Maidstone Rugby Club one win from Twickenham after beating Chiswick in Intermediate Cup regional final
00:00, 16 March 2015
updated: 10:45, 16 March 2015
Maidstone Rugby Club closed in on Twickenham with a 29-12 victory over Chiswick in the Intermediate Cup regional final.
They're only one win away from a national final at the home of English rugby after Saturday's success at The Mote.
London 2 North West Chiswick were strong in the set-piece and more than prepared to run the ball in the backs but Maidstone's tempo proved decisive.
The county town club, welcoming back injured players including captain Ben Williams, fell behind to an unconverted try from No.8 Sam Leslie-Miller.
Maidstone levelled after Eddie Cranston fed James Douglas, then opened up a 12-5 lead with Williams wriggling free to touch down and Ben Pitkin adding the extras.
A poor clearance gifted Chiswick possession, with Jon Joyce's try converted by Simon Hallett for 12-12.
But Maidstone responded well and were 19-12 up at the break thanks to Jamie Perigo's try and Pitkin's conversion.
Maidstone weathered early second-half pressure before Williams beat two defenders to score in the left corner for a 24-12 lead.
Chiswick continued to press but Maidstone held firm and made sure of victory when Ollie Newton offloaded to Douglas, who scored in the left corner.
Maidstone will play Coney Hall in the national semi-finals.
Maidstone: Williams, McKenzie, Byford, J Iles, M Iles, Pankhurst, Cranston, Werahiko, Pitkin, Skelton, Morosan, Perigo, Newton, Eastwood, Douglas. Replacements: O'Connell, Bunyan, Debnam, Smith.
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