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Sunday 22nd June 2008: Maidstone Pumas 12 East Kent Mavericks 62

Pumas Hammered

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 end zone for a safety.

Despite this early set back, The Pumas fought back and started to move the ball and played pretty decent defence. However, The Mavericks struck when rookie running back, Edem Goka ran in from 7yards. Goka in his first ever game, went onto score on a further 4 occasions, earning a BAFL rookie of the week nomination, for 5 touchdowns and over 220 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 others 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.

The Mavericks came back with Goka scoring his 5th TD in a stunning debut. The Pumas decided to put in rookie second string Quarter Back Chris Damski, who drove the ball downfield, with the help of 2 Mavericks 15 yard penalties. Damski passed to Cherry, who scampered 3 yards into the end zone. Soon After, Gary Welch scored on another run and the final score was made by Safety Russell Jordan, who intercepted Bowden on the last play of the game and ran back 40 yards for the score.

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 were 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&rdquot;.

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.

The club are building upon these successes and are still looking for players (youth and senior) and coaches to assist with the 2008 campaign and beyond.

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