Contact Gallery Games The Team News Home

Sunday 10th August 2008: Maidstone Pumas 0 South Wales Warriors 55

Sorry Pumas round out home programme.

It has been several years since the Maidstone Pumas last welcomed the South Wales Warriors to Kent. South Wales came to Aylesford Rugby Club ranked number 3 in the southern regional standings, having secured the South West conference title earlier in the week when Plymouth Admirals were unable to fulfil the final two fixtures of the season.

South Wales needed a win to maintain pressure upon Cambridgeshire Cats, who would lose the number rank if the Pumas scored more than 9 points or Watford Cheetahs did the same.

After the previous weeks crushing defeat to the number 1 ranked London Cobras, several key personal were carrying injuries. So it was again a very small Pumas squad that turned out to face South Wales.

South Wales took the ball to open the game and slowly drove the ball downfield behind some excellent running by Martin Tranter and Omedeji Alli. The Pumas mounted a stiff defence, but South Wales kept the Pumas Defence on the field for 7 minutes as the drive continued. Eventually, Tranter dived in from 2 yards to open the scoring

The Pumas took the ball and mounted an excellent response, behind the running of rookie sensation, James Cherry. Cherry would eventually go over 100 yards rushing for the 4th time in the season. However, the Pumas were forced to punt and in almost a mirror image of the first drive, South Wales ate up the clock and drove the field. The drive was finished off by Thom Rowland’s pass reception.

The Pumas then lost Offensive Guard Martin Cheek to a blindside hit. This caused some reorganisation within the Pumas ranks, placing more pressure on the remaining players. The loss of a key player led to Offensive production declining and 3 additional Warrior scores.

The second half started with South Wales looking to maintain the shut out and develop different plays. The Pumas continued to press but the lack of regular wide receivers meant that the passing game became sterile. However, excellent pressure on Defence from Steve Berry with 6 tackles and a sack and Dan Malyan's 7 tackles gave the ball back to the Pumas with less than 3 minutes remaining. Several times South Wales gave away penalties however; Cherry’s running left the Pumas at the 10 yard line as time expired.

After the game news came through that Cambridge had beaten Watford 29 -0 so they maintain their second place rank. South Wales are likely to entertain Colchester Gladiators on Sunday 24th August at Home in Cardiff in the Wildcard play off.

After the game the Pumas senior players congratulated the youth team, who had provided sideline and stats services this season. It is hoped that the seniors will be in the situation to return the favour next season!

Coach Lear remarked that he was proud of every single person, many of whom were rookies.

Coach Smith added “Well played South Wales. A 6 hour journey to make the game was a trial as traffic was poor on the M25. I have been really proud of the way we have played this season, when in the pre season things looked incredibly bleak. I will always recall this season fondly”.

“However, I advised club management earlier in the week that I have decided to leave the coaching ranks and concentrate on the commercial activities surrounding the club. We have received several registers of interest from coaches, who have noted the improvement and are keen to put their own stamp on setting up a programme. Whoever, is appointed will do an excellent job. The Pumas General Manager Stuart Crowley will have a lot of decisions to make in the early part of the off season”.

Pumas General Manager Stuart Crowley added “We have set the date for the first recruitment day as the 14th September at Oakwood Park. We are aiming to have a playing squad of over 40 players to start next season. With interest already seen and new people contacting the club, this does not appear to be out of the question”.

Final game August 17th Wivenhoe FC v Colchester Gladiators 14.30 kick off.

PreviousPrevious

NextNext