their opposition in third & fourth places after losing out 19-27 to Southwark, whilst Kings Coll beat NAG 39-0 and Whitstable were 27-12 winners over OGs.

Kent 2: Having secured the title last week, Cliffe fell to only their second defeat of the season, going down 30-22 to second placed Faversham, third placed Lordswood had no fixture whilst Sittingbourne in fourth beat bottom club Askean 5-34.  The remaining fixtures saw Brockleians beat Bexley 17-27 and Dartford Valley lose out 6-10 to visiting Greenwich.

Following an invitation to clubs to send a party to Twickenham Stadium, a few of the club’s Ground Volunteers led by the Club President took the opportunity to be hosted for the evening by the RFU.  A reception in the players tunnel and drinks pitchside was followed by a Q&A session in the England dressing room in the company of former England international captains, Nigel Melville (RFU DoPR), Sue Day (RFU CFO) and Phil de Glanville (RFU PGB).

This was followed by a tour of the recently revamped and extremely impressive East Stand Hospitality facilities ending up for food and refreshments in the new Union Bar.

All in all a great evening, and a nice way to say thanks to those that put their time in behind the scenes.

National 1:  The big match here was leaders Ampthill hosting third placed Rosslyn Pk, with Elthamians hoping the London club would do them a favour, in the end the result went the way of the league leaders by the narrowest of margins 21-20, although the lack of a BP meant that Elthamians 9-40 win at Caldy closed the gap to four points.  Despite the loss Rosslyn Pk stay third thanks to Blackheath’s 12-21 home defeat by Bishops Stortford, a result that effectively ends any slim hopes ‘Club’ may have had of promotion.  At the bottom there remains five clubs in the relegation dogfight; Esher look favourites to go down despite a tight 31-29 win against Sale, whilst Loughborough’s 29-50 win at Chinnor lifts them off bottom spot.  Currently occupying the last of the relegation places is Caldy, but both Cambridge, who won 29-15 against DMP, and Moseley who went down 54-28 at Plymouth, are still flirting with the drop zone. The last of the matches saw Cinderford 36-19 winners against Rotherham.

National 2(S):  A 28-10 win at Redruth means Rams need two points at next week’s match against Clifton to secure the league title.  Canterbury stay second after a 5-19 win at O Albanians, with TJs in third along with Henley after both posted wins against Worthing (31-28) and Ldn Irish WG (52-0) respectively.  At the foot of the table Ldn Irish WG’s defeat means they are now relegated, whilst Guernsey’s 27-22 win against Dings means their survival hopes are still alive, as are B&S’s after they beat BSE 26-29.  I mentioned a 54-point survival threshold last week and Dings and Worthing still haven’t achieved that, neither have O Redcliffians despite a useful 22-17 win against Taunton;  above them, Barnes look safe, despite a 15-22 loss to visiting Clifton.

London Premier:  With two matches left, today’s 23-39 win over Wimbledon sees S&E as all but champions elect with an eight point buffer to second placed Wimbledon who are now locked together with Westcliff who beat CS Stags 25-36, in the battle for the playoff against either Barnstaple or Maidenhead.  With the relegation matters already decided in the table, the rest of the days results were really an honours only matter.  At the foot of the division, Shelford and Chingford locked horns, with the Essex club 41-17 winners whilst Brentwood went down to a heavy 73-17 loss at fourth placed Tring.  In the mid-table encounters Sidcup posted a handy 29-13 win against Hertford, with fellow Kent club Tunbridge Wells also winning as they beat Dorking 18-23.  The last of the matches saw Bedford Athletic 63-7 winners against Guildford.

London 1(S): Given there are clashes amongst the top four clubs during the run in for the title, each of the final weeks of this campaign is likely to see someone’s promotion/playoff challenge torpedoed; this week it was Brighton, who hosted leaders Medway and lost out 31-38 to see their visitors keep a one point advantage at the head of the division.  Camberley and Sevenoaks stay locked together in second & third, with Oaks 20-28 winners at Dartfordians and Camberley 38-28 winners against Tottonians, a result that also effectively sees the Hampshire club all but relegated.  At the foot of the table Hove remain winless after an 80-31 loss at Thurrock, whilst Chobham lost out 25-21 at Ldn Cornish.  In mid-table Chichester just lost out 34-35 to visiting Cobham, whilst Havant beat Westcombe Pk 28-7.

London 2(SE): Beckenham’s 0-59 win at Maidstone clinched the league title whilst playoff contenders Horsham and Charlton Pk maintained their momentum with big wins against Colfes (38-62) and Dover (28-59) respectively and will see the playoff spot decided on the final weekend.  The battle for the playoff spot in Ldn 2(SW) is equally tight, with KCS OB having taken the title, but just 3 points separating the playoff contenders and the top four clubs in action against each other on the final weekend.  At the foot of the division the bottom two faced off with Aylesford 32-7 winers over H&W.  In the remaining fixtures there were big wins for D&B and Haywards Heath against Gravesend (55-17) and Thanet (65-3) respectively.

London 3(SE): At the top of the table Crowborough did what was needed to take the title, with a 31-33 win at Folkestone, which all but ends their promotion chances after Beccehamians were 31-24 winners over H&B.  Bromley who had no fixture this week would have watched closely for that result, and can breathe easy going into the final weekend knowing their place in the division is secure and that H&B will be dropping down a level along with Lewes, who conceded their fixture with O Wills.  In the remaining fixtures, Pulborough beat Dunstonians 33-39 and Park Hse after delaying Crowborough’s celebrations last week, ended fourth placed Vigo’s slim promotion hopes this week with a 35-29 result.

Kent 1:  Champions Ashford had no fixture this week but a big 53-12 win for Anchorians over Kings Coll secures the playoff spot for them (likely against Crawley).  At the bottom, relegated Sheppey went down 62-7 at Whitstable whilst Foots Cray lost out 47-12 at OGs.  The remaining fixtures saw third placed Cranbrook 0-35 winners at NAG, whilst Southwark beat HSBC 40-14.

Kent 2: All the promotion issues were resolved on this penultimate weekend of the season, as league debutants Cliffe took the title with a tight 20-17 win over third placed Lordswood, whilst Faversham capped a good season, taking the runners-up spot with a solid 5-45 win at Sittingbourne.  At the foot of the table both the bottom two clubs shipped 50-points as Askean went down 59-10 at Brockleians and Greenwich lost out 57-3 to Bexley.

Below is the list of the most recent 500 Club Winners, as picked by our random number generator.

The proceeds to the club goes to pitch maintenance for the benefit to all.

If you'd like to join, support the club and be in with a chance of winning, please contact Bob Beney at robertbeney@btinternet.com

National 1:  At the top a 26-33 win at DMP for Ampthill keeps them top from Elthamians who beat Cambridge 31-3, whilst a 22-17 win for Rosslyn Pk against Plymouth Albion keeps them third.  Blackheath’s 19-53 win against struggling Loughborough St keeps them in touch in fourth spot and well clear of Rotherham who were 29-5 winners against Caldy.  At the foot of the division Eshers 29-27 defeat at Moseley sees them bottom with Loughborough St just above them; those two now look favourites to go down although the last of the relegation places is still in the balance; currently occupied by Caldy, both Cambridge and Moseley are the other realistic candidates.  In the mid-table encounters, Bishops Stortford beat Cinderford 37-17 and Sale were 31-22 winners against Chinnor.

National 2(S):  A 7-53 win at Worthing keeps rams at the top of the table, with Canterbury in second spot and keeping them honest after a 33-26 win against fourth placed Henley.  Tonbridge Juddians move into third after they effectively ended Taunton’s remote promotion hopes with a 10-22 result.  Someone once told me that 54 points should see a club clear of relegation in this division, that would appear to be just about right as with four matches to play a 38-47 loss to visiting Guernsey sees Ldn Irish propping up the table on 32-points with their day’s opponents just above them.  B&S currently occupy the third relegation place despite a 45-32 win against O Albanians, with O Redcliffians above them after they lost 22-17 at Dings.  In mid-table Redruth lost out 20-22 to visiting Barnes whilst Clifton beating BSE with an equally narrow 24-22 scoreline.

London Premier:  Leaders S&E stay top after they were 21-45 winners at struggling Brentwood, whilst Wimbledon stay second despite a narrow 21-20 loss at Sidcup.  Westcliff are the last of the contenders following their 17-13 win against Bedford Athletic.  Tring and Hertford are the nearest of the chasers with both picking up wins against Guildford (7-39) and Dorking (48-17) respectively.  At the foot of the division all of the relegation places are now sorted, with bottom club Shelford losing 26-41 to CS Stags and Brentwood’s defeat by S&E confirmed the end of their brief spell in the division. Their league rivals of last season, Chingford, will also go down with them, after they lost 26-5 at Tunbridge Wells.

London 1(S): No change at the top as just a single point separates the leading four clubs with Medway’s 24-41 win at Tottonians keeping them a point clear of Sevenoaks who beat Havant 29-7 and Camberley and Brighton who won against Westcombe Pk (28-41) and Ldn Cornsih (31-15) respectively. At the bottom end of the table, already relegated Hove lost 10-43 to visiting Chichester, whilst Chobham’s 24-36 home defeat to visiting Thurrock means their relegation is also confirmed whist Tottonians loss means they look the current favourites to fill the third relegation spot, especially with Dartfordians picking up a useful 25-28 win at Cobham.

London 2(SE): Leaders Beckenham were 29-15 winners against Colfeians and could clinch top spot next week with a positive result, Horsham’s 41-17 win over Haywards Heath keeps them in second spot from Charlton Pk who beat bottom club Aylesford 57-11.  The relegation issues were sorted a while ago with H&W being the other side to go down, and a 13-31 defeat by D&B sees the coastal club in eighth place.  In the other battles, Gravesend were made to work hard for their 22-14 win against Maidstone, whilst Thanet Wdrs beat Dover 22-14 in the last of the fixtures.

London 3(SE): Losing BPs were enough to see leaders Crowborough promoted, although probably not in the style in which they would have wished as they went down to a 26-27 home defeat to struggling Park Hse.  The battle for the other promotion place is between three clubs with Beccehamians leading the charge after they beat fellow contenders Vigo 8-12.  Folkestone are the other club in the battle and sit third following a 14-26 win at bottom club Lewes, a result that sees the Sussex club relegated. In the remaining fixtures, Bromley beat Dunstonians 32-30 whilst Pulborough were 5-19 winners against O Wills. The bearing of results on the relegation battle going into the last two weekends means that O Wills, who have two fixtures left need at least a point, preferably two from their remaining matches, whilst both H&B and Bromley only have a single fixture left and both play Beccs on consecutive weekends.  H&B will need a positive result next week to have any chance of survival leaving Bromley knowing what they need to do the following week.

Kent 1:  Having already secured the title, leader Ashford haven’t taken their foot off the pedal as they crushed relegated Sheppey, running in triple figures in a 3-128 scoreline.  In second spot Anchorians look to have secured the playoff place, although a 28-15 loss at Cranbrook in third, means they still need a point from their last two fixtures to make sure. Fourth placed OGs were 29-50 winners at Kings Coll whilst HSBC beat NAG 26-19.  The last of the fixtures saw an encounter between last season’s promoted clubs with Foots Cray coming out on top with a 24-3 result.

Kent 2:  A hefty 5-57 win at Dartford Valley for leaders Cliffe means they are just 3-points from securing the title in their debut season, Faversham sit second after a 34-7 result against Brockleians, with Lordswood in third after they beat fourth placed Sittingbourne 31-20. In the only other fixture Askean went down to a 12-29 defeat to Bexley.

National 2(N):  I have only included the results from this division because it has a bearing on who the runner-up from the South division will meet in a playoff. The fixture between Wharfedale and Stourbridge is really incidental and again fell foul of the weather. The fixture of interest was that between Tynedale and Huddersfield and was a tight contest finishing with just a point separating them in favour of visiting Huddersfield 14-15 and sees them close the gap on the top three clubs in a title race that could well go down to the wire.

Ldn & SE Regional Finals:

At grassroots level it was a big day with the regional finals in the RFU Cup competitions, with two of the three finals going with home advantage.

Intermediate Cup:  The county’s only interest in the finals came with Colfes, who travelled to face Letchworth, who had beaten Charlton Pk in the seni-final with the last kick of the game.  In blustery conditions Colfes roared into a 0-10 lead with two tries before Letchworth responded to reduce the deficit to 7-10 and thought they had taken the lead on the cusp of half-time but the try was disallowed.  Two quickfire Colfes tries immediately after the interval put them out to a 7-22 lead. That lead stretched further with another try before Letchworth responded with the score 12-29, before a final Colfes try sealed the victory with a 12-34 result.  Colfes will now face Matson who were 28-18 winners against Sherborne on the SW Regional Cup Final

Senior Vase: No county interest here as Portsmouth hosted Essex club Chelmsford; a try for hosts Portsmouth at the end of the first quarter gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish and that was followed by a penalty try before half-time to extend the lead to 14-0.  Chelmsford narrowed the deficit  midway through the third quarter with a try of their own but it was cancelled out as the hosts restored a 14-point advantage on the 60-minute mark.  Chelmsford were on the scoreboard again with ten minutes to go, to make the closing moments interesting, but Portsmouth held on for a 21-14 win and will go on the face Honiton who defeated Chesham 12-24 in their regional final.

Junior Vase:  A rampant Reeds Weybridge side who have already won Surrey 1 had too much for opponents Hitchin as they took the regional title with a comfortable 35-6 win. They go on to face Gloucester based O Cryptians who were 3-22 winners in their regional final against Chipping Norton.

National 1:  The top two clashed with Elthamians knocked off top spot following a 36-6 defeat by their hosts Ampthill, and they’re joined by Rosslyn Pk who were 13-17 winners at Esher whilst a 31-7 win foe Blackheath over Cinderford keeps them in touch in fourth.  A the foot of the division, Esher’s defeat combined with Lougborough St winning 33-17 against Sale sees the bottom two swap places. Of the other clubs in the relegation dogfight, only Moseley posted a win with a 7-41 win at Chinnor, whilst Caldy lost 14-16 to Bishops Stortford and Cambridge went down 20-24 to visiting Rotherham. In the midtable contest Plymouth Albion were 42-29 winners against DMP.

National 2(S):  A 42-21 win for leaders Rams against Taunton maintains their momentum whilst also puncturing the Somerset club’s playoff aspirations.  Canterbury continue to look favourites for that and a 13-45 win at Ldn Irish WG also maintains their momentum. Henley now sit third following a 31-22 win against B&S whilst TJs are fourth following their 26-0 shutout of Dings.  At the basement end, a 24-17 win for Guernsey move them off bottom spot and above Ldn Irish WG with B&S completing the relegation trio some 9-points adrift of Dings and safety. In the mid-table encounters, O Albanians beat Clifton 49-24, BSE lost against Redruth 17-19 and Barnes were 28-26 winners against Dorking.

London Premier:  A 25-29 defeat by visiting Guildford still sees S&E top the table but they are now level on points with Wimbledon, who were 38-22 winners against struggling Brentwood, third placed Westcliff failed to close the gap after they lost out 24-17 at fourth placed Tring.  At the bottom, already relegated Shelford went down 54-19 at Bedford Athletic, whilst Brentwood’s defeat sees them as favourites to join them, along with Chingford who were beaten 15-20 by Hertford.  A welcome 19-31 win for Tunbridge Wells at CS Stags should now see them safe as they have a 12-point buffer between themselves and the bottom three, whilst Sidcup also breathe easier after they won a tight 34-35 contest at Dorking.

London 1(S): The top of the table sees a reshuffle this week with just a single point now separating the top four clubs in what looks like being a nailbiter of a season run in.Camberley’s 17-11 win against Sevenoaks sees them up to third and knocks Oaks off top spot, they’re replaced by Medway who were 38-20 winners against Westcombe Pk.  Brighton sit fourth after a 50-29 win against Tottonians with the result also keeping Totts in relegation trouble.  At the bottom, already relegated Hove went down 75-7 at Dartfordians whilst Chobham’s 39-22 defeat at Chichester means their relegation is confirmed.  The last of the drop zone places looks like being constested by Tottonians, Dartfordians and possibly Cobham, who lost 58-27 at Havant.  In the remaining fixture Thurrock beat Ldn Cornish 64-20.

London 2(SE):  Beckenham continue to head the table despite falling to a  30-20 loss at Haywards Heath, for the two main challengers for the playoff place it was mixed fortunes as Charlton Pk lost ground after a 25-22 loss at D&B, a result that moves the coastal club up a place in the table;  Horsham meanwhile now hold that advantage after a convincing 21-69 win at Dover.  atr the bottom of the table the relegation issues were sorted out, a 5-29 loss for H&W to Gravesend sees them relegated along with bottom club Aylesford who fell to a 0-53 home defeat against Thanet Wdrs, all of which made Maidstone’s heavy 52-7 loss to fourth placed Colfes somewhat academic.

London 3(SE): Leaders Crowborough could habve clinched the league title this week but instead  fell to a 47-29 defeat at Beccehamians who now move into second spot.  Vigo sat this week out so slip to third on points difference whilst Folkestone still remain in the hunt after a 71-7 thrashing of O Wills.  At the foot of the table a heavy 49-6 defeat for Lewes at the hands of Park Hse now sees them 6-points adrift, although their fate is by no means sealed and H&B are by no means safe following today’s 41-17 loss at Dunstonians.  The last of the results saw Bromley lose 14-35 to Pulborough, and it is by no means inconceivable that they could get dragged into the relegation battle.

Kent 1:  Both the top and the bottom of the table issues were sorted this week, as Ashford took the league title after a 19-52 win at Southwark, Anchorians 22-17 win against HSBC pretty much guarantees them the playoff spot, although a point next time out would secure the position.  At the bottom Sheppey lost out 64-7 at Foots Cray and that confirms their relegation after a torrid season.  In the other fixtures, OGs lost 17-33 to Cranbrook whilst Whitstable were 44-24 winners against Kings Coll

Kent 2:  League leaders Cliffe sat out this week allowing the chasing trio to close the gap and all posted wins, with second placed Faversham 11-35 winners at Bexley, third placed Lordswood winning 12-21 at Brockleians and fourth club Sittingbourne posting a 26-19 win against Dartford Valley.  The remaining fixture was a battle between the bottom two clubs and the 10-14 result saw Greenwich draw level on points with Askean.

National 1:  A 40-29 win against Plymouth Albion keeps Elthamians at the top but still locked together on points with Ampthill who they face next week and were 24-36 victors at Rotherham.  Despite third placed Rosslyn Pk’s 38-31 win against Chinnor the promotion battle now looks to be between the top two, whilst Blackheath are some 9-points off the leaders and sit fourth after an 18-32 win at Sale.  The foot of the division remains tight as Loughborough St lost out narrowly at fellow strugglers Moseley 30-29, whilst Esher drop a place after they were beaten 24-17 at DMP, just above the bottom three Caldy and Cambridge are by no means safe, with both losing today as Caldy went down 27-25 at Cinderford whilst Cambridge were solidly beaten 24-6 at Bishops Stortford

National 2(S):  Leaders Rams were 19-48 winners at Dings and second placed Canterbury beat bottom club Guernsey 38-15, Henley stay in contention in third spot after a narrow 35-40 win at Clifton whilst TJs sit fourth following their 24-40 defeat of O Redcliffians.  Taunton are the last of the leading group and posted a tight 20-19 victory over Barnes.  At the foot of the table two of the bottom three faced each other with B&S 33-12 winners over Ldn Irish WG but with the relegation group now some 8-points from safety. In mid-table Redruth beat O Albanians 33-15 and Worthing lost out to visiting BSE 22-24.

London Premier:  The top two went head to head with leaders S&E coming out on top 25-27 over Westcliff whilst Wimbledon’s 31-36 win at Dorking sees them move into second spot at the expense of the Essex club and despite fourth placed Tring’s 14-45 win at relegated Shelford, it really is a battle between the top three for the promotion places.  At the other end of the division both Brentwood and Chingford both lost, as Brentwood lost out 27-21 at Guildford whilst Chingford provided a much needed 26-23 win for Sidcup that arrests their slide towards the drop zone.  Tunbridge Wells now sit closest to the relegation zone after a 31-31 draw with visiting Bedford Athletic, who now look to be relatively safe. In the last of the fixtures Hertford were 29-13 winners against CS Stags.

London 1(S): The start of the day saw three sides locked together at the top of the table and with two going head to head at least one was likely to lose out.  In the clash between Sevenoaks and Medway it was the hosts who prevailed 22-16 and now go clear at the top thanks to Brighton’s 24-22 defeat at Thurrock; a result that combined with Camberley’s 26-34 win at Cobham sees them move into third spot. At the bottom, already relegated Hove narrowly lost out 22-24 to Havant whilst Chobham went down 25-32 to Dartfordians a result that could see Chobham relegated next week and also moved Darts above Tottonians thanks to their 17-13 loss at Westcombe Pk.  The last of the matches saw Ldn Cornish 31-26 winners against visiting Chichester.

London 2(SE):  Leaders Beckenham and contenders Charlon Pk both sat out the week with walkovers as Dover and H&W conceded their respective fixtures. Second placed Horsham however had to get their 5 points the hard way, as they ran out 57-22 winners against bottom club Aylesford.  In fourth place, Colfes faced Gravesend for the second time in as many weeks and their playoff chances took a blow as they lost out 25-19 at Gravesend, in a complete reversal of last week’s 61-15 cup win, whilst Haywards Heath closed the gap in fifth after a 17-33 win at Maidstone. At the bottom end of the table Thanet Wdrs moved up a place after a 13-7 win against third bottom D&B but in terms of the relegation places the fate of the bottom two could be sealed next week.

London 3(SE): whilst leaders Crowborough had no fixture this week Vigo took the opportunity to close the gap with a 34-17 win against Dunstonians, whilst Folkestone’s recent run of form came to an end after a 19-13 loss at Pulborough, a result that sees them slip to fourth with Beccehamians benefiting after they beat bottom club Lewes 24-35.  In the relegation battle both H&B and Park Hse gave themselves some breathing space, with wins against Bromley (17-6) and O Wills (13-31) respectively.

Kent 1:  Leaders Ashford ran in a 96-7 win against NAG and now just require something out of next week’s fixture at third placed Southwark to take the title; Anchorians in second spot sit 19-points adrift and had no fixture today.  OGs slipped to fourth after losing out 34-7 at HSBc whilst southwark took advantage with a 3-89 hammering of bottom club Sheppey, a result that also confirmed their relegation. In the last of the matches, Cranbrook were 14-5 winners against visiting Whitstable.

Kent 2:  Leaders Cliffe ran in 82 points for only 5 in reply against bottom club Greenwich in what was the only match played in the division with both Lordswood and Faversham both receiving walkovers against Bexley and Askean respectively.  Sittingbourne had no fixture and the outcome of the match between Dartford Valley and Brockleians has yet to surface! (04/03: now published: Dartford Valley 11 v Brockleians 21)

This week was a chance to play the previously postponed fixtures at National League level. And is slightly delayed to include the fixture between Henley and Taunton which was a Sunday kick off.

National 1:  Four matches in this division after which Elthamians still head the table but are joined at the top by Ampthill who posted a big 59-7 win over Caldy who sit just above the relegation zone, whilst Rosslyn Pk move into third spot at the expense of Blackheath after a 27-45 win at relegation threatened Moseley.  Rotherham who sit fifth are now probably out of realistic contention following a 48-35 reversal at sixth placed Chinnor, whilst in the last of the matches Sale overcame DMP 32-27.

National 2(S):  The key match up here was between Henley and Taunton, with the result likely to put a dent in one club’s playoff aspirations, the 38-5 result went in favour of the hosts to move them into third spot, dropping TJs to fourth with Taunton still fifth.  At the foot of the table a 28-28 draw for struggling B&S against sixth placed Clfton narrowed the gap to safety slightly, but still sees the midlands club in relegation trouble, the mid-table battle between O Albanians and Dings went the way of the home side 22-12.

Given this weekend saw the leagues catch up on previously postponed fixtures I thought it might be an opportune moment as the respective campaigns hit the home straight, to look at who the contenders are in the relevant leagues that affect likely playoff opposition for the teams in the leagues that I cover on a weekly basis.

Possibly, Perhaps, Maybe: A look at some of the potential champions and playoff contenders, and who might face who in the post season playoffs:

National 2 (S) & (N):  With Rams seemingly now out of reach Canterbury sit in pole position for the playoff spot, although Henley and both Tonbridge Juddians and Taunton are still very much in with a shout but will need Canterbury to slip up at some point in the home straight.  In Nat 2(N) the contest is much tighter in the battle for both the league title and the playoff place; just a couple of points separate the top four with the fight being between Hull Ionians, Huddersfield, Chester and Fylde currently looking like it will go to the wire.

London and SW Premier: It looks relatively clear cut in this division as Bournemouth currently sit well clear in pole position with a 15-point cushion and Barnstaple currently looking favourite for the playoff place given their own 7-point cushion to Ivybridge in third. In Ldn Premier S&E currently hold top spot but with Westcliff and Wimbledon in close formation and all three clubs have a tough closing stretch to the season; it’s a difficult one to call. 

London 1 (S) & (N): In Ldn 1 (N) Rochford Hundred at the top look just about home and hosed whilst the battle for the playoff looks to be between Colchester and Nth Walsham. At the moment Colchester hold the advantage with a 3-point cushion and also look to have the more comfortable run in, but still a fair way to go and by no means a foregone conclusion. In Ldn 1 (S) it still remains a four way contest between Sevenoaks, Medway, Brighton and Camberley, they all just about play each other on the run in, so this one is definitely too close to call.

Ldn 2(SE) & (SW):  Beckenham look favourites to take the title with the playoff place now looking like being contested between Horsham and Charlton Pk. With Park's cup run having now ended, unlike previous seasons, they no longer have any distractions to their league aspirations as we enter the final straight. In Ldn 2(SW) KCS Old Boys have already taken the title but it’s still close for the playoff place between a number of clubs, although it looks like main contenders are Alleynians, Farnham and O Tonbridgians.

Kent 1 & Sussex 1:  From the off this always looked a two horse race, although OGs did feature at one point.  However Ashford look like taking the title at a canter leaving Anchorians in the playoff spot to face their equivalent from Sussex 1.  In Sussex 1, Uckfield look favourites for the league title and a return to the Ldn divisions with Crawley looking the favourites for the playoff place, although Eastbourne are a little off the pace but by no means out of the battle.

Regional Semi-Finals

Intermediate Cup:  Charlton Park’s cup run came to an end with a narrow 20-21 defeat with the last kick of the match in what was a tight contest whilst in the other semi-final it was an all Kent affair that saw Colfes progress after a convincing 61-15 defeat of Gravesend.

Senior Vase: No county representation remained at this level but the regional final will see Portsmouth face Chelmsfotd as the south coast club battled past Battersea Ironsides 19-10 and Chelmsford overcame West Norfolk 29-14.

Junior Vase:  In the first of the semi-=finals OMW fell to a 12-37 loss to Reeds Weybridge whilst in the other match up Anchorian’s cup run came to a shuddering halt with a 68-0 shut out at the hands of Hitchin.

After doing such a stellar job of the Junior fixtures, Craig Rixon will need to step down at the end of the season due to work commitments. The club is truly thankful to Craig for his fantastic efforts in coordinating the youth games.

This means that as of next season, the club wil need a new Youth Fixtures Coordinator. In the role, you’ll be responsible for organising rugby fixtures for all age groups within the Maidstone Youth section. Players will rely on you to ensure the fixtures provide the right standard of rugby, reflecting the needs of each age group. As it’s all about playing rugby, it’s safe to say it wouldn’t be a rugby club without you.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

• ♦Well-organised & Conscientious
• ♦Good at communicating
• ♦Patient
• ♦Enthusiastic
• ♦Knowledge of Excel 
• ♦Familiarity of Maidstone Youth Section volunteers and lead Coaches would be helpful but not necessary

The role is not as daunting as it sounds and we guarantee that you'll receive the gratitude of the players, coaches and supporters alike. You’ll be the source of all knowledge about upcoming matches, keeping the season alive and on schedule. The skills needed to do this role are transferable to any walk of life, so having something like this on your CV is attractive to potential employers.

A full role description can be found here.

National 1:  At the top Elthamians still lead the division after a 17-34 win at struggling Esher, whilst Ampthill’s 34-24 win against Bishops Stortford keeps them in second spot. Blackheath and Rosslyn Pk sit third & fourth with both picking up wins against Caldy (46-32) and Loughborough St (20-46) respectively. At the foot of the division its Loughborough and Esher that occupy the bottom two places with Moseley currently in the last of the relegation places after a 37-30 loss at Sale.  Caldy sit above them but with a 7-point cushion.  In the other fixtures Rotherham slipped off the pace in fifth after a 24-17 defeat at Plymouth Albion, whilst in mid-table DMP were 26-31 winners at Chinnor, and Cambridge beat Cinderford 10-6

National 2(S):  Leaders Rams recovered from last week’s defeat with a 31-15 win against O Redcliffians, whilst Canterbury sit clear in second place after they beat B&S 38-9.  TJs 17-35 win in Guernsey sees them stay third whilst Taunton and Henley sit fourth and fifth respectively after wins against BSE (22-24) and Redruth (21-17).  At the bottom a 26-30 defeat for Ldn Irish WG keeps them in the bottom three with B&S and Guernsey below them and all three at least 13-points adrift of Barnes who won 20-15 against Dings.  in the mid table encounter Albanians and Worthing fought out a 34-34 draw.

London Premier:  S&E sit 4-points clear at the top after a 59-19 win at bottom club Shelford, a result that now effectively relegates the Cambridge based club. Wimbledon and Westcliff are locked together in second & third with Wimbledon convincing 38-7 winners against Guildford whilst Westcliff won 17-34 at struggling Brentwood.  A 45-24 win for Tring over Tunbridge Wells sees them in fourth spot, overhauling Hertford who went down to a narrow 29-26 loss at Bedford Athletic who now sit comfortably in mid-table.  The bottom of the division sees relegated Shelford below Brentwood, with Chingford in the last of the relegation places after a narrow 28-32 loss to visiting Dorking.  Sidcup’s narrow 16-17 loss to CS Stags sees them fourth from bottom along with Tunbridge Wells, but with both having a 6-point buffer  to the drop zone.

London 1(S):   Sevenoaks stay top after a 10-26 win at Tottonians but are locked together on points with Medway who posted a 43-14 win against Cobham, Brighton stay third following their 28-22 victory over Westcombe Pk.  Fourth placed Camberley remain in contention after a 53-15 win against bottom side Hove, a result that now sees the south coast club mathematically relegated. Above Hove, Chobham lost 50-14 at Havant, whilst the last of the relegation places is occupied by Dartfordians who went down to a 26-33 loss to Ldn Cornish, with Tottonians just above them. In mid-table Chichester lost out 20-28 to visiting Thurrock.

London 2(SE):  A 5-29 win for Beckenham at Aylesford keeps them well clear of Horsham and Charlton Pk at the head of the table, with the Sussex club  22-30 winners at D&B and Park 46-12 victors at home to Gravesend, Colfes sit fourth after a tight 13-15 win at Haywards Heath but it looks very much like the promotion places will now be fought out amongst the top three.  At the foot of the table Aylesford and H&W occupy the relegation places after H&W lost out 15-25 to Thanet Wdrs who now look to be safe. In the last of the fixtures Maidstone blew a 20-point lead to lose out 30-31 at Dover.

London 3(SE): A 24-40 win at Dunstonians sees Crowborough 16-points clear at the top from Vigo who lost out 19-15 at Bromley.  The dark horse coming up on the rails though, is Folkestone who were 26-33 winners at Park Hose and are now very much in contention for the second promotion place, with Beccehamians just below them following their 36-7 win against O Wills.  At the bottom Lewes prop up the table and had no fixture, but Park Hse and H&B sit just above them  with H&B posting a welcome 15-5 win over Pulborough.

Kent 1:  The top two did battle and the outcome was a convincing 7-48 win for leaders Ashford over Anchorians, although the second placed club still have a 12-point cushion t0 OGs in third who had no fixture this week, whilst  Southwark’s 13-63 win at NAG sees them level on points with OGs. At the bottom  Sheppey fell to another heavy defeat, going down 83-14 at Kings Coll and any reprieve now looks unlikely despite  Foots Cray’s 19-35 loss against Cranbrook. The last of the fixtures saw Whitstable just edged out 13-15 by visiting HSBC.

Kent 2:  A 19-24 win for leaders Cliffe at second placed Sittingbourne looks like they could well take the title in their debut season, although still a couple of tight fixtures to go.  Lordswood hammered Askean 7-85 to move into third and level on points with Faversham who won 33-7 against bottom club Greenwich. The last of the fixtures saw Bexley 20-12 winners against Dartford Valley.

RFU Cup Competitions (02 Feb)

On an all but blank weekend at the beginning of February the author completely forgot to recap on the RFU Cup competitions. So prior to a catch up on what is now the business end of the respective tournaments I thought I’d take the time to catch up on the last round played on 2^nd Feb, before covering next week’s semi-final matches.

Intermediate Cup: County interest in three of the four fixtures as Charlton Pk continued their good run in this tournament in recent seasons as they convincingly beat O Reigatians 35-0 to move into the semi-final, they will meet Letchworth from L2(N) who overcame Norwich 18-5.  Gravesend also progress after a 20-15 win against O Cranleighians and will travel  to meet league rivals Colfes who were 38-28 winners in an all L2(SE) encounter.

Senior Vase:  Bromley were the county’s sole survivors at the regional Quarter-Final stage but will progress no further after falling to a 24-10 defeat at L3(SW) club Portsmouth.  Pompey will now host Battersea Ironsides who overcame Harrow 15-43.  The other semi-final will see Chelmsford host West Norfolk with both clubs progressing somewhat disappointingly after walkovers against Fakenham and O Cooperians respectively

Junior Vase: Three of the county’s clubs remained at this stage, unfortunately only one progressed, with Anchorians ending up with a walkover against Staines, they will now travel to face Hitchin who overcame Sittingbourne 0-22.  The other semi-final will comprise of OMW who inflicted a heavy 62-7 defeat on Alton and they will host Reeds Weybridge who were 53-20 winners against an Ashford side that had been fancied to do well in the competition this season.

National 1:  Only four fixtures survive the weather this weekend with two of them affecting the county’s sides.  At the top a BP 26-69 win for Elthamians at bottom club Loughborough St sees them move clear of Ampthill, whose fixture fell to the cold spell.  Blackheath were the only other of the top four in action and failed to take advantage as they slipped to a 22-27 loss to visiting Cambridge.  Whilst the losing BP moved them up to third, they are now reliant on other results in their press for promotion.  Cambridge on the other hand will be glad of the points as they look to avoid being entangled in the relegation battle. At the bottom, Esher are now mired in the relegation battle afyer a 14-27 defeat to Bishops Stortford, who, like Cambridge are looking to distance themselves from the danger zone.  In the only other fixture to survive, Plymouth Albion came out on top 21-10 in a mid-table encounter with Cinderford.

National 2(S):  At the top, Rams continue their march to the title with an 8-59 victory over struggling Guernsey who will be glad that the gap to safety hasn’t widened, thanks to defeats for O Redcliffians and Barnes at the hands of BSE (57-7) and TJs (17-29) respectively.  With the clash between Henley and Taunton falling to the weather, the win for TJs moved them up to third spot whilst Canterbury continue to lead the chasing pack in second, after a convincing 46-14 win against Redruth. In the relegation battle, Ldn Irish WG’s 22-19 win against Worthing moves them above Guernsey, but still in the bottom three and 11-points adrift of safety.

Given the prevailing conditions the clubs pitches have been deemed unplayable and all home fixtures for today have been cancelled/postponed.

The club is still open from 2:00pm to watch the Guinness 6 Nations fixtures as follows:

Scotland v Italy, KO 2:15pm & Ireland v England, KO 4.45pm

National 1:  Elthamians continue to lead the table after a 22-3 win against Chinnor, with Ampthill is second spot after they posted a 20-26 win at Cinderford. A 17-27 win for Blackheath at struggling Moseley sees them in third spot from Rosslyn Pk who beat Sale 31-26. At the bottom a 47-30 loss at DMP for Loughborough St sees them still below Moseley with Esher currently occupying the last of the relegation places after they lost out 22-12 at Rotherham.  Above them, wins for Bishops Stortford and Caldy against Plymouth Albion (57-24) and Cambridge (15-12) see them stay clear of the drop zone.

National 2(S):  A 25-19 win for third placed TJs against league leaders Rams really puts them back in contention for a playoff place, although Canterbury remain in second spot after a 17-39 win at Clifton. Taunton remain in contention after a narrow 10-8 win against O Albanians, as do Henley following their 19-42 win at Worthing.  A the foot of the table Guernsey continue to prop up the division after they lost 39-10 to B&S who move above Ldn Irish WG who lost 39-3 at Redruth. With an 11-point gap to safety it looks likely that these are the three clubs for the drop.  In the other fixtures Barnes lost out 23-15 at O Redcliffians, whilst Dings beat BSE 21-14.

London Premier:  At the top end of the table a narrow 13-14 win for S&E at Tunbridge Wells keeps them top , whilst Wimbledon were held to a 17-17 draw at struggling Chingford allowing Westcliff to draw level after they convincingly beat Guildford 32-10.  Those three are well clear of the chasing pack led by Hertford and Tring who ended honours even at 15-15 in the clash between the two sides.  At the bottom Shelford’s 19-18 win against Brentwood was their first win of the campaign but it is really too little too late as they are now all but mathematically relegated.  Brentwood and Chingford currently occupy the other relegation places but still have all to play for with only a 7-point gap to safety as they look to overhaul Sidcup who lost 17-30 to visiting Bedford Athletic who are also still fighting to avoid the drop, and Tunbridge Wells as the highest placed of the clubs still flirting with the drop zone. The last of the fixtures saw Dorking 39-24 winners against CS Stags.

London 1(S):  Leaders Brighton dropped to third after falling to a second successive defeat as they lost out 22-18 at Chichester, Sevenoaks’ 19-10 win against Westcombe Pk sees them top with Medway in second after they were 29-33 winners at bottom club Hove. All three club now sit locked together on 80-points from Camberley in fourth after they posted a convincing 5-57 win at struggling Chobham.  Hove and Chobham now look like two of the three clubs for the drop, with Dartfordians poor recent form combined with today’s 40-21 defeat at Thurrock, now occupying the third relegation place.  Tottonians are also on the edge of the drop zone after a 36-20 loss at Cobham. Those clubs are 5-points adrift of the mid-table clubs where Havant were 50-39 winners against a Ldn Cornsih side that is slipping down the table but look to have enough points in the bag to stay up.   

London 2(SE):  A 50-21 win for Beckenham against D&B keeps them 11-points clear at the top, from Horsham who beat struggling H&W 68-17.  Charlton Park stay third after they were held to a tight 16-17 win at Thanet Wdrs whilst Colfes stay in contention following a resounding 78-0 win against Dover. At the bottom Aylesford were nulled for the second successive match, falling to a 20-0 defeat at Maidstone who move up to eighth and it is beginning to look like the current bottom two of the Bulls and H&W who will be the sides that go down.  The last of the fixtures saw Gravesend fall to a 12-20 defeat to Haywards Heath.

London 3(SE):  A 29-14 win for Crowborough against Bromley sees them 12-points clear at the top, from Vigo who were made to work hard for an 8-5 win against bottom club H&B.  Folkestone’s good form sees them continue to climb the table in third after a solid 34-15 win against Beccehamians with Pulborough in fourth following their 31-19 win against a Park Hse side involved in the relegation battle, as are Lewes, who lost out 17-22 to visiting Dunstonians.  O Wills had no fixture this week.

Kent 1:  A 38-12 win for leaders Ashford against OGs sees their march to the title  continue whilst nearest contenders and next week’s opposition Anchorians won 10-19 at fourth placed Southwark.  At the bottom it was another heavy loss for Sheppey who fell to a 3-30 defeat to visiting NAG, whilst Foots Cray lost out 22-8 at HSBC.  In mid-table Cranbrook posted a heavy 68-12 defeat over Kings Coll, whilst Whitstable had no fixture this week.  

Kent 2:  A 17-13 win for leaders Cliffe against Brockleians keeps them 7-points clear at the top from Sittingbourne who inflicted a heavy 8-64 defeat on bottom side Greenwich. Third placed Faversham slipped up, as they lost out 27-3 at Lordswood whilst Dartford Valley were convincing 41-5 winners against Askean.  Bexley had no fixture.

National 1:  Yet another reshuffle at the top and a new leader, a trend that may well go on for some time given how tight it is between the top four. Ampthill now lead after they were 26-31 winners at Blackheath, whilst Elthamians tight 10-14 win at Moseley sees them second with Club third and Rosslyn Pk fourth after they were edged out 31-32  by visiting DMP.  Of the chasing group Chinnor and Rotherham are the nearest, with both losing as Chinnor suffered a 27-29 loss to Cinderford whilst Rotherham went down to an equally tight 13-12 result at Sale. At the foot of the table Loughborough St anchor the division from Bishops Stortford after the students lost out 26-41 in the clash between the two sides. Moseley occupy the third relegation spot from Esher who won 17-14 against Caldy, Cambridge are by no means clear of danger and lost 29-17 at Plymouth Albion in a battle to avoid relegation that currently involves all the sides from tenth downwards.

National 2(S):  A 3-19 win for Rams at BSE sees them still well clear at the top from Canterbury whose tight 26-24 win against Taunton saw the two clubs swap positions. Henley’s 42-31 win against O Redcliffians sees them fourth, with TJs in fifth spot after they convincingly beating O Albanians 12-57.  Given the buffer to the sixth placed club, the battle for the playoff spot looks like being fought out between the sides currently sitting 2^nd to 5^th.  At the bottom end of the table Guernsey and B&S are locked together in the bottom two places with Guernsey picking up a useful 22-21 win over Barnes, whilst B&S were also winners with an 18-0 result against Worthing.  Ldn Irish still occupy the last of the three relegation places despite a useful 31-24 win over Dings, but they still sit 11-points adrift of O Redcliffians and safety.  In the last of the matches Clifton were 24-15 winners against visiting Redruth.

London Premier:  A reshuffle at the top as Wimbledon drop to third after going down 20-13 to CS Stags, whose good new year form continues, S&E go top following their 13-36 win at Sidcup, with Westcliff in second following 15-54 result at bottom club Shelford. Of the chasers, Hertford are the nearest, 9-points adrift after a 27-23 win against struggling Brentwood.  At the bottom of the division, Shelford are 32 points adrift of safety and survival is now realistically is a lost cause.  The other two relegation places are currently occupied by Chingford who lost 30-32 to Bedford Athletic, and Brentwood.  Bedford Athletic and Tunbridge Wells, who lost out 12-29 to visiting Guildford are also flirting with the drop zone, and the bottom , half of the table is likely to churn over each week towards the end of the season. The last of the fixtures saw Dorking lose out 5-12 to visiting Tring.

London 1(S):  The top four all won on the road, with leaders Brighton 19-32 winners at Dartfordians and second placed Sevenoaks winning 21-37 at Cobham, third placed Medway were 22-27 winners at Ldn Cornish whilst Camberley defeated hosts Thurrock 12-36.  At the foot of the table, bottom club  Hove lost out 26-46 to Westcombe Pk whilst Chobham now look favourites to accompany them as they lost out 20-22 to third bottom Tottonians whilst Chichester posted a useful 19-28 win over Havant that sees them move up the table, whilst Dartfordians loss against the leaders sees them in danger of being drawn into the relegation dogfight.

Bath Rugby host West Country rivals Bristol Bears in The Clash: a Gallagher Premiership showdown at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 6 April 2019 (KO 2pm).

This is a great opportunity for young, aspiring rugby players to see world-class rugby on the biggest stage and members of Maidstone FC are able to take advantage of an exclusive ticket offer:

• Adult Category 2 tickets: £15 (save 50%)
• Under-16 Category 2 tickets: £10

As well as watching England’s rising stars Joe Cokanasiga, Sam Underhill and Zach Mercer, you'll also be able to see the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Jonathan Joseph and Charles Piutau in action. There will also be a whole host of entertainment on offer before and after the match making this a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Tickets can be purchased individually or collectively by clicking the link HERE or for group sales of 20 or more, please call the ticket office on 0208 831 6666 (option 6).

National 1:  Elthamians BP 32-14 win over Sale sees them back at the top with Ampthill slipping to second despite winning 11-22 at Cambridge, Rosslyn Pk and Blackheath swap places in third and fourth as the battle between the two went in favour of hosts Rosslyn Pk 28-22. This top four group are clear of Rotherham and Chinnor, with both falling to defeats to clubs at the wrong end of the table, as Rotherham went down 23-29 to Loughborough St and Chinnor falling to a 47-10 loss at struggling Bishops Stortford.  The effect of those results on the foot of the division, still see Loughborough bottom from Moseley who drew 17-17 at DMP, and Esher who lost 26-0 at Cinderford.  Stortford’s win sees them move out of the bottom three but still in the danger area along with Cambridge, Sale and Caldy, who lost out 3-27 to Plymouth Albion

National 2(S):  At the top Rams apparent march to the title goes on as they were 48-14 winners against a Barnes side that continues to slide down the table.  Canterbury’s 21-34 win at Worthing keeps them in second spot, a point above Taunton who were 27-3 winners against Ldn Irish WG.  Henley who were narrow 10-13 winners at Dings sit fourth and TJs  who won 27-15 against BSE are fifth and this top five group are some 24-points clear of the field.  At the bottom the relegation places look to already be sorted as bottom club B&S lost 29-25 at Redruth.  Above them sit Ldn Irish WG and then Guernsey, who were the only bottom three club to record a win, with a tight 14-16 result at Clifton.  Regardless, the bottom three are already at least 13-points adrift of safety and it will take a remarkable turn of events to change that. In the last of the fixtures O Redcliffians were solid 37-15 winners against O Albanians.

London Premier:  A 22-5 win for leaders S&E against fourth placed Hertford keeps them top whilst Wimbledon move back to second following a tight 21-19 win against Westcliff who slip to third and whilst it’s still early the promotion places should really come from that top three group.  At the bottom Shelford slumped to a 48-17 defeat at Guildford and are now potentially just one defeat away from their relegation being confirmed.  Above them sit Chingford and Brentwood, with both falling to defeats as Chingford lost out 22-17 at CS Stags and Brentwood fell to a 17-38 loss to visiting Tunbridge Wells. Bedford Athletic recorded a useful 50-38 win against Dorking to move clear of the bottom three, whilst Sidcup’s slump continues as they went down to a 33-14 loss at Tring.

London 1(S):  The gap narrowed at the top as leaders Brighton were beaten 7-13 by second placed Sevenoaks whilst in third Medway took full advantage with a solid 45-12 win against struggling Chobham. Camberley are realistically the only other side in promotion contention and posted a useful 22-17 win over Ldn Cornish.  At the foot of the division Hove lost out 40-26 to Tottonians and remain well adrift with Chobahm above them also looking destined to go down.  Tottonians win moved them out of the bottom three to be replaced by Dartfordians who lost 21-42 to Chichester and are now looking vulnerable.  In the mid-table encounters Westcombe Pk won 37-17 against Cobham whilst Havant now look safe following a 27-12 win against Thurrock.

London 2(SE):  Leaders Beckenham were 8-52 winners at bottom club H&W whilst Horsham’s high scoring 34-40 win at Charlton Pk moves them above their hosts in to second, with fourth placed Colfes winning 17-27 at Aylesford.  At the foot of the table H&W and Aylesford occupy the relegation places whilst Thanet and Maidstone are locked together 11-points above them after Thanet’s  29-6 win against Gravesend and Maidstone’s 29-31 win at D&B after a great second half fightback.  In mid-table Dover lost out 0-29 to visiting Haywards Heath.

London 3(SE):  Leaders Crowborough got back to winning ways with an 11-24 win at bottom club H&B, a walkover for Vigo against Pulborough combined with a surprise 7-15 loss for  Beccs against struggling Park Hse sees the villagers move into second spot. O Wills also lost ground as they slumped to a heavy 49-12 defeat at Dunstonians.  At the foot of the table Park Hse’s win moved them off the bottom to be replaced by H&B, whilst Lewes remain in trouble after a heavy 68-10 loss at Bromley.  Mid-table Folkestone had no fixture.

Kent 1:  Leaders Ashford were 0-55 winners at Whitstable whilst Anchorians 29-14 win against NAG keeps them in second spot with third placed OGs slipping up as they went down 24-39 to visitors Southwark.  At the bottom Sheppey shipped 50 unanswered points at Cranbrook and look destined to go down whilst Foots Cray some 17-points clear of them had no fixture.  In mid-table Kings Coll went down to a 10-47 defeat to HSBC.

Kent 2:   Leaders Cliffe stretched to eight points clear at the top after an 18-34 win at Bexley whilst second placed Sittingbourne slipped up as they fell to a 24-17 defeat at Brockleians .  Faversham in third have a match in hand but keep up the pressure with a 34-20 result over visiting Dartford Valley.  Greenwich’s 47-0 defeat at Lordswood sees them prop up the table with Askean having no fixture this week.

Recognition for Volunteers, do you have an unsung hero?

The Kent RFU Volunteer awards are in their 5th year. There are 9 categories and a chance to say thank you to those volunteers that go the extra mile to give a great rugby experience.

Do you know of an unsung hero, a person that has made a valued contribution at your club?

Anyone at your club can nominate a volunteer, to show their appreciation of the time and effort and the contribution they make.

Please share with your club members (why not post it on your website or share on your Facebook page), so they can nominate their volunteer of the year

Nominations close Saturday 6th April 2019, to nominate your volunteer, please go to:

 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2V83MGL

Awards dinner is Thursday 6th June 2019

NB: If you do nominate someone within the club, out of courtesy and so the committee has a handle on nominations, please inform the Hon Sec, Melanie White of your nomination. Thank you.

Maidstone Rugby Club Quiz night

 ‘Raising funds for club tours’

Saturday 16^th February 2019

         7:00 for 7:30 start

Tables of 7 max, £6 per brain

Tickets available from the bar

Bring your food of choice!!

ALSO!

Raffle auction & heads + tails game

National 1:  After a week at the top Rosslyn Pk slip back to third following a 28-22 loss at Elthamians who now sit second with both level on points, whilst Blackheath’s 24-29 win at DMP sees them top the table again. Ampthill sit level with Elthamians & Rosslyn Pk  in fourth place after they posted a 48-15 win against Plymouth Albion.  Rotherham and Chinnor sit 5-points back from the top four, with both posting wins, Rotherham tight 21-20 winners against struggling Moseley and Chinnor 17-20 winners at Caldy.  At the foot of the table Loughborough St lost out 45-36 at Cinderford with Bishops Stortford moved off bottom spot with a 29-15 win against Sale.  Esher occupies the last of the relegation places following a 28-20 loss at Cambridge in the last of the fixtures.

National 2(S):  A 36-21 win for leaders Rams against O Albanians keeps them 15-points clear at the top, but Canterrbury’s 23-20 loss at Dings sees them slip to third with Taunton, who won 27-27 against B&S in second spot.  Fifth placed TJs narrowed the gap on fouth club Henley with a 23-12 win in the clash between the two, with the top five well clear of the midfield pack.  At the foot of the division it might be possible that the relegation places are already decided (still very early) as the bottom three are 15 points adrift of safety with Guernsey , who lost 32-5 at Redruth, locked together with B&S in the bottom two places.  The other relegation place is occupied by Ldn Irish WG who were sunk 37-22 at O Redcliffians. In mid-table Worthing lost out 29-49 to visiting Clifton whilst Barnes and BSE fought out a 24-24 draw.

London Premier:  Pretty much the top half clubs all won and the bottom section lost with the top v bottom clash seeing a 74-0 hammering of Shelford by leaders Wimbledon. Second placed S&E were 36-15 winners against Dorking whilst third placed Westcliff won 30-10 against T Wells.  The top three are well clear of fourth placed Hertford who were convincing 11-45 winners at Guildford.  At the bottom, winless Shelford are well adrift from Bedford Athletic, who lost 47-19 at CS Stags; and Chingford who went down 23-3 at Tring.  Brentwood were one of the few lower half teams to post a win with a welcome 49-17 win against Sidcup to move them out of the bottom three, and whilst two of the relegation places may look to be decided, there is likely to be a weekly churn of positions for the last of the drop zone spots as the run in continues.

London 1(S):  Back to winning ways for leaders Brighton in what was another close encounter  that saw them on the right side of another 2-point margin as Cobham pushed them close in the 39-37 scoreline.  Second placed Sevenoaks had a comfortable encounter, winning 45-7 against bottom club Hove, whilst in third place Medway won out in a high scoring 55-33 encounter with visiting Thurrock. Camberley stay fourth following their 38-11 result against struggling Chichester. At the bottom, Chobham sit above Hove and look to be in deep relegation trouble after a heavy 70-12 defeat at Westcombe Pk, whilst Chichester are level on points with Tottonians who went down 20-25 to visiting Ldn Cornish.  In the last of the fixtures, a 34-15 win for Havant sees them move clear of the danger area, whilst their opponents, Dartfordians could be in danger of slipping into the relegation battle.

London 2(SE):  At the top of the table the big clash was between leaders Beckenham who hosted 2^nd placed Charlton Pk with the visitors taking the spoils 27-29 to inflict Beckenham’s first league defeat  of the season and close the gap to 8-points at the top.  Third placed Horsham also narrowed the deficit with their own  42-14 win against Thanet Wdrs who drop a position as a result.  The foot of the table saw H&W travel to Maidstone in what was an important fixture for both clubs; in the end Maidstone contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, losing out 25-27 in a result that combined with Aylesford’s 29-0 loss at Haywards Heath was enough to lift H&W off the bottom.  In the mid-table fixtures, they went with league position as Colfes were 27-18 winners against D&B whilst Gravesend beat Dover 43-13.

London 3(SE):  As in the division above, the leaders went down to a narrow home defeat as visiting Vigo took the spoils by the odd point in the 12-13 scoreline and were the only side in the top four to post a win.  Second placed Beccs lost out 29-22 at Pulborough whilst O Wills went down 117-23 at struggling Bromley.  The foot of the table now sees park Hse who had no fixture prop up the table with H&B posting a welcome 10-26 win at Lewes, a result that moved them off the foot of the division and drags their opponents into the relegation battle. In the last of the fixtures, Folkestone -maintain their recent form with a 25-14 result against Dunstonians and continue to climb the table; and could yet feature in the promotion battle with a couple more positive results.

Kent 1:  A triple figure 105-5 win for leaders Ashford against struggling Foots Cray sees them stay 8-points clear of Anchorians who were also big winners with a 0-71 result at bottom club Sheppey.  OGs stay third after they had to work hard for their 17-19 win at NAG, before a significant gap to fourth placed Southwark who beat Whistable 26-10.  In mid-table Cranbrook were 17-22 winners at HSBc whilst Kings Coll had no fixture.

Kent 2:   Leaders Cliffe benefitted from a HWO against Askean with Sittingbourne’s 20-12 defeat of Bexley keeping them in second spot with third placed Faversham having no fixture. Brocleians posted a 7-27 win at bottom club Greenwich, whilst Lordswood just edged a tight result with a 22-26 result at Dartford Valley.

There is planned to be a pre-match lunch taking place on Saturday 9^th February which is when we host local rivals Aylesford for the second of this season's league fixtures. Unfortunately they seem to have had the upper hand this season just edging the cup & league encounters so far by the odd couple of points in matches where we seem to have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. 

So every incentive to set the record straight in what promises to be another competitive and close encounter.  The cost for lunch is £22 per person and these lunches are always a great occasion and in many ways the essence of what grassroots community rugby is about.  If you wish to attend could either contact Paul Ehrhart by close of play on Monday 21st  January to allow us to plan accordingly.

Timings are: 12:30 for a 12:45 sit down.

National 1:  The mid-season break can sometimes throw some sides out of their stride and in what is a closely fought battle at the top of the table that is what happened as both Elthamians and Blackheath stumbled, with Elthamians falling to a 41-26 loss on their long away trip to DMP whilst ‘Club’ lost out 27-32 to visiting Plymouth Albion.  With fourth placed Ampthill losing by the odd point, 49-48 at Esher in a high scoring match it meant that Rosslyn Pk were the only one of the top five to post a win and sees them take over top spot after they beat Rotherham 46-24.  At the bottom end of the division a welcome 53-19 for Loughborough St over Caldy lifted them off the bottom, to be replaced by Bishops Stortford following their 41-31 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Moseley. In mid-table Chinnor just edged out visiting Cambridge 27-26 whilst Sale beat Cinderford 31-17.

National 2(S):  Rams stay 13-points clear at the top following a narrow 12-19 win at third placed Henley, whilst Canterbury head the leading group of three clubs with a 47-12 win against struggling O Redcliffians, with Taunton in fourth after a 42-48 win at Clifton.  This group of four sit 7-points clear of fifth placed TJs who lost out 44-31 at struggling Ldn Irish WG, a result that at least meant that at the bottom end of the table they hadn’t let the gap to safety widen.  B&S also won, with a  25-15 result against visiting Dings which with Guernsey losing out 19-27 to visiting BSE means that they now prop up the table. In the other results, O Albanians lost out 20-24 to Barnes whilst Redruth also fell to visiting Worthing 17-28.

London Premier:  No change at the top as leaders Wimbledon eked out a narrow 20-22 win at struggling Bedford Athletic, with S&E 15-30 winners against a Chingford side just above the drop zone.  Westcliff sit third following their 16-23 at fourth placed Hertford to now open up a 9-point buffer between the top three and the rest.  At the bottom of the table Shelford remain winless, going down 26-10 at Tunbridge Wells whilst Brentwood also fell to defeat, losing out 26-11 at Dorking, Bedford Athletic complete the bottom three with Chingford just above them and then CS Stags who posted a morale boosting 46-19 win against Tring.  The last of the results saw Sidup start the year with a solid result as they ran out 41-19 winners against Guildford.

London 1(S):  Leaders Brighton stumbled after the Xmas break, going down to a narrow 29-27 defeat at Havant which meant that Sevenoaks in second spot closed the gap after they were 0-40 winners at struggling Chobham.  A 19-30 win at Chichester keeps Medway in touch in third from Camberley after they beat Dartfordians 12-20.  The foot of the table sees Hove still looking for a first win after losing out 24-58 to Cobham, with Chobham just above them and Tottonians in the last of the relegation places after they lost 25-20 at Thurrock, Chichester and Havant sit just above them and realistically the relegation places look like being filled by three of the current bottom five clubs. In the last of the fixtures Ldn Cornish were 27-17 winners against Westcombe Pk.

London 2(SE):  A 22-27 win for Beckenham at Thanet Wdrs keeps them clear at the top of the table, with Charlton Pk in second following a 32-24 result against a Maidstone side unlucky not to take something from the fixture. Horsham’s 33-13 win against Gravesend keeps them in third spot with Colfes in fourth after a 24-52 win at bottom club H&W.  At the bottom end of the table, H&W sit 2-points below Aylesford who lost out 17-22 to visiting Dover, whilst Maidstone and Thanet sit above them.  In mid-table Haywards Heath were 5-19 winners at D&B.

London 3(SE):  A 13-5 win over mid-table Pulborough keeps Crowborough well clear at the top of the division from O Wills who, with Beccs having no fixture, move into second spot after they were 13-16 winners against bottom club H&B.  At the bottom, above H&B sit neighbours Park Hse and Bromley locked together on points after Park Hse posted a 22-27 win at Dunstonians whilst Bromley fell to a 14-30 loss to Folkestone, whose recent run of form has seen them steadily climb the table to fifth spot. In the last of the fixtures fourth placed Vigo were 26-7 winners against Lewes who look like they could well get dragged into the relegation battle.

Kent 1:  In what was the key clash of the day second placed Anchorians fell to narrow 19-17 defeat at O Gravesendians which sees them narrow the gap on the top two, but also sees the leaders Ashford stretch to an 8-point advantage after they were 7-20 winners at Kings Coll.  Aside from the clash between OGs and Anchorians, the other news of the day was RBS’s withdrawal from the league, leaving Sheppey at the foot of the table following a 69-0 hammering by HSBC, all of which was not helped by a points deduction over the break and sees them 17-points adrift of safety. In the other results Southwark posted a 5-29 win at Foots Cray, whilst Whitstable posted a useful 27-15 win against visiting NAG.  RBS’ withdrawal meant that Cranbrook had no fixture this week.

Kent 2:   No Fixtures

The club committee is charged with ensuring the best possible coaching and playing environment for the growth of all its players and it is with regret that tough decisions have had to be made regarding the coaching structure and personnel.

In November Director of Rugby Andy Golding, sat down with Head Coach Mike Hebden and it was apparent that two backs coaches and no dedicated forwards coach was causing an imbalance in the coaching approach, which was ultimately affecting team performance. As a result, it was agreed that the existing backs coach would depart at the end of December and Steve Millward would come on board as full-time forwards coach. The backs coach agreed to see out his months’ notice until the end of December. The club would like to thank him for his contributions and dedication to Maidstone over the past 3 seasons.

At the start of the season, the club committee set targets for Mike Hebden which were agreed and that a full review of performance would be undertaken by Andy Golding in his capacity as Director of Rugby with Mike at the end of December. Against a back-drop of injuries and with players having left that could not be readily replaced, it has been a difficult first half of the season and despite Mike’s best efforts, the targets for the season are now not achievable this term. It has therefore been agreed by all parties of the committee, that Mike will be released from his role with the result that a new coaching structure will be put in place that is better suited to where we currently are as a Club and allow Mike to seek new opportunities. Mike has kindly agreed to stay on until the end of January to assist with the transition and hand-over.

For the remainder of the season, Steve Millward will continue as forwards coach & Dave Charlton will assist as specialist backs coach. Pete Barford will also be involved in an interim capacity, overseen by Director of Rugby, Andy Golding.

The reasons and timings for this have been carefully considered and discussed internally. The committee feels that the release of the head coach now, allows the club time to plan for the new season early. In addition, we will have sufficient time to recruit new players that we feel are needed, as well as look to cement our place in London 2 by building upon our existing player base.

The club would like to thank Mike for all of his hard work, effort and commitment over the past 3 seasons with the 1^st XV and before that with the Mustangs .We wish him well in his future coaching endeavours.   

You may have noticed on the top right hand side of the club website, that there is a button for information on the development plan at Binbury Park.

The online support method has now closed, but you can still write a letter of support to the council. The club has also prepared three draft versions that members can download and send to show their support. Although you are under no obligation to do so, the club needs as many letters of support as possible in order to succeed with the development plans. If you can spare some time to download a letter, sign and add your address before sending it onto the council, it will go a long way into securing the future for the club.

As things move along, the members will be informed of the club house design and amenities in due course. This development brings the club the opportunity to not only have a state of the art facility, but the chance to be able to grow for the benefits of its members today, as well as for many years to come.

You can access the Development page on the website here.

This piece is a brief summary of the various league divisions and where the county’s clubs sit within them.  From a county perspective the portents at the half-way stage look good, and certainly as we go into the second half of the campaign, from a promotion perspective in the National and Regional leagues, the glass can certainly be considered to be ‘half full’ as opposed to ‘half empty’.

National 1: At the halfway stage both Elthamians and Blackheath clashed with just a point separating the two sides in favour of Blackheath; a point separation is also the situation in the league with Elthamians holding pole position from ‘Club’ in second place.  The past two seasons have very much been a ‘one horse race’ in this division, but not so this time around with just 4-points covering a definite top five clubs as part of a leading group.  Amongst them sit Rosslyn Pk, Rotherham and Ampthill before a small buffer to the sixth placed club.  At the foot of the division Loughborough St are enduring another difficult campaign and along with Bishops Stortford are beginning to fall adrift of the pack, whilst any of the other bottom half clubs could well get drawn into the relegation dogfight with a couple of poor results.

National 2(S):  At the top of the table it is Berkshire based Rams (O Redingensians) that sit 11-points clear at the halfway point, with what looks like being a group of four clubs in the hunt for the playoff place.  Both Canterbury and Tonbridge Juddians are in that group with the city club in third spot and TJs fifth, with perennial challengers Taunton and also Henley the other clubs in the hunt.  For the two Kent clubs, they have largely displayed good form, both have fallen to the league leaders with their few losses being tight defeats by less than a single score.  The foot of the table sees three clubs already at least 11-points adrift of safety; after being mired in the relegation battle over the past two seasons, Ldn Irish WG find themselves anchored to the bottom; along with newly promoted Birmingham & Solihull and Guernsey they complete a bottom three that will require a significant turnaround in the second half of the campaign if any are to avoid the drop.

London Premier:  The head of the division is being fought out by two SW London clubs, in Wimbledon and Sutton & Epsom, with three other clubs (Westcliff, Hertford and Tring) realistically the other contenders.  For the Kent clubs it has been a somewhat inconsistent season so far, as they sit in 8^th & 9^th places at the halfway stage. Sidcup initially looked like being in the leading group, but a string of 5 defeats from mid-November looks to have put paid to any thoughts of a promotion challenge as they dropped back into mid-table.  For Tunbridge Wells it’s been an odd state of affairs as they have taken the scalps of several of the division’s leading contenders whilst falling to almost all of those very much mired in the relegation battle, a situation that could see them drawn into the relegation battle themselves.  The foot of the table sees Cambridge based Shelford almost certain for the drop as they sit 28-points from safety at the halfway stage, the battle to avoid the other two relegation places just four points separate five clubs with four newly promoted clubs in Bedford Athletic, Brentwood, Chingford, CS Stags in the mix, along with Tunbridge Wells.

London 1(S):  After a couple of seasons in the doldrums it is a resurgent Brighton that heads the table by 9-points at the halfway stage, with Sevenoaks leading the chase in second place after a solid first half to the campaign, with Medway, who many considered favourites for the title, having dropped to third after a wobble at the end of November.  Newly promoted Camberley complete a top four and it very much looks like the promotion places will be fought out amongst that leading group.  The county’s other representatives in Westcombe Pk and Dartfordians sit in 6^th & 7^th positions, with each probably having a slightly different perspective on the mid-term report, as Combe have probably not mounted the promotion challenge they might have hoped for, whilst Dartfordians look to have put together a good enough first half to the season to consolidate their position at this level.  At the foot of the table Hove are enduring a torrid campaign and look certain to go down along with Chobham who are some 10-points from safety at the turn round point, amongst the other contenders for the drop, rather surprisingly sit Tottonians, Chichester and Havant, all clubs that have been amongst the leading group in this division in recent seasons.

London 2(SE):  Always in with a shout last seasons, the difference this time around is consistency as Beckenham take a 12-point advantage into the second half of the season.  Another Kent club in Charlton Park sit in second spot in a division where the leading group has tended to shuffle on a weekly basis and also sees Gravesend and O Colfeians amongst its number.  In a division in which the county provides nine of the twelve sides, the bottom of the table also sees interest although it is Sussex club Heathfield & Waldron that prop up the table with Aylesford Bulls just above them, whilst Maidstone and Thanet Wanders are also flirting with the drop zone.  In mid-table Dover and  Deal & Betteshanger sit in 7^th & 8^th places with the former having fallen off the pace after a good start, whilst D&B currently sit clear of the tensions of relegation battles that have dogged them in recent seasons.

London 3(SE):  Although Sussex based Crowborough sit 8-points clear at the mid-point in the season, it is Kent clubs that appear to be leading the charge for the other promotion place, with Beccehamians leading the way at the moment.  O Williamsonians are still very much in the mix in third with Vigo also in contention in a division that is beginning to solidify into a top and bottom half.

At the bottom end of the ladder Sussex club Hellingly were forced to withdraw from the league leaving what is likely to be just two relegation places currently occupied by Hastings & Bexhill and Park House whilst Bromley, who are enduring something of an indifferent season are by no means safe. In mid-table sit two of the counties clubs whose fortunes have contrasted so far this campaign, with Dunstonians in 6^th after falling off the pace despite their early season promise whilst Folkestone are 7^th after climbing from a disappointing start to the campaign.

Kent 1:  Unless something strange happens the promotion & playoff places look to be destined to go to current leaders Ashford and second placed Gillingham Anchorians who sit clear at the head of the division.  O Gravesendians currently look to be the only club capable of capitalising on any mistakes as this group of three are at least 10-points clear of the rest of the division.  At the foot of the table, four conceded fixtures by Royal Bank of Scotland see them well adrift at the bottom with a points total in the red, with Sheppey who might have an account that’s in the black the other favourites for the drop as it would take a remarkable change in form for either Foots Cray or Whitstable to be drawn into the battle.

Kent 2:   New entrants to the league in Cliffe Crusaders are making an immediate impact and currently head the division with Sittingbourne and Faversham the leading chasers and realistically the promotion places should come from these three clubs. Bexley, Brockleians who so narrowly missed out last season, and Lordswood sit in mid-table whilst Dartford Valley and Askean sit just above Greenwich who prop up the table.

Date: Saturday 23^rd February 2019 @ 1.30 for 2.00pm

Venue: Maidstone Rugby Club.

Guys; has the Mrs always moaned that it’s you that gets to go to all the club lunches, its you that gets to enjoy a drink on a Saturday afternoon and it’s her that has to drop you off and pick you up, probably somewhat the worse for wear!!

Well here’s an opportunity to turn the tables and treat your lady to lunch and drive her home afterwards – this is your chance to build up those brownie points again!

Cost will be £20.oo pp including a glass of prosecco on arrival and wine on the table. We will also be holding a raffle.

Club bank details Sort code 30-95-37 Acc no 00062872

Reply to Paul Ehrhart by 9th February to book her place.

Email paul.ehrhart.rugby@gmail.com

With only fixtures at National League level this week, this weeks blog is somewhat brief, there will however, be a more comprehensive mid-season summary published over the Christmas break.  On that note, the author would like to wish you all (and your clubs) a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year and the best of luck to you all for 2019.

National 1: The top two went head to head at the halfway point in the season as Elthamians hosted Blackheath in the Kent derby, just a point separated the two sides as ‘Club’ took the honours 11-12, whilst its Elthamians that still hold a single point advantage at the head of the table from their local rivals.   A 25-27 win for Rosslyn Pk at struggling Bishops Stortford see them third, from Ampthill who were 38-27 victors over Chinnor.  Rotherham completes what is a distinct top five after they beat DMP 25-13.  At the foot of the table Loughborough St lost out narrowly, going down 25-22 at Cambridge and sit a point below Bishops Stortford and 7-points adrift of Moseley, who went down 38-14 at Cinderford.  Esher are also involved in the survival battle going into the New Year following their 19-16 loss at Plymouth Albion, whilst Sale gave their chances a boost after a 20-23 win at Caldy.

National 2(S):  Rams 40-12 win over bottom club Ldn Irish WG sees them stretch their lead at the top to 11-points, with Canterbury losing out 23-18 at local rival and fifth placed TJs and slipping to third. Henley took advantage to move up a place with a 17-24 win at Barnes whilst fourth placed Taunton edged a tight battle 35-33 against Redruth.  At the foot of the table B&S lost 20-10 at O Recliffians, a result that sees both them and Ldn Irish WG well adrift of safety going into the New Year.  Guernsey’s 43-36 loss at Worthing sees them occupy the third of the relegation places 10-points from safety, and whilst it is still a long way to go, there needs to be some real reversals in fortunes if the current bottom three are to escape the drop. In the remaining fixtures, Dings lost out 13-22 at home to Clifton, whilst BSE were 24-22 winners against visiting O Albanians.

The club brought the curtain down on competitive fixtures in what has become something of a club tradition with the annual playing of the Veterans XV Memorial Match. In the twenty odd years of this fixture’s history the side remembers those players no longer with us, but who represented the club’s Veterans XV throughout the years in such Corinthian style. 

Early fixtures were often played at various points during the season against a selection of opposing clubs, some of whom would inevitably cry off meaning the fixture being rearranged.  The past 15 seasons or so has seen the fixture settle into being played as the last match before Christmas and usually against the club’s Barbarians XV.

In a break with that tradition this year’s opposition were another of the county’s great social sides in Gravesend Moles, a team that is now probably the Veterans XV’s longest standing regular season fixture and always a competitive encounter.

In bright sunshine on a remarkably mild December afternoon and in front of a healthy sized crowd both sides took to the field in a match that ebbed and flowed with both sides holding sway at various periods.  Maidstone held the early ascendency scoring a try midway through the half, only for the Moles to comeback as the interval approached with converted try of their own to hold the advantage at the interval.

The half-time formalities saw former Veterans XV skipper and current club President Paul Ehrhart lead the toast as we remembered absent friends, most recently Dave Dunne and Bob Miles, and not forgetting those amongst the opposition’s ranks who are no longer with us.

Back to the fray and a second half that was equally as competitive as the first, with both sides scoring a converted try and Maidstone pressing at the close for a winning score but just falling short, as the Moles took the Memorial Trophy 12-14, which was presented to the winning skipper by Sally McCabe and Brenda Sharples.

Have you ever had one of those days when you think 'i'll do that tomorrow' and then two days later have that nagging feeling that there was something you should have done, and haven't?  So for those out there that are avid readers (an assumption on my part), well that's what happened with this weeks missive, hence the somewhat late publication, for which I apologise..

There will be an edition this coming weekend and whilst there are only matches at National League level, it will probably cover the matches played, along with a bit of a mid season summary.

National 1: As we approach the half-way point its Elthamians that sit 4-points clear at the top following their 17-3 win over struggling Bishops Stortford and second placed Blackheath narrowly losing out 10-7 at fifth placed Rotherham whilst third placed Rosslyn Pk ran out 26-10 winners against Caldy..  Those three sit a couple of points clear of Ampthill who were 10-27 winners at Sale with Rotherham a point below and then Chinnor who beat Esher 24-18 to complete a top six that have a 6-point buffer to the seventh placed club.  At the foot of the division, bottom club Loughborough St lost out 6-34 to visiting Plymouth whilst Bishops Stortford sit just a point above them; Esher round out the bottom three but realistically any of the clubs from ninth downwards could find themselves in relegation trouble in the back half of the campaign.  Of them, Moseley beat similarly placed Cambridge 15-6 and Cinderford went down 10-7 at DMP.

National 2(S):  A 0-53 win for leaders Rams at struggling B&S keeps them 10-points clear of Canterbury at the top of the table, with the city club posting a strong 38-5 win over visiting Barnes, whilst Henley’s 33-12 victory over O Albanians keeps them just a point behind. Taunton and TJs are the best of the rest with the Somerset club 60-14 winners against Guernsey and TJs posting a useful 14-37 win at Clifton; there is then an 8-point buffer between fifth & sixth places. At the bottom, Ldn Irsih WG prop up the table after a 5-26 defeat to BSE, with B&S and Guernsey currently the other two clubs in the drop zone and some 9-points adrift of O Redcliffians who were 17-27 winners at Redruth.  In the last of the fixtures Worthing moved up two places to tenth after a 10-0 win over Dings Crusaders.

London Premier:  As we go into the second half of the season the top of the table is looking like being contested by three clubs, with Wimbledon currently in pole position after a 10-5 win against Tunbridge Wells, whilst S&E sit 3-points behind after they were solid 27-0 winners against CS Stags.  Westcliff are third a further 2-points behind following their 39-0 win against visiting Sidcup.  The chasing group then have a 5-point gap with Hertford being the front runners after they beat bottom club Shelford 22-39 who are now 25-points adrift. Elsewhere at the foot of the division Brentwood lost out 6-18 to Chingford, whilst Bedford Athletic went down 44-22 at Tring to complete the bottom three; although Chingford, CS Stags and Tunbridge Wells are all on the edge of the danger zone. In mid-table Guildford lost out 8-19 to visiting Dorking.

London 1(S):  With top meeting bottom the result was somewhat predictable as Brighton racked up 73 points without reply against Hove; the result stretching their lead at the top to 9-points whilst Hove stay adrift at the foot of the table.  Sevenoaks stay in second spot after 16-6 win against ldn Cornish, with Medway back up to third following their 18-14 win against Dartfordians and Camberley’s 15-10 defeat at Havant.  The bottom end of the division sees Chobham in the drop zone after a 33-17 loss at Cobham, with Tottonians currently occupying the last of the relegation places despite a healthy 42-12 win over Chichester. In the last of the fixtures, Westcombe Pk lost out 14-18 to visiting Thurrock.

London 2(SE):  As we round off the first half of the season, Beckenham’s 26-10 win over third placed Horsham sees them stretch to 8-points clear at the top of the table from Charlton Pk who went down 19-10 at Colfes. In fact Beckenham & Colfes were the only winners in the top five as fourth placed Gravesend surprisingly lost out 8-15 to strugglers Aylesford.  At the foot of the table H&W suffered a reversal of their early season win, losing out 31-5 at Haywards Heath, whilst Maidstone closed the gap on their opposition with a 20-10 win against Thanet Wdrs. 

London 3(SE):  The big news in this division sadly is the withdrawal from the league of Sussex club Hellingly after having been promoted at the end of last season, leaving Pulborough with no fixture this week.  Meanwhile, Crowborough go into the second half of the season with an 8-point advantage after a 0-40 win at Lewes, whilst Beccs 22-7 win against Dunstonians keeps them in second spot from O Wills who beat Vigo 28-10.  With Hellingly gone its another Sussex club that props up the table with H&B losing out 26-7 at Folkestone whilst Park Hse sit level on points after a useful 29-5 win over next door neighbours Bromley.

Kent 1:  A 45-0 win for Anchorians over Whitstable keeps them at the top of the division from Ashford who were 43-3 winners against Cranbrook whilst OGs sit third after a resounding 7-53 win at struggling Sheppey.  At the foot of the table RBS are well adrift and lost out 0-36 to HSBC in the ‘Battle of the Banks’ and sit in negative equity whilst Sheppey sit above them and only just ‘in the black’ and some 13-points adrift of Foots Cray who lost 22-17 at mid-table NAG.  In the last of the fixtures Kings Coll and Southwark exchange places after Kings Coll ran out 5-11 winners in the encounter between the two.

Kent 2:   No Fixtures

National 1: Blackheath and Elthamians continue to head the table although Elthamians take over top spot by virtue of their 12-32 BP win at Cinderford with Blackheath being held to a much tighter 22-14 win against Chinnor.  Rosslyn Park’s 8-13 win against Cambridge keeps them in third place, with Rotherham fourth after they beat struggling Bishops Stortford 20-22. Ampthill’s 25-17 win over struggling Moseley keeps them in the leading group with Moseley still in the drop zone.  Loughborough remain at the foot of the table after a narrow 17-14 defeat at Esher.  Plymouth Albion also recorded a useful win with a 14-7 win against Sale whilst Caldy were winners over DMP with a similar scoreline (14-8).

National 2(S):  A 26-19 win for Rams against Clifton keeps them 10-points clear of Canterbury, who were 14-20 winners at BSE, with Henley still in third spot after they were 10-17 winners in Guernsey.  Taunton and TJs both won in fourth and fifth places with the Somerset club getting a 10-33 result at Dings whilst TJs beat Redruth 22-7.  At the foot of the table a 56-0 thrashing for Ldn Irish WG at O Albanians keeps them in bottom spot with B&S just above them despite a 10-15 win at Barnes.  Guernsey completes the bottom three with O Redcliffians moving out of the drop zone following their 33-22 win over Worthing.

London Premier:  With Westcliff going down 21-8 at struggling Chingford, Wimbledon move back to top spot following their 19-12 win against Hertford, with S&E’s tight 12-13 win at Tring putting them into second place.  At the bottom Chingford’s wi wasn’t enough to move them out of the bottom three with Bedford Ath just above them winning a tight 18-17 encounter with Brentwood.  Shelford are well adrift at the foot of the table after they went down to a 48-12 defeat at Dorking. In the other encounters, CS Stags moved out of the drop zone with a solid 32-10 result against Guildford, whilst in the all Kent encounter, Sidcup just edged out Tunbridge Wells by the odd point in a 9-8 result.

London 1(S):  A 26-17 win for Brighton against struggling  Chobham sees them 8-points clear at the top from Sevenoaks who brought Chichesters four match winning run to an end with a 3-28 scoreline.  Medway got back to winning ways with a 23-26 win at Camberley who slip to fourth spot.  The bottom of the table saw Hove go down to a heavy  83-10 defeat at Ldn Cornish  and they now sit 14-points adrift of second bottom Chobham with Tottonians dropping into the drop zone after a 33-22 loss at Havant who move out of the relegation places for the first time this season.  In mid-table Dartfordians posted a useful 20-13 win over fifth placed Westcombe Pk.

London 2(SE):  Leaders Beckenham were comfortable 55-3 winners against struggling Maidstone whilst Horsham slip a place to third after a 7-10 loss to Colfes.  Charlton Pk take over second spot after a 41-7 win against visiting Dover, with Gravesend’s 17-16 win against D&B moving them into fourth spot.  At the foot of the table Hthe bottom two met, with H&W moving above Aylesford after a tight 6-5 result.  Maidstone sit just above them whilst Thanet’s 15-15 draw with Haywards Heath sees them continue to move clear of the danger zone.

London 3(SE):  Crowborough’s 17-10 result against Folkestone keeps them at the head of the division from Beccs who were 10-15 winners at H&B with Vigo and Pulborough level in third spot after wins against Park Hse (27-8) and Dunstonians (20-12) respectively.  At the bottom Hellingly are well adrift after conceding their fixture at Bromley, with Park Hse and H&B in the other relegation places. In the last of the fixtures O Wills posted a solid 8-22 win at Lewes.

Kent 1:  With their being no sign of the result of Ashford’s encounter with bottom club RBS its Anchorians that take over at the head of the division after a 19-49 win at Kings Coll whilst OGs 14-48 win at Foots cray sees them remain in third spot and the nearest challengers to the top two should either slip up.  At the foot of the table Sheppey’s 14-29 loss to Whitstable keeps them 13-points shy of safety whilst in the mid table battles Cranbrook beat NAG 19-3 and  HSBC went down 14-34 to visiting Southwark.

Kent 2:   Cliffe continue to lead the table despite falling to their first defeat of the season, going down 27-12 at Lordswood, Sittingbourne capitalised to move into second spot and overhaul Faversham after they got the better of the clash between the two by the odd point in the 13-14 scoreline.  A heavy 0-40 defeat for bottom club Greenwich at the hands of Bexley keeps them at the foot of the table with Askean just above them after they lost narrowly 18-22 against Brockleians.  Dartford Valley sat this week out.

Fully paid up members can apply now to the Club for inclusion in the ballot for NatWest 6 Nations 2019 Tickets. The matches are France (10 Feb), Italy (09 Mar) and Scotland (16 Mar) at Twickenham with the away matches being Ireland (02 Feb) and Wales (23 Feb). Applications for inclusion in the ballot to Steve Vincent via email (click here) stating which matches and how many tickets ideally required (not to exceed 4 per member for home matches and 2 per member for away matches).

Please note that as published by the RFU last year,(see article in news archive for Sept  2017-18), the system for allocation of away tickets has changed.

The club has been allocated just 2 tickets per away match (Wales and Ireland). To allow the lucky recipients time to source travel and accommodation the club will be conducting the ballot for these tickets pre- Christmas on 21^st December. Whislt there hav already been applications, any member wishing to be included in the ballot should submit their names to Steve Vincent prior to this date.

National 1: A tight 15-16 win at Bishops Stortford keeps Blackheath top of the table but again level on points with Elthamians who posted a more comfortable 34-7 win against visiting Caldy. Rosslyn Pk move into third place after a 10-6 win against sixth placed Ampthill whilst Chinnor slip to fourth after a high scoring 48-46 defeat at bottom club Loughborough St. Fifth placed Rotherham complete the top group after they won 20-3 against Cinderford. Whilst the top of the table is quite tight, so also is the bottom with Loughborough and Bishops Stortford occupying the bottom two places from Plymouth Albion who went down 48-26 at Moseley whilst a 38-44 win for Esher at Sale sees them move out of the bottom three.  The last of the fixtures saw Cambridge 3-22 winners at DMP.

National 2(S):  No change at the top as Rams ran out 14-32 winners at Redruth, whilst Canterbury looked equally comfortable with a 24-12 win against O Albanians. Henley’s 15-38 win at struggling Ldn Irish WG sees them just a point behind in in third spot, with a six point buffer to Taunton who move above TJs after a  49-17 win against O Redcliffians. TJs slip to fifth following their 18-18 draw at Worthing.  The foot of the table is anchored by B&S who lost out 17-33 to BSE, with Ldn Irish WG above them, and the Guernsey, who went down 38-12 at Dings; it looks very much like the relegation battle will be fought out between those three and O Redcliffians with the bottom four already some 11-points adrift of safety. In the last of the matches Clifton were 44-24 winners against Barnes.

London Premier:  Wimbledon stay top despite going down to a solid 36-14 victory for third placed S&E, Westcliff’s convincing 42-7 win against CS Stags sees them close the gap in second spot to just 2-points.  Hertford and Guildford stay in touch after wins against Sidcup (15-10) and struggling Bedford Athletic (35-29) respectively whilst Tring were just edged out 24-23 at Brentwood.  At the bottom end of the table Shelford’s 16-34 defeat to second bottom Chingford sees them now some 22 points from safety and early odds on favourites for the drop. Bedford Ath and CS Stags occupy the other bottom four positions with Brentwood just above them, whilst an 18-3 win for Tunbridge Wells over Dorking sees them move out of the bottom group.

London 1(S): With the top two clashing it was Brighton who secured their place at the head of the division with a 12-28 win at Medway, who slip to fourth place after Camberley were 29-64 winners at Tottonians and Sevenoaks beat Dartfordians 37-12.   Westcombe Pk sit fifth after a 22-10 win against Havant, but some 9-points off the top four.  The bottom of the table sees Hove some 14-points adrift after a 0-36 loss to visiting Thurrock, whilst Chobham’s 7-32 defaet by Ldn Cornsih sees them still on the bottom two with Havant occupying the last of the relegation places.  In the last of the fixtures Chichester continue their climb up the table with a solid 9-30 win at Cobham.

London 2(SE):  A 14-28 win at Colfes keeps Beckenham at the top of the division, from Horsham who posted a 17-27 result at Haywards Heath. Charlton Park’s 5-27 win at Aylesford sees them in third from Gravesend who won 0-29 at Maidstone.  The bottom of the table is still propped up by H&W who lost out 26-0 at D&B, with Aylesford just above them and then Maidstone who are overtaken by Thanet following their 20-27 win at Dover.

London 3(SE):  After slipping to their first defeat last week, leaders Crowborough put matters right with a resounding 0-52 win at struggling Park Hse.  A wins for Beccehamians at Vigo  (17-12) and Dunstonians being held to a 23-23 draw by Bromley sees the two clubs locked together just behind the leaders with Pulborough unable to capitalise in fourth as they slipped to a 22-17 loss at O Wills.  Hellingly look destined to go straight back down after they lost out 5-22 to H&B and are now some 24-points from safety.  H&B’s win saw them move above Park Hse whilst Folkestone’s 22-5 win against Lewes in the last of the matches, sees them continue to draw away from the danger zone

Kent 1:  Ashford stay top after a 68-0 thrashing of struggling Sheppey with Anchorians posting a 24-3 win against Cranbrook to maintain station in second spot, whilst OG’s 41-13 win against Kings Coll sees them move above their opponents into third place.  At the foot of the table RBS went down 61-5 at Southwark to anchor the table from Sheppey who are 11-points adrift of Whitstable who lost out 20-22 at home to Foots Cray. The last of the fixtures was a low scoring affair, with hosts NAG just losing out 6-8 to visiting HSBC.

Kent 2:   A 40-5 win for Cliffe against Dartford Valley keeps them top from Faversham who won 11-21 at Brockleians, with Sittingbourne in third after they were 17-7 victors over Lordswood. Bottom club Greenwich had no fixture but just above them Askean lost out 45-0 at Bexley.

Despite the wet weather, what a great Wednesday evening  spent by the whole of the club's youth section with England Rugby Legend Mike Tindall.  The event was facilitated by our sponsors, Maidstone based Hospitality Finder and was run in conjunction with one of their associated charities, the Young Lives Foundation.

With the the event coordinated by joint Youth Chairs Alison and Ian, it meant that every age group got to spend some time with Mike on the training pitch, and he's not averse to giving a bit of hands on advice.  This was followed by a brief Q&A session in a packed clubhouse (the kids always ask the best question) with the pick of the questions being 'Whats it like to be in the Royal family?'  Needless to say the answer was diplomatic, but can be best summarised as 'It has its perks'!!

It proved to be a great success and all the kids all really had a great time, especially our guests form the Young Lives Foundation.

Photos now up in the website Gallery

Apologies for the delay in this week's update, however nothing to do with my tardiness this time.  Unfortunately the club's website was down for a period over the weekend, a DNS misconfiguration apparently, whatever that is.  Anyway, normal service is now resumed.

National 1:  A narrow than anticipated 39-32 win against bottom club Loughborough St sees Blackheath head the table from Elthamians who were 17-20 winners at Cambridge. Chinnor and Ampthill remain in close contention, with both picking up wins, against Sale (28-21) and DMP (40-29) respectively whilst Rosslyn Pk got back to winning ways with a 21-35 win at Plymouth Albion.  At the bottom end of the table Esher and Moseley sit just above Loughborough St, with the two sides clashing this weekend.  The result went the way of Moseley 21-38 and sees them move above their opponents in the table, whilst Bishops Stortford’s 0-11win at Cinderford moved them out of the drop zone, they along with Plymouth Albion are still very much in the danger zone. The remaining fixture saw Caldy host Rotherham with the Yorkshire club 29-33 winners and moving above their opponents.

National 2(S): Rams 41-12 win against visiting Worthing sees them continue at the top of the table, with a 9-point advantage over Canterbury, who’s 29-32 win at Henley sees them move above their opponents into second spot.  Tonbridge Juddians are fourth after a solid 46-17 win against visiting Taunton, who drop to fifth.  The lower end of the table sees B&S still anchored to the foot of the division after a 32-15 defeat at O Albanians, with Ldn Irish WG just above them, although a 17-20 win over third bottom Guernsey sees them close the gap o their opponents.  O Redcliffians are the last of four clubs that sit some 6-point from safety after they succumbed to a 13-30 loss to visiting Dings. In the remaining fixtures, Barnes lost out 12-14 to visiting Redruth whilst BSE also suffered a home defeat, losing out 13-17 to Clifton.

London Premier: A 35-28 defeat for Sidcup at Wimbledon sees them drop out of the leading group, whilst their opposition stretched to a 7-point advantage at the head of the table thanks to an 18-17 defeat for Westcliff at a Bedford Athletic that have now won three on the bounce and appear to have shaken of the poor early season form. A 38-24 win for S&E against Brentwood sees them in third from Tring who were 69-27 victors over Guildford.  The foot of the table saw struggling Shelford go down 51-7 at CS Stags whilst Chingford posted a welcome result, with a 23-21 win against Tunbridge Wells, with Bedford Athletic rounding out the bottom three. In mid-table, Dorking fell to a 15-18 defeat at the hands of Hertford who move into fifth spot.

London 1(S):  An 18-43 win for Brighton at Ldn Cornish keeps them 5-points clear at the top, from Medway who recovered from last week’s defeat with a 34-15 win against Tottonians.  In what now appears to be a four way battle for honours at the top of the table, Camberley sit third after they convincingly beat Westcombe Pk 54-22 whilst Sevenoaks stay in contention in fourth place with a very tight 33-34 win at Havant.  At the bottom end of the division Hove continue to prop up the table after a 22-0 loss at Chichester, with Chobham also in the drop zone following their 77-7 thrashing at Thurrock, with Havant completing the bottom three and two points adrift of Tottonians.  In mid-table Dartfordians and Cobham exchanged places after the Kent club came out on top 26-23 in the clash between the two sides.

RFU Cup Competitions: 

Junior Vase:   There were only matches in the RFU Junior Vase this weekend, with action in the other competitions now not scheduled until late February next year; and thankfully there was just one WO on the day with Alton benefiting from Becs OB withdrawal.  For the county’s clubs, Ashford posted a narrow 15-18 win at Chipstead, whilst Anchorians managed a slightly more comfortable passage with a 31-10 win against Sandown & Shanklin.  Sittingbourne posted a solid 24-19 win against Cranleigh to progress but unfortunately NAG fell to a 12-36 loss to visiting OMW.  In the other matches  Hitchin were 46-12 winners against Law Society and Staines posted a 35-19 win over Mill Hill, the last of the ties saw Uxbridge crash to a triple figure score as they were massively outgunned by Reeds Weybridge 12-104.

Apologies for the delay in this week's missive, one almost begins to feel guilty for regaining some form of social life.  A busy Saturday and probably one too many post lunch snifters on Sunday meant that Monday was the first clear opportunity to recap on the weekends fixtures.  I'd like to be able to say 'it won't happen again' but you all know that would be at best an untruth!!

National 1: With the leading pair of Blackheath and Elthamians both drawing, ‘club’ 22-22 at Cinderford having been pegged back from a 22-7 half-time lead, and Elthamians 13-13 against visiting Ampthil; it remains very tight amongst the leading group with just 6-points separating the top nine clubs.  Rosslyn Pk slip down after a 17-25 loss to struggling Esher whilst Chinnor move into third spot following a 33-40 win at second bottom Moseley. With Caldy fourth following their 3-13 win at Bishops Stortford.  Of the bottom four sides Esher were the only club to post a win as basement club Loughborough St went down 38-31 at Sale. A 14-25 defeat at the hands of Cambridge slowed Rotherham’s recent momentum, whilst DMP just edged out Plymouth Albion 22-19 in the last of the fixxtures.

National 2(S):  A 30-35 win at Taunton puts rams 7-points clear at the top from Henley who posted a 15-24 result at second bottom strugglers  B&S, whilst Canterbury stay in third place after they were convincing 31-12 winners against bottom side Ldn Irish WG. TJs useful 27-34 win at Dings sees them in fifth spot, just below Taunton with O Albanians in sixth after they were 24-31 winners at Clifton.  At the foot of the division the bottom two clubs lost whilst just above them the two other strugglers O Redingensians and Guernsey did battle, with the Old Boys convincingly coming out on top 51-17 to move above their opposition.   In mid-table Redruth drew against visiting BSE 20-20 whilst Worthing fell to a 31-39 loss to Barnes.

London Premier:  Leaders Wimbledon were 17-29 winners at Brentwood with second placed Westcliff convincing 38-11 winners against Tring.  A 12-23 win for S&E at Guildford sees them in third, but some way off the pace, with Hertford and Sidcup locked together with Guildford a further 2-points back, Hertford manged to move up the table with a 29-12 win against struggling Chingford whilst Sidcup slipped to a 19-23 loss to visiting Dorking.  At the foot of the table Shelford’s 22-29 defeat to fellow strugglers Bedford Ath sees them anchor the division, with the result seeing the Bedford club move above Chingford in the bottom three. CS Stags continue to flirt with the drop zone after a 24-18 loss at Tunbridge Wells who give themselves some breathing space from the relegation zone.

London 1(S): A 29-13 defeat for Medway at Westcombe Pk sees Brighton clear at the top of the table after a convincing 14-43 win at Tottonians.  Sevenoaks closed the gap on third placed Camberley with a hard fought 13-8 win over the Surrey club in what is looking like a distinct top four in this division.  At the foot of the table, bottom club Hove were just edged out 22-26 by visiting Dartfordians  whilst Havant continue to struggle, going down 37-21 at Cobham.  Chobham currently occupy the last of the relegation spots after a tight 16-19 loss to Chichester who after a poor start, are beginning to climb the table but like Tottonians are by no means clear of danger. The last of the fixtures saw Ldn Cornish 33-26 winners against Thurrock.

London 2(SE):  A 29-14 win for Beckenham against Haywards Heath keeps them clear at the top from Horsham who were 38-14 winners against visiting Dover. Charlton Pk’s 29-19 win against D&B sees them third and with a 6-point buffer over Gravesend who beat bottom club H&W 25-6.  At the foot of the table Aylesford occupy the other relegation spot after they lost out 22-10 at Thanet who now have an 8-point buffer from the drop zone and sit just a point adrift of Maidstone who lost heavily, 5-53 t0 visiting Colfes in the last of the fixtures.

London 3(SE):  A 21-29 reversal for leaders Crowborough to visiting Beccehamians sees Dunstonians narrow the gap following their 7-16 win at H&B. Pulborough’s 27-17 win against Bromley sees them in fourth but level on points with Beccs in third.  The bottom of the division saw basement club Hellingly go down heavily, with a 46-10 defeat at Vigo with H&B in the other relegation spot, but only a point below Park Hse who lost out 24-22 at Lewes in a tight battle. In the last of the matches Folkestone continued their recent run of form with a 19-23 win over O wills to continue to climb the table.

Kent 1:  A 40-8 win against Southwark keeps Ashford at the top of the table from Anchorians who were 25-33 victors at HSBC, a 36-15 win for Kings Coll against Whitstable keeps them in third from OGs who were narrow victors against hosts Cranbrook 28-31.  The bottom of the table sees RBS still propping up the division after a 19-22 loss to NAG with Sheppey in the other drop spot after a heavy 3-32 loss to Foots Cray who move 8-points clear of them.

Kent 2:   Cliffe sat this week out but stay at the top of the table from Faversham who were 26-7 winners against Bexley, an 11-20 win for Sittingbourne at Dartford Valley keeps them in third spot. At the bottom, basement club Greenwich’s match against Askean was postponed.

The clubhouse will be open this Saturday for the England v Australia Autumn International. Piers Francis is in the squad, so why not come on down & watch England do battle with the Wallabies in the company of friends?

Kent 1:  Odd that this fixture was scheduled for today given that NAG were scheduled to appear in the Junior Vase so they were probably thankful that Seaford conceded.  So a plus and a negative for NAG as they fell to a 34-15 league defeat to Southwark, a result that moves the Sth London club into the top half of the table.

RFU Cup Competitions:  When I wrote this blog in October summarising the cup competitions I mentioned how disappointing it was to see a high number of walkovers.  Unfortunately that trend has continued, now reaching almost epidemic proportions with just over 70% of this weekend’s cup ties resulting in a walkover. One might understand the odd concession but the raft of walkovers must be disappointing for the competition organisers and ultimately could potentially see the demise of these valuable competitions if the commitment to honour fixtures is no longer there. Elsewhere in the country the issue doesn’t appear as prevalent with only 20% (4) of the Midlands cup ties conceded (unfortunately for the author, who being away had intended to watch Mkt Rasen & Louth v Coalville, but that match fell to the dreaded walkover).

The Northern and SouthWest divisional cup competitions are conducted in a different format but even they aren’t immune to the issue, but as with the Midlands, to nothing like the epidemic extent of the London & SE Division.

Intermediate Cup:  Half of the eight fixtures resulted in walkovers with Gravesend progressing at the expense of Chiswick and Dover conceding their outing to O Reigatians. Having been reinstated after Romford & GP were disqualified for playing an unregistered player Beckenham should have travelled to local rivals Charlton Pk in what looked the pick of the fixtures, but in the end Charlton Pk progressed without having to kick a ball. The other walkover saw Harpenden not fancying the trip to play Norwich.  Of the matches that did get played Colfes beat Farnham 16-36 to progress, whilst Maidstone suffered a heavy 3-62 loss to a very tidy O Cranleighians outfit.  Letchworth were 39-10 winners against visiting Saffron Walden whilst Horsham were convincing 21-53 winners at Hammersmith & Fulham.

Senior Vase: Of the four cup ties, two resulted in walkovers as Chelmsford and West Norfolk both progressed. In the two matches that were played, Bromley, who have a decent record in this competition lost out 24-10 to Ldn 3(SW) club Portsmouth. The other fixture saw Harrow outgunned by Battersea Ironsides, who progress following a solid 15-43 result.

Junior Vase: Of sixteen scheduled cup ties, just five saw players take the pitch and of those fixtures Basingstoke lost out 19-32 to visiting Reeds Weybridge and Cranleigh hammered E Grinstead 64-0. OMW were 62-10 winners against Fareham Heathens to progress whilst PJF fell to a 15-31 defeat to Sandown & Shanklin.  The last of the matches played saw St Albans lose out 14-53 to Law Society.  Of the walkovers, all of the county’s clubs progressed with Anchorians, Ashford, NAG and Sittingbourne all through to the next round.

For a complete round up of results go to http://rfulondon.com/cups where the draw for the next round will be made on Wednesday.

Thanks to the assistance of sponsors Hospitality Finder, Maidstone Rugby are delighted to announce that  Mike Tindall M.B.E will be visiting the club on Wednesday 28^th November.

Mike will be coaching the junior squad along with children from local charity, Young Lives Foundation.  After training, the children, parents and club members will have a chance to have their questions answered by Mike as well as photo and autograph opportunities.

Hospitality Finder’s strong ties with the game stem from the official rugby corporate hospitality that they have been providing at Twickenham Stadium for the past decade. They firmly believe in putting back into the grass roots of the sport and see this as a great opportunity to do just that by bringing their brand ambassador and global star of the game to the county town club with whom they enjoy a very close relationship.

Hospitality Finder recently formed a partnership with Young Lives Foundation, a Kent charity who strive to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

Young Lives Foundation CEO Stephen Gray comments: “When Hospitality Finder approached us about getting our young people involved in this event, we didn’t have to think twice. Having the exposure to Mike Tindall, a sportsperson that they look up to can only have a positive outcome”.

Maidstone Rugby have previously hosted an event in 2016 with Mike and are delighted to welcome the former England captain back to the Mote to share his knowledge with their junior section.

National 1: Whilst it remains tight between the leading group of clubs with 5-points covering the top eight club, I think I can say with reasonable certainty that this is the first time this weekly missive has been able to report that Kent clubs hold the top two positions in this division.  Blackheath take over the lead after they posted a 41-24 win against visiting Sale, whilst Elthamians sit level on points after they toughed out a 15-19 win at Plymouth Albion. Rosslyn Pk sit third following a 33-33 draw with Chinnor and Ampthill are fourth following their 22-8 win which ended Rotherham’s recent string of good results.  Of the other leading contenders Caldy hosted Cindeford with the visitors taking the spoils 31-38.  At the foot of the table the bottom two clashed with Loughborough St beating Moseley 35-25, whilst Esher narrowly lost out 24-25 to DMP.  Bishops Stortford are another of the strugglers and they also just lost out by the odd points as they fell 23-22 at Cambridge.

National 2(S):  Of the top five clubs, only third placed Taunton lost out, coming second in a high scoring 51-38 scoreline at Barnes.  At the top, Rams were 33-15 winners against Dings, whilst second placed Henley were 47-12 winners against Clifton.  Canterbury and TJs sit in fourth and fifth respectively, with Canterbury narrow 13-15 winners against Guernsey, whilst TJs had an equally tough encounter for their 29-27 win against struggling O Redcliffians.  The foot of the division saw the bottom two clash, with B&S getting the better of Ldn Irish WG12-19 and moving above their opponents.  Redcliffians occupy the other relegation place, with Guernsey and Clifton also sitting in the danger area.  The other fixture was an upper mid-table clash with O Albanians moving above Redruth thanks to a 27-10 win over their Cornish opposition.

London Premier:  Westcliff’s 22-19 defeat at S&E means that Wimbledon are back at the head of the table following their 29-19 victory against Dorking, with Guildford maintaining station in third place after they overcame Brentwood 32-38.  Tring and Sidcup are below them and just a point adrift following solid 53-8 and 20-44 wins against strugglers Shelford and Chingford respectively.  At the bottom of the division Shelford are beginning to fall away and are some 11-points adrift of Bedford Athletic, who picked up a useful 36-22 win against visiting Tunbridge Wells, Chingford currently occupy the other relegation spot, some 5-points adrift of CS Stags who lost out to Hertford in a narrow 22-24 scoreline

London 1(S): In what’s beginning to look like a breakaway top four, the top two remain locked together with Medway 43-34 winners against fourth placed Sevenoaks, whilst Brighton posted a 34-14 win against Thurrock.  Camberley’s 42-22 win against visiting Cobham keeps them in third spot.  At the foot of the table Hove’s misery continues as they fell to a 45-29 defeat at fellow strugglers Havant, a result that moves the Hamshire club out of the bottom three, to be replaced by Chobham who lost 37-17 at Dartfordians.  Chichester also picked up a useful win with a 29-12 victory against visiting Ldn Cornish.  The last of the fixtures saw fifth paced Westcombe Pk 18-22 winners against Tottonians

London 2(SE):  A tight 34-35 win at Dover sees leaders Beckenham open up a 6-point buffer at the top of the table from Horsham who move into second spot after a convincing 11-50 defeat of struggling Aylesford. Charlton Pk are third after they hammered bottom club H&W 8-69.  At the bottom of the table H&W and Aylesford occupy the relegation places from Thanet Wdrs who fell to a 27-20 loss at D&B, with Maidstone above them after they slipped to an unlucky 17-16 loss at Haywards Heath. The remaining fixture saw Gravesend narrow 18-20 winners at Colfes.

London 3(SE):  Top met bottom result in 17-53 victory for leaders Crowborough at fellow Sussex club Hellingly as they sit 8-points clear of second placed Dunstonians who just edged out Vigo 39-36.  Beccehamians move into third place after a 32-3 win against Lewes whilst Pulborough slip to fourth following an unexpectedly heavy 47-12 loss at Folkestone.  The foot of the table sees Hellingly already 13-points adrift of H&B and Park Hse, with H&B losing 27-21 at Bromley whilst Park Hse beat O Wills 43-26.

Kent 1:  Leaders Ashford were 17-26 winners at NAG in what is a much tighter result than might have been expected, whilst Anchorians ended up with a week off with a W/O against bottom club RBS. A narrow 29-31 win for Kings Coll at Foots Cray keeps them in third spot with OGs fourth following their 24-13 win against HSBC.  The bottom sees RBS well adrift following points deductions, with Sheppey, who lost heavily,53-3 at Southwark the other strugglers alongside Foots Cray.  The remaining fixture saw Cranbrook post a big win for the second consecutive week as the nulled Whitstable by 49 points

Kent 2:   A W/O for leaders Cliffe keeps them at the top of the table and with Sittingbourne sitting this week out, Faversham move into second spot after they were 7-41 winners at bottom club Askean. The other fixtures saw a 17-12 win for Bexley over visiting Lordswood whilst Dartford Valley fell to a 41-17 loss at Brockleians

The club is happy to announce that the new joint heads of Physiotherapy at the club will be Caroline Surtees and Emily Tamsett.

Both of them worked very well as a team underneath Gemma last term and have done a fantastic job of running the clinics, ordering supplies and providing cover in the interim whilst the club took the opportunity to look at the market. It was decided that promotion from within is part of the ONEGREATCLUB ethos and both have worked diligently to deserve the position.

Both Emily & Caroline also help continue the student program, whereby students can learn their craft, whilst also providing a service to the club. They are both supported by Charlotte Knight in her first year at the club, as well as some familiar faces in the support team of students. The online Physio booking system appears to be working well and we look forward to the rest of the season ahead with these two very popular ladies.

Both Emily and Caroline have a joint business venture with C&E Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation, so even if you are not a playing member of the club, you can still look for treatment from the pair.

National 1: Elthamians’ 22-10 win over Esher keeps them top from Rotherham who appear to have recovered from consecutive defeats on the opening weekends to steadily move up the table with a 25-14 win over Plymouth Albion the latest in a string of wins.  Blackheath’s 17-25 win at Caldy sees them in third spot, level on points with Rosslyn Pk who were 39-31 winners against bottom club Loughborough St. the foot of the division now sees Loughborough 7-points adrift of Moseley, who were 31-22 winners against Sale, whilst Esher complete the bottom three.  Both Bishops Stortford and Cambridge sit uncomfortably in the bottom half of the table with Stortford losing 10-29 to visitors Ampthill, whilst Cambridge lost out 14-9 at Cinderford.  The last of the fixtures was a tight battle between DMP and Chinnor, with the Oxfordshire club narrow 21-23 victors.

National 2(S):  A 21-38 win for the Rams at O Redcliffians keeps them top of the table, 4-points clear of Taunton, who hammered BSE 50-0, Henley’s 16-20 win at Redruth keeps them in third spot from Canterbury who were 17-31 winners at bottom club B&S.  Redruth’s loss saw them slip to fifth, with TJs closing the gap in sixth following their 26-20 win against Guernsey.  The foot of the table sees B&S and Redcliffians currently occupying two of the relegation slots with Ldn Irish WG the other, despite a 12-22 win at Clifton.  In the remaining matches, Dings lost out 5-10 to visiting Barnes, whilst Worthing also fell to a home defeat at the hands of O Albanians, 16-21.

London Premier:  With leaders Wimbledon just edged out 28-27 at third placed Guildford, Westcliff take over top spot following their 31-12 win against Brentwood whilst Dorking’s 28-16 win over Chingford sees them move above Tring who lost 20-14 at Tunbridge Wells.  At the foot of the table, Shelford’s 19-26 defeat at the hands of S&E keeps them anchored to the foot of the table from Bedford Athletic, who lost heavily, going down 53-15 at Hertford.  Chingford complete the bottom three with CS Stags just above them after they lost 29-8 at Sidcup.

London 1(S): Medway and Brighton stay locked together at the top, with Medway coming out on top of a high scoring encounter at Cobham 38-40, Brighton also won on the road, despatching Westcombe Pk, Camberley sit third after inflicting a 10-63 mauling on winless bottom club Hove, who look like they’ll be enduring a torrid campaign. Sevenoaks equally impressive 62-6 home win over Tottonians, sees them round out a top four that now have at least a 9-point buffer to fifth placed Combe.  At the bottom of the table Chichester and Havant sit above Hove, with both continuing to struggle as lost out by the odd point in the 32-31 scoreline at Thurrock, whilst Havant went down  by the same margin in a 26-25 result at Chobham. In the last of the encounters Ldn Cornish took the points in a lower mid-table battle with Dartfordians 29-25.

London 2(SE):  Having snatched a last gasp victory last week, Alesford were rought down to earth with a bump as leaders Beckenham hammered them 59-6, to move 6-poinrs clear of second placed Dover who lost 15-8 at Maidstone.  The rest of the leading teams continue to shuffle with Horsham moving into third after they beat D&B 34-15, with Charlton Pk forth following their 23-36 win at Gravesend.  At the foot of the division the bottom two did battle with H&W now bottom after Thanet Wdrs picked up their first win of the season in some style, with a convincing 44-0 result.  The last of the results saw Colfes surprisingly slip up at home, going down to a 14-26 defeat to visiting Haywards Heath.

London 3(SE):  The top two did battle with Crowborough remaining top after a 38-26 win against Dunstonians that sees them slip to fourth.  Both Pulborough and O Wills cashed in with the Sussex club impressive 51-17 winners over H&B, whilst O Wills beat Beccehamians 32-12.  At the bottom of the division Hellingly conceded their fixture at Lewes whilst Folkestone and Park Hse swapped places after the south coast club ran out 33-12 winners in the battle between the two.  The last of the fixtures saw Vigo post a useful 39-29 win over a Bromley side having a somewhat indifferent season.

Kent 1:  Yet another top of the table encounter as Ashford faced Anchorians with the mid-Kent club running out 23-10 winners to move 4-points clear at the top. A 12-87 hammering of bottom club RBS sees OGs close the gap in third place with Kings Coll in fourth after they were 5-55 winners at second bottom Sheppey. At the foot of the table, just above the bottom two Foots Cray are also struggling and lost heavily, going down 50-10 at Cranbrook, in mid-table HSBC were 37-17 winners against Whitstable, whilst the remaining fixture between Southwark and NAG was abandoned (no further details at his time).

Kent 2:   New boys Cliffe are now 6-points clear at the top after a tight 17-14 win against second placed Sittingbourne, with Faversham in third following their 6-51 mauling of Greenwich.  With Brockleians sitting this week out, the only other fixture was between Dartford Valley and Bexley, with Bexley running out 8-24 winners.  The match between Lordswood and bottom club Askean was postponed.

National 1: In what is a refreshing change after the somewhat ‘one-horse races’ of the past two campaigns, there is yet another change of leader at the top as Chinnor and Elthamians fought out a 20-20 draw meaning Caldy’s 22-27 win at Cambridge sees them at the head of the table. Blackheath’s 30-26 win against struggling Moseley moves them into third with Rotherham level on points after a solid 15-45 win at Esher; with Rosslyn Pk rounding out the top five after they beat Sale 23-31. At the foot of the table a welcome win 39-27 for Loughborough St over DMP prevents them falling too far adrift from Moseley, Esher occupy the third relegation slot but bishops Stortford failed to pull away just above them as they fell to a 23-19 loss at Plymouth Albion.  In the last of the fixtures Ampthill posted a comfortable 54-10 win over Cinderford.

National 2(S):  Rams stay top after a 33-18 victory against TJs, a result that sees the Kent club drop back into mid-table, Taunton move into second after they beat O Albanians 21-35, with Henley third after a similar 31-22 scoreline against Worthing.  Canterbury stays in the leading group with a 40-34 win against Clifton.  At the bottom Ldn Irish WG posted a surprise but welcome 33-28 win against Redruth that sees them maintain station with B&S who also won, with a 19-28 victory over Guernsey. O Redcliffians currently occupy the other relegation slot and fell to a 17-10 loss at Barnes. The last of the matches saw mid-table BSE fall to a 7-17 loss to visiting Dings.

London Premier:  A 24-3 win against Chingford keeps Wimbledon at the top of the table from Westcliff who were 20-29 winners at Guildford, whilst Tring move into third spot following their 32-22 win against visiting Hertford.  At the bottom end of the table, basement club Shelford went down 33-12 at Brentwood, with Bedford Athletic picking up their first win of the campaign as they stunned visiting Sidcup 32-28, Tunbridge Wells 18-32 win at S&E gets them back to winning ways and moved them out of the bottom three to be replaced by Chingford.  In the remaining match in mid-table, a high scoring encounter saw Dorking just edge out their hosts CS Stags in the 37-38 scoreline.

London 1(S): Medway and Brighton remain locked together at the top of the table, with Medway hammering bottom club Hove 85-12 whilst Brighton posted a more modest 44-21 scoreline in their win against struggling Chichester.  Third placed Camberley also posted a high scoring win as they put 84 points past Chobham for only 17 in reply with Sevenoaks now fourth following their 7-19 win against Combe. At the foot of the table Havant complete the bottom three along with Hove and Chichester despite posting their first win of the campaign with a 24-45 win at Ldn Cornish.  In the mid-table encounters, Dartfordians lost out 18-26 to visitors Thurrock, whilst Tottonians lost 27-31 to Cobham.

London 2(SE):  A 26-50 defeat of D&B by Beckenham keeps them at the top of the table, from Dover who were 24-12 winners against Colfes who drop to third spot. Horsham remain in fourth after they put H&W to the sword 5-63.  At the bottom end of the table, Aylesford’s last gasp win against Maidstone (21-19) moves them of the bottom, to be replaced by Thanet who were narrowly beaten by Charlton Pk 27-26, with H&W occupying the other relegation spot.  In mid table Gravesend narrowly beat Haywards Heath 12-16.

London 3(SE):  A 14-34 win at Bromleykeeps Crowborough at the top, from Dunstonians who lost out 29-33 against Lewes. Beccehamians sit in third spot after they ran riot against Folkestone with a 61-19 win whilst Pulborough are fourth after a 12-28 win at park Hse.  The bottom of the division sees Hellingly anchoring the table following a 12-40 loss to O Wills, whilst Folkestone and Park Hse occupy the other two places in the bottom three.  H&B sit just above them following their 17-21 loss to Vigo

Kent 1:  Ashford and Anchorians continue to dominate with leaders Ashford running in a 12-73 win at OGs, whilst Anchorians were a bit more modest in their scoreline of 31-10 against Southwark.  A 24-18 win for Kings Coll against Cranbrook sees them move into third, but 10-points adrift of the leading pair. At the bottom RBS suffered a hefty 79-5 thrashing at Whistable, whilst Sheppey and Foots Cray are the other two clubs in relegation trouble, with Sheppey falling to a 58-15 reversal at NAG, and Foots Cray going down 12-29 to visiting HSBC.

Kent 2:   Cliffe stay at the top of the table after week 4 with a narrow 12-14 victory at Brockleians, whilst Sittingbourne sit in second spot after they trounced Greenwich 50-20.  Faversham sit third after a solid 44-7 win against Lordswood whilst bottom club Askean went down 7-45 to Dartford Valley.  Bexley sat this week out.

The county town club are drawn against O Cranleighians in the next round of the RFU Intermediate Cup after the Surrey based club beat our near neighbours Aylesford in the opening round. The Surrey club has a recent track record that it not dissimilar to our own recent past; promoted to the Ldn leagues from Surrey 1 in 2016, they also won the RFU Junior Vase that season as well with a crushing 50-0 result at Twickenham.  Stepping into the Senior Vase they made the regional final in their first year, losing out by the odd point in the 29-30 scoreline to fellow Surrey club Farnham, a club also on an upward curve. 

Last season saw them go a step further, winning Ldn 3(SW) they also took the regional Senior Vase title with an impressive 3-36 win over Bromley, who as we know are no slouches in that competition; before falling to a 31-15 defeat in the national semi-finals to Cornish club Saltash.

Elsewhere in the draw, Charlton Pk are drawn at home to what should be Romford & Gidea Pk, although the validity of Romfords opening round win over Beckenham is yet to be confirmed.  Colfes will travel to face Farnham whilst Gravesend host Chiswick and Dover are drawn away at O Reigatians. Sussex based Horsham travel to take on Hammersmith & Fulham whilst the two remain ties both solely involve clubs based north of the R Thames, with Letchworth hosting Saffron Walden and harpenden travelling to face Norwich.

All ties are played on Sat 10th Nov

For full details on RFU Senior and Junior Vase fixtures click here

The developers of the Detling site, Quinn Estates will be presenting an update to the membership on the current stages of the project and will take questions. This will be a very important meeting which will have impacts on the clubs future, so we encourage all members to attend.

To find out more about the project and also to register your support, please visit the link here.

It is YOUR club and your voice counts, so please make every effort to attend and voice your support via the link above.

National 1: For the third consecutive week the top of the table sees a reshuffle with Elthamians back on top spot following a 48-24 win against bottom club Loughborough St, Caldy’s tight 19-18 win over visiting Ampthill sees them second with Sale in third after they also fought out a tight battle for a 29-31 win at DMP.  Chinnor slip to fourth after they lost 32-26 at Rotherham with Blackheath rounding out the top five after they were 24-43 winners at Cambridge.  The bottom of the table sees Moseley just above Loughborough after they lost 27-22 at Rosslyn Pk, with Esher also struggling despite a useful 26-29 win at Bishops Stortford.  The last of the matches saw Plymouth Albion lose out 15-12 at Cinderford.

National 2(S):  A 48-14 win for leaders rams against Guernsey keeps them at the head of the division, with Redruth’s 14-10 win against Canterbury moving them into second spot after Taunton slipped up, going down 13-17 to visiting Henley who are now fourth. A 20-21 home defeat to Barnes sees TJs slip to fifth, level on points with county rivals Canterbury.  At the foot of the table Ldn Irish WG’s miserable start to the season continues as they lost 41-14 at Worthing, with B&S just above them following their 31-22 defeat at Clifton.  O Redcliffians complete the bottom three after a narrow 31-35 home defeat by BSE. In mid-table dings just edged out O Albanians with an 18-17 result.

RFU Cup Competitions:  This week sees the opening rounds of the RFU Cup competitions, which generally has an irregular number of fixtures as the opening round looks to balance out the draw.  Yet again the competitions were disappointingly racked with a number of Walkovers.

Intermediate Cup: Just five fixtures in this competition with Chiswick getting a W/O as Stowmarket conceded the fixture.  The county had two representatives in the opening encounters and disappointingly both exited the competition at the first hurdle, with Aylesford going down 29-7 to last year’s Ldn & SE Senior Vase winner O Cranleighians.  Beckenham also lost out with a heavy 32-5 defeat at Ldn 2(NE) club Romford & GP. In an all Ldn 2(SW) clash Alleynians might have been expected to take the honours against Farnham but fell to a 17-27 loss, whilst in the last of the ties, Southwold lost out 13-33 to Hammersmith & Fulham.

Senior Vase: Of the seven fixtures only three saw players cross the whitewash as four matches resulted in W/Os.  Bromley were the beneficiaries in their fixture as Trojans conceded, whilst Fakenham, Portsmouth and Harrow also progress without kicking a ball, with Dnstonians one of te sides conceding their cup tie. Of the games that were played, Folkestone fell to a heavy 40-3 defeat at Battersea, whilst Thetford lost out 10-38 to visiting Chelmsford.  The last of the fixtures saw West Norfolk 41-48 winners at Maldon in a high scoring encounter.

Junior Vase: Out of twelve scheduled cup ties, 50% of them were W/O’s and sooner than cover all of the results this summary will just cover those involving the two Kent clubs.  Unfortunately both exited the competition with Bexley going down 45-10 at mill hill, whilst Sittingbourne fell to a 3-19 loss to visiting Ldn Media.  All is not lost however, as Ashford, Anchorians and NAG all had byes in the first round and no doubt have ambitions to do well after last season’s strong performances combined with this year’s current good form.

For a compete round up of results go to http://rfulondon.com/cups where the draw for the next round will be made on Wednesday.

The fixture against Deal & Betteshanger saw the first of this season’s pre-match lunches, and on this occasion supported by one of our sponsors NFU Mutual with representatives Tonya Williams and Patrick Bowring in attendance.  Also in attendance were representatives from other club sponsors Quinn Estates and it was particularly good to welcome Nick Stoney the new MD of sponsors Millwood Designer Homes.

Apart from the traditional and well trusted format the club’s Development Chairman Steve Vincent was pleased to receive a cheque from Quinn Estates as part of their sponsorship support.

NFU Mutual as part of their support for the event had donated two tickets to watch Saracens play Leicester as part of the package, with Mickey Back being the lucky winner.

In addition the normal more conventional raffle was also held, this time in aid of the Indonesia appeal and raised a total of £220.

The next of the pre-match lunches is on 15^th December for the fixture against Thanet Wdrs, the Xmas Lunch is always well attended and booking are being taken now, so get your name down to avoid disappointment.

National 1: Another reshuffle at the top as despite all the leading sides losing Chinnor move back into pole position following their 6-13 loss to Bishops Stortford, Elthamians sit second following a high scoring 42-38 defeat at Sale, with Caldy in third after they lost out 24-14 at the hands of Plymouth Albion.  DMP closed the gap to move into fourth after they beat Moseley 36-41.  At the foot of the division Loughborough St fell to a 5-38 defeat to Rotherham, with Moseley just above them and Esher the other struggling side despite a 10-7 win over Cinderford.  In mid-table Cambridge beat Ampthill 6-13 and Blackheath were 23-15 winners against Rosslyn Pk.

National 2(S):  A 19-26 win for Rams at Barnes sees them stay top from Taunton who won a high scoring 36-46 encounter at bottom club Ldn Irish WG, Redruth’s 22-25 win at B&S sees them in third spot from TJs who won a low scoring match 0-10 at BSE.  The bottom of the table sees Ldn Irish and B&S as the bottom two with O Redcliffians just above them after they lost out 19-10 at O Albanians.  In the mid-table encounters Guernsey were 28-3 winners against Clifton whilst Canterbury beat Worthing 21-10, with Henley 20-15 winners against Dings.

London Premier:  The encounter between the top two sae Wimbledon move back to the top of the table after a solid 5-24 win at Westcliff, whilst Guildford’s 6-21 win at bottom club Shelford moved them into third.  A host of clubs then sit level on points although amongst them S&E and Tring both lost, going down to Hertford (31-3) and Sidcup (16-13) respectively, with the latter result moving the Kent club into the top six.  At the bottom of the division a 50-0 loss for Bedford Ath at Dorking, sees them just above Shelford, with Tunbridge Wells dropping into the bottom three after a 17-26 home defeat to visiting Brentwood.  Chingford are also amongst the strugglers after they went down to a 5-19 defeat against CS Stags.

London 1(S): A 16-12 defeat for Brighton at Sevenoaks saw them relinquish top spot to Medway who won 12-23 at Chobham, whilst Camberley sit third following their narrow 9-12 win at Ldn Cornish, Westcombe Pk sit fourth following their 10-24 win at Cobham and along with Sevenoaks there is now is distinctive five club leading group that have an early eight point buffer over the next mid-table club.  At the foot of the table, both Hove and Havant have yet to post a win, with Hove losing out 5-28 to visiting Tottonians and Havant beaten 22-16 at Thurrock, Chichester stay in the last of the relegation places after they fell to an 11-17  home defeat at the hands of Dartfordians.

London 2(SE):  A 52=3 hammering of H&W keeps Beckenham at the top of the table from Colfes who beat struggling Aylesford 40-10.  Dover sit third after being held to an 18-18 draw by Haywards Heath, whilst Charlton Pk fell to a second successive loss as they were beaten 24-20 at Horsham and drop into mid-table.  At the foot of the table Thanet were beaten 24-10 by Gravesend whilst Maidstone sit just above the early season danger zone after a narrow 10-13 loss to D&B.

London 3(SE):  A 24-5 win over H&B keeps Crowborough at the head of the division, a point clear of Dunstonians who won 19-30 at O Wills.  Beccs 24-35 win at Park Hse sees them in third from Pulborough who were just edged out 19-20 by visiting Vigo.  At the foot of the table the bottom two clashed with Folkestone solid 33-5 winners against Hellingly, whilst in mid-table Lewes were 39-21 winners against visiting Bromley.

Kent 1:  A big 63-8 win for Ashford over Whitstable keeps them at the top of the table, with Anchorians level on points after they posted a much narrower 15-22 win at NAG, with a 19-26 win for OGs at southwark putting them in third place.  At the foot of the table points dedictions keep RBS propping up the table despite a 17-10 win against Foots Cray, with Sheppey the other struggling club after they narrowly lost out 14-17 to Cranbrook.  The last of the fixtures saw a 13-0 win for HSBC over Kings Coll.

Kent 2:   Newcomers Cliffe continue to set the early pace after a 29-10 win against Bexley, with Sittingbourne in second following their 22-0 victory against Brockleians.  Lordswood sit in the upper half of the table after they beat Greenwich 13-19 with the last of the fixtures seeing a 0-27 win for Faversham against Dartford Valley, bottom club Askean sat this week out.

National 1: Yet another reshuffle as Caldy take top spot after a 31-29 win against Esher, whilst Chinnor were 21-26 winners at Cinderford and sit in second spot but level on points.  Elthamians are third, just a point behind following their 38-27 win against Mosely, with Cinderford and Ampthill, who beat Blackheath 33-22, just behind the fourth & fifth.  At the bottom end of the division Loughborough St are the early season strugglers after a 57-25 defeat at Bishops Stortford, Moseley and Esher sit just above them in the very early days drop zone.  Elsewhere DMP stopped the rot with a narrow 34-33 win against visiting Rosslyn Pk, whilst Cambridge were 32-26 winners against Plymouth Albion and Rotherham posted as similar result against Sale (32-27)

National 2(S):  A 42-27 win for Rams over BSE sees them continue to head the table from Taunton who beat Canterbury by the narrowest of margins 23-22., Redruth sit third after a convincing 50-36 win against Clifton with Kent clubs Canterbury and TJs locked together just below them following TJs 27-22 victory over visiting O Albanians.  The foot of the table sees Ldn Irish WG still looking for a first win after a 52-8 hammering by Dings, with Guernsey just above them after they posted their first win with a 21-26 win at Barnes.  B&S complete the bottom three after a 51-37 loss at Worthing.   In the outstanding mid-table encounter Henley defeated hosts O Redcliffians 15-31

London Premier:  Leaders at the start of the day Wimbledon slipped up, going down to a narrow 21-22 home defeat to CS Stags meaning that Westcliff take over at the head of the division following their 97-7 hammering of bottom club Shelford.  S&E’s narrow 24-22 win against Sidcup keeps them in third spot with Tring just below them after they won 28-23 against Dorking.  The foot of the table sees Bedford Ath just above Shelford and also still looking for a first win after losing out 22-29 to visiting Chingford, with Dorking completing the bottom three.  Both Hertford and Brentwood are early season strugglers, with Hertford just edging the battle between the two, 17-18. In the remaining fixture, Tunbridge Wells slip into the bottom half of the table after a tight 24-22 loss at Guildford.

London 1(S): a 68-20 win for Brighton over Dartfordians sees them continue to set the pace at the to, with Medway in second spot after they also posted 60-points with a 66-26 win against visiting Ldn Cornish. Camberley and Sevenoaks complete the top four after the Surrey club were convincing 50-11 winners against Thurrock and oaks beat Cobham 30-24.  The foot of the table sees Hove still struggling after a 38-14 loss at Westcombe Pk with somewhat surprisingly Havant and Chichester just above them after Chichester took the honours 39-32 in the battle between the two.  In the remaining mid-table clash, Tottonians just shaded Chobham 14-10 in a low scoring encounter.

London 2(SE):  With leading contenders Beckenham being held by Charlton Pk to what was a late injury time 20-20 draw, it’s Dover that move to the top of the division after they beat Gravesend 34-29. Haywards Heath are the highest placed Sussex club after they were 3-17 winners at Aylesford.  At the bottom Thanet prop up the table following a 33-47 loss to visiting Horsham, with Aylesford just above them and H&W completing the bottom three after they lost 18-23 to visiting Maidstone.  The last of the results saw a 26-30 win for Colfes at D&B which keeps the Horn Pk club in third with D&B stillin the bottom segment of the table.

London 3(SE):  Crowborough’s 14-36 win at Vigo sees them top the table from Dunstonians who posted a 48-37 win over Folkestone.  Pulborough’s 24-29 win at Beccs sees them in third spot from Bromley and O Wills who are locked tohgether in foutth & fifth places, with Bromley losing out 23-29 at home in the clash between the two clubs.  At the bottom, new boys Hellingly anchor the table after losing 9-36 to Park Hse and like Folkestone are still looking for a first win in the campaign. In an all Sussex mid-table clash, it was H&B that took the points after they overcame Lewes 38-22 in the last of the fixtures.

Kent 1:  It’s Ashford and Anchorians that remain undefeated and head the table, with the points difference from Ashford’s 0-83 mauling of Foots Cray giving them the advantage, whilst Anchorians had to settle for a more sedate 34-15 win over Sheppey. Southwark's 22-34 win at Whitstable sees them in third with OGs and Kings Coll just below them, with both posting 50-point wins as OGs were 50-10 winners against NAG and O Wills 50-8 winners against bottom club RBS. The remaining fixture saw another 50-point haul as Cranbrook mauled HSBC 54-5.

Kent 2:   Newcomers Cliffe Crusaders made it 2 from 2 with a convincing 15-42 win at Askean to lead the table after two rounds, Bexley are also on two wins but had a much tighter battle to edge out Sittingbourne 18-17, In the other fixtures, Brockleians were 37-7 winners against Greenwich whilst Lordswood were 24-0 winners against visiting Dartford Valley.  Faversham sat out this week

The first of this seasons pre match lunches is the home fixture against Deal & Betteshanger on Saturday 6^th October and is being supported by one of the club’s sponsors, NFU Mutual.

As an added incentive in addition to the usual lunch formalities etc, NFU Mutual have kindly sponsored a raffle against the lucky attendance ticket number with a pair of tickets to watch a Saracens home fixture of your choice for the winner.

As if good company, good food & drink and good club rugby wasn’t enough, there is now even more incentive to attend.

To put your name down to attend please contact Bob Beney. (click here)

The club is saddened to hear the news on Sunday 18th November, that the Chairman of Heathfield & Waldron has passed away. Dave Rhodes was a great character of whom we had the privilage of being hosted by earlier in the season. Dave took the reins at H&W working diligently and helping to maintain the ethos of a strong rugby community. He cruelly suffered a heart attack from which he did not recover.

On behalf of all at Maidstone FC, we want to pass on our condolences as a club and as a rugby family member to Mr. Rhodes family, as well as all at Heathfield & Waldron.

The club is saddened to hear of the passing of David Knight, who passed away Monday afternoon.

David was the father to Ben & Adam, who both played in the 1st XV up until the end of last season.

David was always a gentleman and possessed a great intellect for the game. Despite suffering from his illness, he was a regular supporter at the club throughout the time his sons played here.

The family has understandably requested privacy during this difficult time. On behalf of all at Maidstone FC, we send our deepest condolences and thoughts to the entire Knight family.

Dave's funeral will be held on Friday 12th October, 14:40 at Charing Crematorium, no black to be worn please.

The wake will be held at Ashford Rugby Club, all are welcome.

National 1: A bit of a reshuffle at the top as both Chinnor and Elthamians fell to their forst losses of the season, with Chinnor narrowly beaten 24-27 by visiting Caldy who move into third spot, and Elthamians beaten 37-24 at Rosslyn Pk who now sit in fourth.  Cinderford moved to the head of the table after an 8-39 win at Loughborough who now prop up the table and look like they may struggle again this season.  At the bottom end of the table, alongside Loughborough the early season strugglers are Esher, despite a 17-10 victory over Cambridge, and Bishops Stortford who fell to a 22-8 loss at sale.  Moseley are also amongst the bottom group along with Rotherham with the battle between the two going the way of the Birmingham club 28-22. In the other results Blackheath posted a solid 15-0 win against DMP whilst Plymouth Albion were 17-5 winners against Ampthill.

National 2(S):  It remains tight amongst the leading group of clubs, with Taunton still leading the way after a 20-28 win at B&S, Canterbury sit in the chasing pack after they were comfortable 40-18 winners against Dings, alongside them in terms of points are BSE who beat Barnes 22-12, and Rams despite losing out 18-10 at O Albanians who are themselves in the hunt. At the bottom the clubs showing early season signs of it being a long campaign are Ldn Irish WG who lost 15-35 to visiting O Redcliffians, B&S and Guernsey who were narrowly beaten 15-16 by Redruth. In mid-table Clifton were 37-15 winners over Worthing, whilst TJs stay in touch with the leading group after a 14-19 win at Henley.

London Premier:  At the head of the table Wimbledon look to be in cruise control as they racked up another big win with a 6-62 demolition of Shelford, whilst also unbeaten Westcliff stay second after a much tougher 16-19 win at Tunbridge Wells.  Evan after four matches a small gap is opening , but there’s a long way to go and S&E sit third after their 3-23 win at Dorking, with Tring and Sidcup in close proximity following an 11-17 win at Chingford and Sidcup’s 202-20 draw with visiting Brentwood.  At the foot of the table Shelford sit bottom with Bedford Ath just above them after they lost 12-35 to CS Stags. Surprisingly Hertford sit just above them as they were edged out 13-15 by visiting Guildford.

London 1(S): What looks like a rejuvenated Brighton this season head the table after they were 24-28 winners at Cobham, with Medway also undefeated in second spot after they were 10-20 winners against Thurrock.  Camberley and Sevenoaks sit close behind, with Camberley 18-33 winners at Chichester and Oaks beating Hove 7-31.  Westcombe pk are also in the leading group after they were convincing 0-40 winners at Chobham.  At the foot of the table it looks like it could be a hard season for Hove and some may be surprised to see that it’s a winless Havant and Chichester that sit just above them, with Havant having fallen to a 30-21 defeat this week at Dartfordians.  In the last of the matches Ldn Cornish posted a narrow 17-16 win against visiting Tottonians.

London 2(SE):  Beckenham remain the early season leaders after they put 42 unanswered points past bottom club Thanet, with Dover in second spot after a much tighter 18-10 resulat against Aylesford.  Colfes and Charlton Pk sit third and fourth respectively following wins against H&W (52-8) and Maidstone (13-43) respevctively.  At the foot of the table the bottom three are Thanet, Aylesford and H&W whilst in mid table Haywards Heath edged out D&B 16-15 and Gravesend enjoyed an equally tight 15-13 win over Horsham.

London 3(SE):  A 6-21 win at Folkestone sees Bromley the early season leaders, with Crowborough in second spot after they were 14-33 winners at Pulborough.  A 57-7 win for Beccs over Hellingly sees them in third spot from Dunstonians who won 8-15 at Park Hse.   Hellingly, Folkestone and Park Hse make up the early season basement battle with Lewes just above them and posting their first win with a 13-7 victory against Vigo, in a mid-table battle O Wills got the better of H&B with a solid 25-0 home victory.

Kent 1:  Anchorians and Ashford continue to set the pace at the top of the table with wins over OGs (29-14) and Kings Coll (40-7) respevctively, whilst a 33-21 win at Foots Cray sees Southwark move into third spot. At the bottom of the table RBS conceded their fixture against Cranbrook, their second concession in the opening three weeks of the campaign. Sheppey sit just above them after a 13-22 loss to HSBC.  In the remaining fixture NAG lost out 19-28 to visiting Whitstable.

Kent 2:   Opening day of the campaign at this level with a new name to add to the roster as Cliffe Crusaders join the league after a couple of seasons in the Kent RFU R&MK leagues; and it looks like they started in top gear, posting a convincing 81-12 rout of Faversham to make a real opening day statement to the others.  In the other results Brockleians fell to a 0-10 loss to visiting Bexley, whilst Dartford valley posted a 0-21 opening day win at Greenwich.  Sittingbourne were another who posted a big win on opening day, with a 60-5 result against Askean, whilst Lordswood sat out the opening weekend.

National 1: We’ll open this week’s round up with Blackheath hosting Elthamians in the Kent derby fixture, but firstly an apology to Elthamians, who I wrongly reported as having lost by the odd point last week, when in fact they actually won against Rotherham by that margin.  Anyway back to this week and the early season bragging rights went to visiting Elthamians with a 10-21 win to keep them amongst the early leaders.  Top of the pile after two weeks are last season’s runners up as DMP ran in a 42-19 win against Rotheram, with Chinnor and Rosslyn Pk also in the early season chasing group after home wins against Ampthill (38-33) and Bishops Stortford (25-17) respectively. After drawing last week, Cambridge and Sale posted their first wins, Cambridge were 14-20 winners at Loughborough whilst Sale edged out Caldy by a couple of points in a 26-24 scoreline. In the remaining fixtures Cinderford just edged out Moseley by a pint, 23-24 whilst Esher fell to their second defeat as Plymouth Albion took the spoils 21-24.

National 2(S):  Another county derby at national level as city club Canterbury hosted TJs and home advantage told as they posted a 29-20 win over their county rivals to get their campaign back on track. At the top the early pace setters are Henley after a tight 26-24 result against Barnes, with Redingensians (now called Rams) posting a comfortable 10-41 win at Ldn Irish WG.  Redruth’s tight 29-27 win over Taunton keeps them in the early season trio of unbeaten clubs.  Elsewhere Guernsey fell to a second defeat as they lost 26-35 to visiting Worthing, as did O Redcliffians on their trip to Birmingham & S, going down 42-38 in a high scoring affair.  BSE posted their first win with a 27-39 result at O Albanians whilst in the last of the matches and a West country derby, the honours went to new boys Dings Crusaders as they overcame hosts Clifton 11-17.

London Premier:  Wimbledon and S&E top the early season table after Wimbledon brought Tunbridge Wells back down to earth with a thump, inflicting a heavy 8-52 defeat, whilst S&E posted were 29-34 winners at CS Stags. Westcliff and Brentwood are the other two unbeaten clubs, with Westcliff narrow 27-29 winners at Sidcup, whilst Brentwood maintained their record over Chingford who they were promoted alongside, in another narrow result 23-28.A heavy 48-10 defeat for Shelford at Hertford could well be the portent to a long and arduaous season for the Cambridge club as they occupy bottom spot, with Bedford Ath just above them after they lost 24-26 to visiting Tring. The last of the matches saw another close result as Dorking overcame visiting Surrey rivals Guildford 16-13

London 1(S): Two sides who struggled last campaign currently head the table, with Chobham in top spot after a tight 29-27 win against visiting Cobham, whilst Brighton also remain with a perfect record after they were more comfortable 22-39 winners in their local derby at Hove.  Medway are the only other unbeaten side after they posted a 15-35 win at newly promoted Dartfordians.  One of the most impressive results of the day was the 54-26 win for promoted Camberley over visiting Havant and certainly puts down a marker for other clubs not to take them lightly.  Tottonians, who are traditionally strong in the early season posted a solid 22-30 win at Chichester t recover from last week’s narrow defeat, whilst Ldn Cornish took the honours with the last play of the match against Sevenoaks to win 26-19.  The last of the fixtures saw Westcombe Pk stumble to a 32-22 loss in their trip north of the Thames to Thurrock.

London 2(SE):  The first weeks statements of intent were made by Colfes and Horsham, with Colfes posting a convincing 59-17 win over newly promoted Thanet, whilst Horsham’s expansive all-court game was too much for hosts Maidstone as they ran out 23-50 winners.  Gravesend, who came down alongside Colfes and Maidstone also lost as they were well beaten by Beckenham 15-31, whilst Dover, who finished last season strongly, picked up where they left off, with a solid 38-12 victory over H&W.  The remaining fixtures posted tight results as Haywards Heath just edged Charlton Pk 27-24 whilst D&B won by the odd point in the 24-25 result at Aylesford.

London 3(SE):  Dunstonians sit top after a high scoring 40-52 match at new boys Hellingly, Fellow promoted club Beccehamians also lost out 14-20 to a visiting Bromley side that are always strong in the opening weeks of the season.  Pulborough and O Wills also posted BP wins, with the Sussex club 35-31 winners against Lewes and O Wills 29-26 winners against visiting Crowborough. Vigo also got their campaign off to a winning start with a tight 22-23 win at Folkestone whilst park Hse and H&B fought out a 26-26 opening day draw.

Kent 1:  A big 71-0 win for Anchorians over Foots Cray sees them top of the opening weekend pile, from Ashford, who were 48-9 winners against HSBC.  OG’s also [posted an opening day win with a 38-17 win over Whitstable, whilst Southwark were 37-27 winners against Cranbrook.  In the last of the matches played, King Coll just overcame hosts NAG 30-32 whilst Sheppey picked up the points without even taking the field as RBS conceded the fixture.

National 1: At the top Chinnor and Elthamians maintained their early season unbeaten records with newly promoted Chinnor edging out hosts Cambridge 20-22 whilst Elthamians posted a solid 31-22 win over a DMP side many regarded as the preseason favourites.  Wins for Ampthill and Cinderford keep them in touch as Cinderford were 40-31 winners against Sale and Ampthill’s 35-20 result against Esher sees their visitors anchoring the early table; also at the bottom end of the table, Moseley suffered a heavy 52-8 defeat at Bishop’s Stortford.  In the other results, Blackheath staged a good comeback to take a tight 20-21 win at Plymouth Albion, and Rotherham got off the mark with their first win in a 29-12 result against Rosslyn Pk. in the last of the fixtures, A 43-19 win for Caldy against Loughborough St in a Sunday fixture saw them move above DMP into the top 5, whilst Loughborough are still looking for their first win of the campaign

National 2(S):  Redingensians (Rams) are the early leaders with a perfect record after a 43-13 dismantling of Henley with Taunton in second spot following their 36-13 win over Clifton in a Friday night fixture.  BSE and Worthing complete a top four and both had high scoring encounters, with BSE running in 70 points against Guernsey (70-26), whilst Worthing posted an impressive 68-21 win over visiting Redruth.  Of the county’s clubs, Canterbury were 21-43 winners on the road at O Redcliffians whilst TJs posted a similar scoreline (47-19) against bottom club Ldn Irish WG.  In the remaining matches, Dings were 15-10 winners over B&S, whilst Barnes fell to a 24-33 defeat to visiting O Albanians.

London Premier:  At the top, the only undefeated sides are Wimbledon and Westcliff, with leaders Wimbledon 36-20 winners against Bedford Ath and Westcliff convincing 42-10 winners against visiting Hertford.  Sidcup sit third after a 25-31 win at Guildford with three clubs all level on point just below them.  Tring were 45-24 winners over CS Stags, S&E fell to an 11-38 loss to visiting Chingford whilst Tunbridge Wells bounce back from last week’s heavy loss with a 27-34 win over bottom club Shelford.   In the last of the fixtures Dorking were 15-24 winners at Brentwood.

London 1(S): At the head of the table Brighton maintained their perfect record with a convincing 67-26 win against a Havant who find themselves at the wrong end of the table, with the also unbeaten Medway in second spot after they edged out Chichester 25-20 in a tight encounter.  In the immediate chasers, Cobham were 29-12 winners over bottom club Hove and Camberley were convincing 76-10 winners against visiting Dartfordians; Sevenoaks stretched to a 27-8 win over Chobham.  In the other matches Westcombe Pk were 52-26 winners against Ldn Cornish and Tottonians fell to a 21-27 home defeat at the hands of Thurrock.

London 2(SE):  After two weeks Beckenham head the table after they ran in 50 points against Horsham (22-50), whilst Dover sit just below them following a somewhat tighter 5-8 win at D&B.  After a big win last week, Colfes fell to a 43-35 loss at Charlton Pk. At the bottom of the table it is last season’s two promoted sides that prop up the table as Aylesford lost out 12-24 to visiting Gravesend and Thanet fell to an 18-22 defeat at the hand of a somewhat makeshift visiting Maidstone.  in the remaining fixture, H&W took the honours 20-15 against Haywards Heath in a Sussex derby.

London 3(SE):  A 25-33 win for Pulborough at Hellingly sees them as the early leaders, with Vigo, who won 45-7 against O Wills, and Bromley who beat Park Hse 25-20 in the most local of derbies, as the only unbeaten sides after week two.  At the bottom Hellingly prop up the table with Folkestone, who lost 39-29 at H&B, just above them. In the other fixtures, Dunstonians lost out in a high scoring 35-42 encounter to Beccs, and Crowborough just edged out Sussex rival Lewes 35-31.

Kent 1:  The top four all have perfect records after week two with Anchorians heading the table after a 21-36 win at Whitstable, Ashford sit just below them following their 13-22 result at Cranbrook.  A 26-7 win for OGs over Sheppey places them third with Kings Coll completing the top four after they were 39-27 winners against Southwark. At the bottom RBS occupy the foot of the table after a 55-5 defeat in the battle of the banks against HSBC. Elsewhere Foot Cray recovered from last week’s mauling despite falling to a more creditable 6-10 loss to visiting NAG. 

Well here we are again at the start of another season and another series of sad Saturday nights for the author; were did the summer go?  As was the case last year it has taken a little perseverance to ‘get my arse in gear’ so to speak, but thankfully this season’s first instalment is not quite as arduous as the normal weekly fare due to there only being fixtures down to level 6.  So here we go with the 2018-198 season’s Around the Grounds, and in doing so may I wish all your respective clubs the best of luck in their various league & cup campaigns.

National 1: Mixed fortunes for the county’s sides with Blackheath posting a solid 7-36 win against an Esher outfit that finished in mid table last season.  Elthamians made the long trip to Rotheram to face a Titans side that will be looking to return to the Championship after relegation last season; in the end they fell short by the odd point in a high scoring 33-34 result.  Of the clubs that were in the promotion battle last season, DMP were narrow 23-26 winners at Bishops Stortford whilst Plymouth Albion fell to an 11-26 home defeat to newly promoted Chinnor, and Ampthill ran out 43-34 winners against visiting Loughborough St. Both of the remaining fixtures involved newly promoted sides with Cambridge being held to a high scoring 36-36 draw by visiting new boys, Sale.  Cinderford made it a full set of win, draw and loss for the promoted sides as they fell to a 29-36 defeat at the hands of Rosslyn Pk.

National 2(S): City club Canterbury fell to an opening day defeat as they were overpowered 44-15 by Redingensians who finished third last time out and will probably feature amongst the promotion challengers this time around.  TJs on the other hand were narrow 22-19 winners against newly promoted Birmingham & Solihull.  Another of the sides that may well feature in the promotion battle is Taunton, as they hammered visiting Worthing 62-24, they will probably be doing battle with O Albanians as they ran in a big 59-5 win against newly promoted Guernsey in their bid for an immediate return to Nat 1. Redruth may also be in the thick of the promotion battle as they kicked off their campaign with a 17-25 win at promoted Dings Crusaders, whilst Barnes were the only one of the promoted clubs to post a win, with a 33-14 win over Ldn Irish WG. In the remaining fixtures O Redcliffians fell to a narrow 14-17 home defeat to Clifton, whilst BSE lost out to visiting Henley in a high scoring 37-45 result.

London Premier: Two of the fancied sides this season are likely to be Hertford and Tring having finished 3^rd & 4^th respectively last time out, neither got their campaigns off to a good start, as Hertford fell to 35-27 defeat at Tunbridge Wells who finished last season strongly.  Tring went down 28-15 at Wimbledon who dropped down from Nat 2(S) at the end of last season.  Sidcup are the county’s other representatives in this division and they were convincing 5-37 winners at Shelford.  Of the promoted sides, Brentwood just edged out CS Stags (formerly CS Rugby 1863) 15-14 with the last kick of the match, whilst Chingford just lost out 34-31 at Guildford.  S&E posted a solid 49-25 win over Bedford Athletic who join the division on promotion and by virtue of a geographical level transfer from the Midlands divisions.  The last of the fixtures saw Westcliff 27-20 winners against Dorking.

London 1(S):  Of the county’s four representatives in the division, Medway are one of the favourites and made a good start with a 35-14 win over a Havant side that will no doubt challenge this season, whilst Sevenoaks also posted a convincing win with a 40-15 scoreline against Thurrock.  Westcombe Pk who dropped down into the division also made a winning start with a 22-17 win against Chichester, who finished fourth last time out, with Dartfordians having been promoted into the division completing a clean sweep of wins for the county clubs as they posted a narrow 25-27 away win at Tottonians.  Brighton were 32-21 winners against promoted Camberley, and Cobham edged out Ldn Cornish with a 29-25 result, whilst in the last of the matches, new boys Hove might find life tough this season as they were nulled by 27 points by visiting Chobham.

Kent Shield: The only other competitive fixture was in the county cup competition as Maidstone hosted near neighbours Aylesford. In a match that the hosts never quite came to grips with they just lost out 20-23 and will rue their failure to convert first half opportunities that could have put the match to bed by half-time.

We are sad to report the death of our long-serving member Pete Sime who passed away on Wednesday.

Pete has been a member of the club since the 1960’s and captained the 4^th XV (Extra A) in the early 70’s and still gracing the field up until 1980.  In a quote from the club’s history it mentioned that “Peter was playing the same standoff game in 1970 as he does today, which means quietly effective, without covering every blade of grass and scoring the occasional try” Pete was also very good soccer player, a sport that was really his first love.

In his latter years Pete was an almost ever present supporter of the 1^st XV, both at home and away.

Our condolences go out to Pete’s wife Val and daughters Mandy and Becky.

The funeral takes place at Vinters Crematorium on Wednesday 12^th September at 10.15am. (Club blazers and ties).

The club is sad to report the passing of Neil Beech on Wednesday, after suffering from a short but acute illness.  Neil was the father of Rory, who represented the club playing with the 1^st XV for the past 3 seasons.  Although not a member Neil was a regular spectator and attendee of club lunches.  He was a great rugby man who had a long involvement with the sport, largely with Ashford RFC where he had served as coach and referee, primarily involved with Rory’s age group youth rugby.

Always good company, he was one of life’s characters.

Our condolences got to his wife Judith and children Victoria, Rory & Sam at this sad time.

Matchball Sponsorship opportunities  still remain available for next season's home league and cup fixtures, all the fixtures in the first half of the season have now been taken up with Heathfield & Waldron the first of the 6 home league fixtures in 2019 on 12th Jan that remain available  The cost is £50; if you or your company would be interested in being a Matchball Sponsor for one of these fixtures then please contact Bob Hayton in the first instance:

Available: 

01 Sept 18 v Aylesford (Kent Shield) = Sold

12 Jan 19 v Heathfield & Waldron = Sold (Craig Tuffrey)

02 Mar 19 v Haywards Heath = Sold (Paul Ehrhart - Club President)

30 Mar 19 v Beckenham = Sold (Martin Sharp)

There are also Shirt No Sponsorship opportunities still available at £150 for the season as follows:

Shirt Nos: 6, 10, 11, 17 & 18.  All now Sold

There are times when it seems that the emphasis appears to be on the senior part of the club, however, perhaps less noticeable and high profile is the success of the youth age groups and there players.  to redress this we'd like to highlight a bit of news about Harvey Beaton a Sutton Valence School pupil and Maidstone player up to the U16 age group, of which he was part of the team that beat Elthamians to win the Kent Cup two seasons ago.

Now with Saracens Academy, Harvey has also been playing representative rugby at county level and is currently part of the England U18 squad in South Africa for the Aon U18 International Series.  Harvey was in the starting XV for the fixture against France and part of the matc squad against Wales where he came on to score in the closing stages.

The sides final fixture in the series is this coming Saturday (18th) v South Africa Schools.

The club is delighted to announce that Lucian Morosan has accepted captaincy of the 1st XV for the 2018/19 season.

Lucian is without doubt one of the longest serving players at the club and brings a wealth of experience to the role. Lucian knows and understands the club so well and always leads by example on the pitch, at training and off the pitch. Lucian's maturity and experience will be of great value as we jump feet first into the challenge of re-establishing Maidstone FC as one the of the best clubs in Kent and ultimately reaching our One Great Club ambition.

A short word from the new President

The draw has been made for the Shepherd Neame Kent Cup competitions, with the club competing in the Shield for the first time.  Of the 13 eleigible clubs at Ldn 2 & 3 level only seven have entered the competition so the tournament starts at the Quarter-Finals with one club receiving a bye.

Perhaps the most eyecatching of the fixtures is Maidstone's home draw against near neighbours Aylesford, adding another local derby to an already interesting season.

The Quarter Final clash will take place on Saturday 1st September at 3.00pm on the top pitch. Come on down and cheer the lads on as we hope to start as we mean to go on.

In the other ties, Charlton Park host a Dover outft that ended last season strongly, whilst Gravesend entertain newly promoted Ldn 3 (SE) club Beccehamians.

The full draw is as follows:

Maidstone v Aylesford

Charlton Park v Dover

Gravesend v Beccehamians

O Dunstonians v Bye

What more could you wish for?  An opening day that gave us some glorious weather with a great game of rugby in a local derby, even if it wasn’t the result we were looking for (not to mention a pleasant game of cricket also taking place).  In addition we also had Nick Baster, Managing Director from new Platinum Sponsors Logic CP on hand to watch the action.

Whilst he was there club Chairman Craig Tuffrey and 1^st XV skipper Lucien Morosan took the time to present him with one of this season’s 1^st XV shirts.

New sponsors Logic CP are a Maidstone based construction project company and have lent their support to the club on a 2-year deal as Platinum sponsors.  In addition they are also assisting in some other projects to benefit the club.

For those interested in the RFU Cup competitions, the draw has been made for this year’s cup campaigns, although given the number of eligible clubs, the number of entries looks to be disappointing:

RFU Intermediate Cup:  Seven of the nine eligible Kent clubs have entered with two in action in a first round of 5 fixtures with the remainder receiving byes to Round 2.  Both the sides find themselves with away fixtures as Beckenham travel to face Romford & Gidea Pk, whilst Aylesford have the tough task of facing last season’s national champions O Cranleighians.  The other fixtures see Chiswick host Suffolk club Stowmarket whilst O Alleynians entertain Farnham; Southwold agan Hammersmith & Fulham is the last of the fixtures.

Byes: Charlton Park, Dover, Gravesend, Harpenden, Horsham, Letchworth, Maidstone, Norwich, Old Colfeians, Old Reigatian and Saffron Walden

RFU Senior Vase:  Only three entries from the eligible eight clubs in the county and with only O Cooperians receiving a bye, all will be in action in the opening round. Folkestone travel to Battersea Ironsides, whilst Bromley, who have a good record in this competition will host Hampshire based Trojans; Dunstonians also have a home draw as they host Harrow.  In the other fixtures, Fakenham host Barking, Sussex based Hellingly host Portsmouth whilst Maldon are at home to West Norfolk.  The last of the fixtures sees Norfolk club Thetford at home to Chelmsford.

RFU Junior Vase:  Both Ashford and Anchorians went well in last season’s competition although neither are in action in the opening round, as along with New Ash Green the have byes in the first round.  Only Sittingbourne and Bexley are in action in Round 1, with Bexley travelling to Mill Hill, whilst Sittingbourne entertain London Media.

Byes: Ashford, Bank of England, Barnet Elizabethans, Basingstoke, Bognor, Burgess Hill, Chipstead, East Grinstead, Fareham Heathans, Gillingham Anchorian, Hitchin, Law Society, New Ash Green, Old Mid Whitgiftians, Old Wimbledonians, St. Albans, Sandown & Shanklin, Seaford, Staines and Uckfield

For full details on the draw for all the competitions click here

Since December the clubhouse has had fitted a state of the art CCTV system, which can be recorded and  monitored from behind the bar at all times. In this day and age you can never be too careful when it comes to safeguarding your home, or even your second home!

Strike Security is run by our very own Matt Iles and his professionalism and installation are right up there. Strike Security offer IP & Turbo CCTV installations for both the home and business. They also offer intruder alarms and door access control.

So, if you are looking for a professional and reliable service, then get in touch with Matt. Or to find out more, take a look at the website at www.strike-security.com.

Are you a self employed tradesman?

Could you benefit from an entry on the club's trade directory?

The directory contains the details of those members of the club that provide a range of skills and services that may be of use for other members of the club; after all you never know when you might need an electrician or plumber.  If you are having renovation or installation work done; would you sooner have your kitchen fitted by someone you know, or a total stranger?

The aim of the directory is to put you in touch with those people in the club with the appropriate skills to help.

There is no cost involved in having an entry on the directory for members.  If you are not a member but would like to be included in the directory then there is a nominal annual fee.

The club has been approached by a member with connections to a reputable watchmaking organisation. They would like to produce a stunning sports watch for Maidstone FC, complete with a gift box. The illustrations below are an example of what the watch would look like. Boasting Miyota Quartz movement, a stainless steel strap and water resistance of up to 10ATM, this could be the perfect gift for family and friends.

These watches usually retail around £115, but the club is looking at a bargain price for its members of £75.
Before an order can be placed, the club would like to gain interest in the watches as the outlay for this kind of quality product is obviously considerable.

Please let us know if you would like to reserve one of these watches either on Facebook or by emailing MaidstoneRFC@outlook.com. If there is enough interest, further details will follow in due course.

For pretty much the past 20yrs, amongst his other contributions to the club, Trevor Langley has reported on the 1^st XV fixtures.  However the 2017-18 season was his last as he places the cap on his pen (or more pertinently in the computer age, slides his keyboard away) to spend more time with his family, particularly the grandchildren.

The club is looking for someone (or a group of people) to take on this task to ensure that regular match reports are published for both the local press and the club website. 

We are not looking for the next JRR Tolkien, or for that matter Stephen Jones or Nick Cain; just someone who is prepared to string a few paragraphs together that create an accurate and objective reflection of each fixture.

As previously said, this doesn’t have to be one person, it can be a role that is split amongst 2-3 people throughout the season.

Those willing to help out and make a contribution please contact a member of the committee.

The fixtures schedule for the new season has been published, somewhat earlier than usual and sees a division dominated numerically by Kent clubs who provide nine of the twelve clubs.  The machinations of promotion and relegation meant that there had been talk that Horsham had voluntarily level transferred across to Ldn 2(SW), this has proved not to be the case with Alleynians making the switch, as Maidstone will o[pen their league campaign hosting the Sussex club at The Mote on the 8^th Sept. The following week sees the shortest away trip of the campaign across the M20 to Aylesford the following week for an early season local derby, with a home fixture against Charlton Pk and then a trip to Heathfield & W to round out the opening month.

The club website will be updated in due course, but in the meantime for full details of the fixture schedule click here

The club is pleased to announce that as we go into the closed season the club’s sponsorship campaign continues to progress, although work on the 2018-19 season started midway through this past campaign.

Circumstances have meant that Hospitality Finder have stepped aside as one of the club’s Platinum Sponsors although they will continue their support at some other level. Chief Executive Mike Dunderdale is keen to continue his support to the club but is currently unable to commit to a specific level, on that basis he had graciously allowed the club to progress other leads in order to be able to plan with some certainty.  With that in mind and following disussions with MD Nick Baster, the club is pleased to announce Maidstone based Logic CP as new Platinum level sponsors with a two year agreement covering the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. They join long term sponsors Cripps Law and also Millwood Designer Homes who have both renewed their support for the coming season.

At Gold level, long term sponsors Firmin Group, Britelite, Crowe Clark Whitehill, Alltask/Hehku, Oakley Capital and Sharpak Aylesham have also renewed their sponsorship along with Linton Fuel Oils. They are joined this season by Quinn Estates who are our development partners as we look to the future.

Silver level sponsors Shepherd Neame remain on board and discussions with ATAC Solutions are ongoing, but we say farewell to two long term supporters of the club in Sibley Pares and Morlings Solicitors, both companies that have shared a long standing personal and sponsorship connections with the club.

Discussions are ongoing with our Bronze level partners although currently Allsands Buildbase, CEMEX, Designer Contracts, Express Cars, Earl Street Employment, Maidstone Scaffolding and Topbond PLC have all renewed.

On the fitness front discussions are in progress as part of the club’s preseason training regime with Maidstone’s Welcome Gym (formerly Topnotch) to maintain their significant 'Benefit in Kind' contradeal arrangement with the county town club. Communication is currently ongoing with the  other local and regional companies who have expressed an interest in supporting the club, in addition to work being conducted in assembling some new partnerships to enhance the level of physiotherapy support provided by the club,

Maidstone Rugby have a variety of sponsorship package templates available to suit all budgets, if you or your company would like to generate a positive local or regional profile in being seen to support high quality community based grassroots sport, then we would love to hear from you.

There will be a players meeting at the club on the 12th June @ 7:00pm.  The evening will consist of a presentation from the management and coaches as well as a chance to catch up and meet some new faces before training starts the following Tuesday. Food will be available on the night.

If you are new to the area or looking at moving clubs for whatever reason, then please come along. For catering purposes if you are a new player please contact Head Coach Mike Hebden via the website Contacts page prior to the evening so he knows you're attending and who you are.

we look forward to catching up with you all and laying out our plans for an exciting 2018-19 season. 

First training session will be Tuesday 19th June.

Maidstone has a long and illustrious rugby lineage, having been officially formed in 1880. Over the past 138 years the club has been through many ups and downs, been reported on in various media outlets and remains the county town club.

With such a vast history, the club is now looking at gathering as much as it can, to digitize as much as possible for everyone to have access to. This is of course a huge task and we do have some willing volunteers to help collect information and look to find an exciting and hopefully interactive way to view our history on the website. If you'd like to help, please get in touch with the Admin Team @ MaidstoneRFC@outlook.com.

In the meantime, the book commemorating our first 100 years is now available for you to download for free! It's a fascinating read and can be found on our 'History' tab.

The club will be participating in the RBS Rugby Force weekend again this year, there are a variety of odd jobs to do around the grounds to help the team get the pitches & surrounding areas ready for the new season. 

the main areas of emphasis this year are a major tidy up of the boundaruy fence along Willow Way, painting of the waste bins as well as some general tidying up.

Please bring garden implements along plus also strimmers and the like if you have them.  For those that have chainsaws, these would be very useful for a couple of jobs but any major use of these will be conducted by qualified persons.

Please come on down and feel free to bring some implements to assist in the general husbandry, as well as enjoy a laugh along with a cool beverage in the sun. 

Here are the winners for the 500 club end of season draw:

£100 - John Fuggle

£50 - Mike Hebden and John Fuggle

£30 - Mike Lawrenson

Join now for next season; you've got to be in it to win it!!

All members and coaches are to be aware that we have had the contractors in over the last week conducting the pitch maintenance and repairs.  In all 120 tonnes of topdressing and rootzone has been spread across the pitches with the bulk of the work having been on the Top and Training pitches.  In addition to aeration  to revitalise heavy wear areas by relieve soil compaction, improving aeration and aid the removal of surface water.  Finally, all the pitches have been reseeded.  Please be aware the the lower, more worn section of the Tag pitch has also been seeded.

Coaches and players are requested to stay of the playing surfaces until at least mid June to give the seed the best chance to germinate, even then there are obvious worn areas that will need more time to recover. coaches are requested when planning your preseason training programmes to please speak to Bob Hayton for the best areas to use according to the amount of space you require.

Your cooperation is appreciated

Data laws are changing. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018 and represents a reshaping of the data protection landscape.

In simple terms, GDPR will help protect the personal data of those involved in rugby by requiring better governance and transparency. Organisations like ourselves who are holding personal data need to provide more information to people about what they do with those people’s data, why, and for how long.

From a club perspective what does this mean?  Well, you may have noticed that your inbox has been bombarded lately with a series of emails from various organisations that you have subscrbed to at some point or other, asking if you wish to continue receiving email communications. We are not quite as sophisticated as that, but as a club, our Chairman does send out a monthly newsletter via email and we are also looking at distributing information pertaining to the AGM and possibly other periodic missives via email.

If you are a member and not getting the newsletter, then you won't receive the other information, so if you want to be kept up to date on what's happening then please contact Chairman Craig Tuffrey via email (click here) to 'opt in' to receiving email communications.

National 1: Last season Hartpury took the title by a 30-point margin and this time around it was Coventry that proved equally impressive as they secured the league title and promotion in early March. The county’s two representatives in the division finished in the leading group with Blackheath never quite having enough to challenge for the title and ending up in fifth spot.  For newcomers O Elthamians, their upward trend continues as after losses on the opening weekends they climbed to sit in seventh place at the season’s mid-point, and then improved on that to finish in sixth place just 7 points adrift of Blackheath.

At the bottom of the table Fylde struggled all season and finished bottom of the table, their relegation confirmed in early March. O Albanians once they slipped into the drop zone always looked destined to stay there, but in reality the other two relegation places were contested between three clubs, with Hull Ionians and Loughborough Students the other two strugglers although Rosslyn Pk flirted with danger near the end.  O Albanians relegation was confirmed on the final weekend and with Hull facing the champions as the season’s finale their survival chances also disappeared.

Promoted: Coventry.

Relegated: Fylde, O Albanians and Hull Ionians.

National 2(South): By the season’s mid-point the promotion battle looked to have narrowed down to a battle between Chinnor and Cinderford although it wasn’t until mid-April that Cinderford were confirmed champions with Chinnor taking the playoff position that had been secured by the end of March and going on to defeat Sedgley Pk (Nat 2(N)) in the end of the season playoff.  Canterbury never really challenged and after hitting the campaign mid-point in seventh spot they tailed off in the latter half of the season to finish in lower mid-table (10^th).  New boys Tonbridge Juddians did the reverse and having found their feet by the halfway point climbed to a season ending position of 6^th which when analysing their results is probably a reasonable reflection on their season.  At the bottom newcomers Broadstreet and Wimbledon struggled and always looked favourites for the drop, but as seems the case in this division there were a host of clubs that could have joined them although this gradually thinned out to just two sides going into the final month of the campaign. In the end it was the mid-April clash between the two that resolved the issue with Barnstaple, having been reprieved last season, consigning O Redcliffians to the drop and meaning that three of the four clubs promoted into the division at the end of last season drop back down after just one campaign.

Promoted: Cinderford and Chinnor (Playoff v Sedgley Park (Nat 2N))

Relegated: Broadstreet, Wimbledon and O Redcliffians.

London & SE Premier: It been quite a while since Kent had three representatives at Level 5, and in a retitled division this season the mid-point sees mixed fortunes for the county’s clubs.  Of the three it was Tunbridge Wells that had the best season as they improved on the mid-table positioning at the halfway stage to finish fifth, although some 20+points shy of the top four clubs.  The league title wasn’t decided until the final weekend and Guernsey, who had set the pace for much of the latter half of the campaign slipped up in early April to be overhauled by Barnes for the automatic promotion spot, with the Channel islanders going into the playoffs to face Bournemouth.  Westcombe Pk who might have been expected to be one of the main challengers struggled all season and were always mired in the relegation battle which they were never able to recover from and were consigned to relegation on the final day. Sidcup hit the halfway point having looked to have found their feet in the division, but a poor second half to the season saw them flirting with the drop zone, only easing their worries on the penultimate weekend.

Promoted: Barnes and Guernsey (Playoff v Bournemouth (SW Prem))

Relegated: Towcestrians, Southend and Westcombe Park.

London 1 (South):  After having set the pace since early season a wobble at the end of February saw Medway cede pole position to CS Rugby who needed no further invitation and holding their form until the last day took the league title and the automatic promotion place. With Medway’s stutter being against their promotion rivals it made for an interesting run in right up to the last day of the season but they held their nerve to hold off Havant and take the runners up spot, only to narrowly lose out in the promotion playoff to a Chingford side that had themselves been similarly disappointed the year before.  For the other Kent clubs it was a disappointing season with Sevenoaks being the only side not to be embroiled in the relegation battle, although a string of seven consecutive narrow losses in the third quarter of the campaign had them looking over their shoulders.  In the end the relegation battle involved only four clubs but it was away from the pitch that the last relegation place was decided when confirmation of a 5-point deduction for O Colfeians in the final week snatched away any hopes of last day reprieve and saw them accompany Gravesend and Maidstone in the drop down to Level 7 next season.

Promoted: CS Rugby,

Runners Up: Medway (Playoff v Chingford Ldn 1(N)) 

Relegated: Gravesend, Maidstone and O Colfeians

London 2(South East): After a third placed finish last season Dartfordians were obvious candidates to progress this time around and they had already secured the league title before their only loss in a late season defeat by Haywards Heath.  The runner up spot was fought out between a number of sides going into the last quarter, with Charlton Pk and Beckenham in the mix.  The closing weeks saw the order constantly shuffle as first Beckenham fell away and then Charlton Pk and it was Hove who had created a big enough cushion to be able to hold position and then secure promotion via the playoffs against O Reigatians.  A good late season run by Dover saw them finish in the top half of the table whilst Deal & Betteshanger as they did last season, flirted with the relegation zone along with Heathfield & Waldron but in the end had sufficient of a points margin that they were safe by mid-March as the two sides below them endured torrid campaigns and Pulborough’s relegation was confirmed, with Barking’s denouement having come in mid-February and will see them return north of the Thames for their fixtures next season in the restructured NW quadrant at L8 that consists of and Essex division and also an Eastern Counties division.

Promoted: Dartfordians and Hove (Playoff v O Reigatians (Ldn 2(SE))

Relegated: Barking and Pulborough.

London 3(South East): In a division dominated by Kent clubs, who provided eight of the twelve competitors it was the county’s clubs that dominated the upper half of the table with only Crowborough of the Sussex clubs managing a top half finish.  Mid-March saw Aylesford and Thanet Wdrs secure promotion and the run in to the season finale was only to sort out the final positions, with Aylesford eventually securing the league title in early April.  Bromley and O Williamsonians completed the top four with O Wills enjoying a very satisfying first season at the level.  In the bottom half of the table Crawley anchored the table along with Sheppey as both struggled from the first weekend.  The battle for the third relegation place was something of an ever moving feast in the latter half of the campaign.  Park House had looked favourites for the drop at the mid-season point but managed to pull clear, Folkestone’s inconsistency saw them drop into the danger zone as did Hastings & Bexhill’s, as they slumped  down the table and into the relegation battle. In a contest that went to the last weekend it was Folkestone that filled the last relegation place, although they have gained a reprieve as a result of Barking’s relegation and return to playing their fixtures north of the Thames.

Promoted: Aylesford and Thanet Wdrs.

Relegated: Crawley and Sheppey.

Shepherd Neame Kent 1:  Having been one of the leading promotion contenders in the last campaign, Beccehamians have continued the momentum and secured the league title and promotion in the run up to the Easter break. The battle for the playoff spot ran into April with a constant reshuffling of the chasing pack, in the end it was Vigo that held there nerve as challenges from Ashford, Anchorians, Cranbrook and Kings College Hospital all faltered.  Vigo then went on to defeat Sussex club Uckfield in the promotion playoff to secure their return to Ldn 3 for next season.  In a division that was clearly divided into two halves, at the bottom Sittingbourne always struggled but it took some time for the  relegation picture to clear gradually narrowing down to a battle between Southwark, New Ash Green (NAG) and RBS as to who would also go down. In the end it was a final weekend shootout between Southwark and NAG that saw NAG join Sittingbourne in the drop. However, the knock on effect of Barking’s relegation and level transfer north of the Thames which saw Folkestone reprieved, in combination with Vigo’s playoff success, has also meant that NAG will now also avoid the drop

Promoted:  Beccehamians and Vigo (Playoff v Uckfield (Sussex 1))

Relegated: Sittingbourne.

Shepherd Neame Kent 2:  Having set the pace for much of the season, in the end it was disappointment for Brockleians who just missed out on promotion in what for most of the season was a three way battle; Whitstable took the league title with a couple of weeks to spare, whilst Foots Cray secured the runner up place despite having to sit out the final weekend of the season.  At the bottom of the table Greenwich anchored the table from Askean, with Dartford Valley and Faversham the other clubs in what was a clearly delineated lower half of the table.

Promoted: Whitstable and Foots Cray

Intermediate Cup:  The competition saw only three of the county’s five eligible clubs enter and by the turn of the year last season’s runner up in Charlton Park were the county’s only remaining representatives.  Their attempt to go one better than last season’s Twickenham appearance unfortunately ended in the regional final where they went down by the narrowest of margins (12-13) to Camberley who went on to beat Coney Hill 17-20 in another tight encounter to reach a Twickenham final where they ran in 60 points and rather overpowered Midlands club Droitwich.

Senior Vase:  Both Aylesford and Bromley made the latter stages of the regional element of this competition, before Aylesford fell to Hampshire club Trojans.  Bromley who have a good record in this completion in recent years continued that good form but fell to a heavy 3-36 defeat in the regional final at the hands of Surrey club O Cranleighians who lost out to Cornwall based Saltash in the national semi-finals although it was Yorkshire based Wath upon Dearne who narrowly edged the final.

Junior Vase:  Traditionally the county’s clubs have not fared well in this competition but this time around there were two clubs carrying Kent’s aspirations coming into 2018.  Both Ashford and Gillingham Anchorians, were going well and a kind draw had kept the two sides apart; however it was not to be, as both fell to defeats in the regional semi-finals with Ashford losing out to Chipstead who went on to take the regional trophy and Anchorians falling to O Wimbledonians; Chipstead went out in the national semi-final to Devon club South Molton, with the eventual winners being Yorkshire club Old Otliensians.

2018 sees there being four Autumn Internationals  in November, as England take on the big three from southern hemisphere rugby as well as Japan.  Fixture dates are as follows:

03 Nov v South Africa

10 Nov v New Zealand

17 Nov v Japan

24 Nov v Australia

Ticketing details will be available after the 30th May so keep an eye on the website for further details although as was the case with one of the fixtures last year, the match versus Japan is where we will have “unlimited” allocation and Junior (u15) tickets are available at £15 and the ticketing window for this fixture runs from 30th May until 30th August

If you are interested, could you please contact Steve Vincent with your ticket requirements (and in what price categories) so the club can submit bids accordingly.  Whilst he closing date for bids is in 30th August, for the Japan fixture, it is the holiday period and it is requested that your bids are submitted to Steve by the end of July at the latest.

For a number of season’s the club has operated a Trade Directory page on the website and will continue to do so.  The aim of the directory is to provide a useful source for club members of professional and trades people within, or connected to the club.  After all, most of the time we all put greater trust in those that we know, rather than complete strangers.  In broad terms the directory is primarily a service for small businesses and the self-employed, although larger businesses won’t be excluded should they express an interest.

Entries on the directory are free for club members or a nominal £25 fee for non-members. All you have to do is provide the content in terms of text, any photos and your logo.  For further details please go to the Trade Directory page, you can also view current entries which will also provide a helpful template for the type of information to provide.

In addition, could those members who currently have entries in the directory please check as to whether they need updating and provide updated information as required.