After last week’s soggy capitulation at Dover, Vigo needed to get back into winning ways, which they did with something left over. In fact, with a bit more composure in the 22, they may well have consigned Maidstone to an even heavier defeat. But, Maidstone, in the process of rebuilding their team, fought all the way and showed that they have the wherewithal to bounce back with a young squad that will learn from this season. Vigo, in front of the Kent RFU President, Doug Hursey, were determined to put up a good show, and this they did, impressing both Mr. Hursey and the large crowd gathered on a surprisingly warm January Saturday afternoon.
Vigo, with several key players returning to the squad, needed to start on the front foot, and were given a boost when Maidstone’s most experienced player, flanker Nick East, was yellow carded within the opening minutes, guilty of interfering with a Vigo maul close to the line. Vigo made Maidstone pay by scoring 26 points whilst Maidstone were reduced to 14 men.
From the penalty, Vigo opted for a scrum. Perhaps, Maidstone may have erred by leaving their scrum short of personnel, but Vigo heaved their scrum back at a rate of knots, allowing Ben Moorhouse to drop on the ball over the line. From the kick-off, Vigo moved the ball wide, Luke Henderson was lurking in the threes and tore through a startled Maidstone defence. They did well to stop the initial Henderson charge, but as Vigo piled into the breakdown, they recycled the ball well through a few phases before Henderson finished what he had started. Three minutes later, Vigo again attacked from deep, counter attacking a poor Maidstone clearance. Again, Henderson was prominent, and once again his teammates were on hand to recycle the ball for Adam Fitzgerald to storm over. Captain Tony Whitehead added all three conversions.
As the referee signalled to Nick East to be ready to re-join the contest, Vigo scored again. Maidstone, with an 18 year old loosehead, Sam Yorke playing his first senior game, as promisingly as he played, was no match for the James Gang (Will and Owain) and the doughty Dan Norton, which comprised Vigo’s front row. Vigo’s pack demolished their opponents, Ben Moorhouse picking up at the base and feeding Nick McPherson who drove over. So bonus point earned after barely 15 minutes of play, and the game effectively over.
One could forgive, perhaps, the home side if they rested on their laurels, but not with the coaching team of John Whitehead and Dom Saunders demanding more effort. Maidstone, to their credit fought hard, centres Pete Simpson and Josh Hoare demonstrating some nifty footwork to ensure that Vigo remained alert. Indeed, Maidstone worked their way down field, extracting a few penalties, one of which captain Lucien Morosan despatched to get his team on the scoreboard at least. This certainly did inspire his team, and they attacked Vigo, but could make little headway against some pretty solid tackling, Luke Henderson again prominent, this time in defence, aided and abetted by his back row colleagues Moorhouse and McPherson. Vigo responded by moving back into Maidstone territory. Ruining another Maidstone scrum, Vigo’s pack wheeled allowing Moorhouse to drive down the narrow side, before handing over to Marcus Hunt who finished powerfully in the corner.
Maidstone’s coaching staff went to work at the break, exhorting their players to keep working hard, but it was Vigo who drew first blood in the second period. Starting on the front foot, the pushed Maidstone back, Dom Carslaw varying his game nicely with some judicious box kicks, whilst skipper Tony Whitehead pulled the strings with a variety of kicks, keeping Maidstone guessing. Living on scraps, Morosan tried to fashion some attacks, but Vigo were not to be denied. Ready to counter from anywhere on the pitch, Vigo were perhaps guilty of over-elaboration or lack of composure close to the line. However, Maidstone gave them a helping hand by dropping the ball in midfield. Jake French, having a wonderful season, seized on the loose ball, fed Tone Whitehead who side-stepped over, converting his own try. Now it was time for Vigo to empty their bench, but there was no diminishing their attacking intent. Again, a couple of certain tries were lost through a knock on , and a forward pass, the referee, Gareth Edwards razor sharp offering a beleaguered Maidstone some succour.
But Vigo were not to be denied. Maidstone were beginning to run out of steam after a superb effort. Vigo’s scrum were well on top, by now. There was little Maidstone could do to withstand the continuous siege, although a good break by Simpson and a bludgeoning run by C.J.Williams, kept Vigo on their toes. Back came Vigo through Hunt and Tommy Barrett, setting up McPherson for his second try. A penalty saw Vigo take a tap, and Dom Mickelburgh ploughed over before Tony Whitehead added to his tally with a try and conversion to round off a satisfying win .

Vigo Scorers: Tries: Moorhouse (5’), Henderson (7’), Fitzgerald (10’), McPherson (15’, 59’), Hunt (28’), Whitehead (45’,73’), Mickelburgh (69’). Cons: Whitehead (5)
Maidstone: Pen: Morosan (1)

Vigo team: O.McSweeney-Atkins; A.Fitzgerald (rep: D.Winstone (52’), T.Barrett, J.Clemmence, M.Hunt; T.Whitehead (capt.), D.Carslaw; W.James (rep: G.Rawlings (45’), D.Norton, O.James; L.Wiltshire (rep: D.Mickelburgh (45’), J.French; N.McPherson, L.Henderson; B.Moorhouse.
MofM: L.Henderson. Maidstone top player : M.Fenway

John Whitehead (Dir. Of Rugby)A good result. Fair play to Maidstone who were missing several players through injury and illness, but they worked hard, never gave up. When we played to a structure we played really well. It’s when we went off script, we got a bit ragged. Overall, though, a good day.
Steve Oram (Maidstone coach). This was a strong Vigo side who had a game plan and stuck to it, for the most partr. The Maidstone team impressed with their attitude, and heart. We were forced into fielding some young inexperienced players, and games like this will stand them in good stead.
Tony Whitehead (Vigo captain). Great effort from the boys who were looking to score for the full 80 minutes, but we just needed to keep our composure at times in their 22.

MOG’s view. Ten years ago, Maidstone scored a century of points here, we had six teenagers in the team. Maidstone are rebuilding, and themselves fielded several teenagers. They will learn a lot from this season and hopefully will help to rebuild the club. Vigo still have a way to go, but themselves have a relatively young side, with more coming through the 2nd team, so the signs are promising.