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Maidstone Pumas 12 East Kent
Mavericks 62
On a lovely summer’s day at
Aylesford Rugby Club, the Maidstone Pumas welcomed the return of local rivals
East Kent Mavericks. The Mavericks had won the first game 27–12 earlier in the
season.
Mavericks won the toss and decided
to take the ball. Wide receiver John Zinkus fielded the ball and got behind a
wedge of players and returned the ball 85 yards for a touchdown. This was
followed shortly by Alastair Jenkins and Michael Welch tackling running back
James Cherry in the endzone for a safety. Despite this early set back, The
Pumas fought back and started to move the ball and played pretty decent defense.
However, the Mavericks struck when rookie running back, Edem Goka ran in from 7
yards. Goka in his first ever game, went onto score on a further 3 occasions,
earning a BAFL Player of the Week nomination, for 4 touchdowns and over 200
yards.
At the half the Mavericks had
increased the lead to 28–0. Coaches Lear and Smith took the Pumas players to
one side and worked out a strategy for the second half. The second half started
with both teams holding each other’s offenses, However, The Mavericks scored
again with Goka and secondly with Gary Welch scoring touchdowns. Scott Shepherd
slotted over 6 point after attempts, during the game.
In the final quarter, both
teams changed personal and started to work on plays for the forthcoming weeks.
However, The Pumas got on the scoreboard, with a 22 yard John Bowden pass to
James Cherry. Bowden then took the ball in from 9 yards.
It was a sorry and weary Pumas
team who were pleased to hear the final whistle. Coaches Lear and Smith thanked
the team for the effort, however, realising that on the day they had been
defeated by the better team. Coach Smith added, “We were outplayed and out
numbered today. We had one player who called off at 11.45 and another who was
sick most of the night and early morning. However, all of the team played hard.
We will learn from this defeat and we will build on the mistakes. We have suffered
a few injuries; however, we have a week off and will use this to prepare for
the next two games, both away to Watford Cheetahs and Essex Spartans”.
Training takes place at Oakwood
Park at 10.30am. Anyone wishing to take a look at the sport is more than
welcome to come along.