Maidstone XV 27 Moles 12

On a glorious day for rugby, the Moles continued their season with a trip down to Kent’s county town for a match somewhat ‘spun’ by Moles’ skipper Shotgun as against perennial foes, Maidstone Vets. However, on a grass roots club league fixture free Six Nations’ weekend, it was no surprise to find a more youthful Maidstone XV warming up on the wide but short first team pitch at Moat Park. There were some grey hairs on show but no need to reach for the Grecian 2000!

Perhaps in the wake of the experience at Edenbridge a fortnight ago, Shotgun had in-part anticipated this by drafting in some sons of Moles in the shape of 8, Will McKee (son of Kevin) and half-back combination of Lewis Saward (son of Nod) and Aaron Rayner (son of Brian) to bring the Moles average down a decade or so.

Despite the pre-match urges of team captain for the day, and birthday boy, Elvis and others for high levels of intensity levels up from the off, the Moley’s started in their typically lethargic way by conceding a try from the scrum advantage conceded for knocking on the kick off. Here we go again, I hear you say but the Moles woke up from the re-start by quickly turning over the ball and driving forward to win a penalty 10 metres out. Aaron Rayner saw a gap and his quick ‘tap and go’ penalty helped the Moles quickly draw level. The Moles enjoyed lots of possession and were organised defensively but very strong ball carrying from the Stones’ forwards tipped the balance of the first half in the home side’s favour as they scored another two tries prior to the interval.

However, a ‘Dad for lad’ Moles swap saw Lewis Saward come on for Nod at scrum half and finish a nice ‘through the hands’ move into the top right hand corner which along with the subsequent conversion by Aaron Rayner saw the Moles narrow the gap to end the first half 15-12 in favour of the home team.

The second half was another typically tight and physical affair for the most part but Maidstone’s greater all-round youth started to show with their big 3, 6 and 8 drawing in up to three or four black shirts at a time in an attempt to stop them advancing. The Moles picked up one or two knocks along the way leading to the pack being reshuffled and players finding themselves out of position: regular Moles scrim half Nod returned to his former position of hooker, first choice hooker Neil Martin found himself on the wing and mole-of-the-match Lloydy moved from outside centre into the back row where he made a veritable nuisance of himself for the remainder of the match.

Nonetheless, despite their effort the stronger side came to the fore adding a further two scores one of which was converted from directly in front of the posts. Final score Maidstone 27 Moles 12. The Moles came second again but it was hard, enjoyable game with lots of spirit shown by the team in black. The return of the Moley spirit was duly noted by self-styled ‘senior Mole’ Brian Rayner in the after match huddle. It’s not unusual for Moles to find themselves in the odd mis-match but the Moles’ way is to get on with it and play what’s in front of you as opposed to whinging about it. Brian told the heroes gathered that Mr Theobald would have been proud today and committed himself for another season.

After a cursory half in Maidstone’s pavilion, the Moley chuck wagons rattled back to Rectory Field to join other club members in enjoying England’s very close attempt to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Wales.
Joining Lloydy on the chair for his Mole of the Match celebrations were Velcro for neckwear related crimes and Gareth Moore for his purple shoes

Much Guinness, lager and Merlot was consumed leading Shotgun to reflect the following morning that, despite not playing himself in lieu of going all bandy-legged at Anchorians while playing for the Swans the preceding week, “it was a proper Moley day!”
And indeed it was readers. Unspoiled by tragedy, progress or appalling refereeing the Moles remain something much much more than just a rugby team.

Line Up: Elvis, Neil Martin, Pierre, Velcro, Big Bri, Posty, Lunch, Nod, Aaron Rayner, Will McKee, Lloydy, Gerry Keenan, Tucker, Gareth Moore, Brian Rayner, Lewis Saward, Freddie Taylor