A day of youth and remembrance ran through the vein of the day both at The Mote and at Cranbrook. The inescapable passage of time can become an ignus fatuus when friends and rivals come together to remember a lost comerade. The seasoned veterans took to the field at Cranbrook to turn back the odometer on the body to match the will of the mind, as they paid tribute to the late Tom Chantler. On a fantastic occassion that was the perfect homage, the game ended all square at twelve a piece. A proud day for both clubs weaving yet more into the tapestry of our respective rugby histories. Time reminds us that it is not about preservation of oneself, but what we can leave behind to those that will follow in our footsteps.
​Back at The Mote and a club XV took on Surrey based side Old Blues in the first round of the Papa Johns Community Shield. A blistering first half display gave the illusion of an easy passage into the next round. Alas, changes at half time and the opposition waking up saw the game ripped away from us. It was a chance to blood some youngsters and try some new combinations ahead of preseason, so although the loss hurts, it's the longer story that continues to have chapters added in the rebuild novella. If the day taught us anything, it's that time brings wisdom and unity nutures the rise of all that is to come. 

Just the Mustangs final game to come on April 15th whilst The Mote hosts the Kent Veteran Finals. Then it's onto next season.

​The RFU will be launching a series of initiatives to listen to and learn from people across the game by consulting on the process around implementation of a lower tackle height in the community game. The consultation will allow the game to discuss why this is happening, what the optimal tackle height should be, and what needs to be factored in to make it a success.The RFU is seeking the support of the community game to implement change in a way that ensures rugby remains the sport we all know and love. The consultation will formally launch at the beginning of March with a survey giving everyone across the game the chance to have their say. There will also be an extensive series of online and face to face consultations across the country. Working with Constituent Bodies the RFU will ensure the consultation reaches a broad and representative cross-section of people – from players and coaches, through to match officials and disciplinary officials, and to club volunteers and parents representing both the adult and junior male and female games. Changing the tackle height is believed by the RFU as an important step in reducing the risk of player head injuries and concussion in the community game. It’s backed by a large body of scientific evidence, and is aligned with recent steps taken by France, other Home Nations and New Zealand. After external analysis of the data, the RFU stated that they will listen to our feedback and this will be taken back to the RFU Council to determine the way forward.

The club is saddened to hear of the passing of Benny Bell last month.

Benny was a pacey winger in the early 70's before departing for Canterbury in 1976. His Funeral will be held at Barnham Crematorium on Monday 20th March at 2.40pm. The celebration of his life will be held at Canterbury's home ground.

Donations are welcome to the British Lung Foundation. If you would like to attend the celebration of life, please let Sally know via sallyb46@hotmail.com for catering preperations.

The Ladies Lunch is scheduled for Saturday 25th March 2023. This Popular event is already (as always) over subscribed, so please email maidstonerugby@outlook.com to secure your table. Payment is required by the end of the week.

This year our chosen charity partner is Demelza Hospice Care for Children and proceeds of the day will be donated to their great cause. On the day, the ladies can enjoy a superb 3-course lunch with coffee after, along with prosecco on arrival. There are fabulous raffle prizes to be won and an award winning comedian to round off the afternoon.

The cost is £35 per head and please email maidstonerugby@outlook.com to confirm your reservation, as it will be on a first come, first served basis. You can check out the amazing menu below.

Maidstone have been drawn to face Surrey based side Old Blues in the first round of the Papa Johns Community Shield, on April 1st at The Mote.In recent years the leagues have seen many cup games forfeited as clubs struggled for players or were focusing on the league campaign. To that end, the new season had been formatted to have the community cups (Intermediate Cup revamp) played at the end of the league season to ensure games are played.The Cups are made up of different tiers of competition that clubs have qualified into by virtue of their league position after games on the weekend of the 18th March. Our first game is essentially a Round 32 tie, with the last 16, QF & SF to be played every weekend until April 29th. The final of the Shield will take place on Sunday 7th May.

As a participating club, we can offer our members a unqiue 50% off discount code for Papa Johns Pizza, which they will inturn donate back to the club. You can find details of this on Spond.

It's almost 6 Nations time and if you don't have tickets, all the games will be shown LIVE at the club.In addition, it's also time once more for the MFC 6Nations Fantasy League. You have a budget of stars available to select your team, including three subs. Each week the official 6Nations Fantasy League site will award points to each player. As the rounds progress you have the option of tweaking your team. At the end of the tournament, the person at the top of the standings with their team wins a prize! It's all a bit of fun and easy to join in with. There will also be weekly updates here on the website of the movers within our fantasy league.

If you joined before, you can renew. If you want to join in for the first time the details are:

no.17988 : Maidstone RFC

Password : ONBXV

You can get setup by clicking here.

The annual Memorial Cup game has been rearranged to Saturday 18th March 2023.

The game will kick-off around 1pm, in time to finish before the 1st XV game v Westcombe Park & the final England 6 Nation clash with Ireland.

Our Veteran side will be taking on Crawley Veterans for the trophy, as we raise a glass to absent friends as part of a long standing tradition.

Another bright day greeted us as the weather was clement as our 1st XV took to the field to play 4th placed Park House, a team that got away from us having played with 14 men for over an hour earlier in the season. History was about to repeat. Maidstone played bright and attractive rugby in the first half, with Try's coming from Ollie Jenkins and Josh Smith initially, along with a penalty a piece leaving the game 15-3 to the hosts at half time. Just before the break however, in close contact the referee judged Josh Smiths tackle to be a swinging arm and gave him a straight red, leaving us with fourteen men for the entire second fourty.Maidstone managed to grab three points at the restart and put in some fantastic defensive work, which was finally breached ten minutes from time. With the visitors tails up, they managed to sneak another and we were left praying for the minutes to tick down. Alas, with thirty seconds to go, a mistake in our 22 gave Park House the opportunity to kick under the posts for the winning score. An undeserved 18-20 loss.

The Mustangs had a strange few days as at first Lordswood could not fulfil the fixture, only to draft some players in from Aylesford II and elsewhere to confirm the game Friday night. On Saturday, they then requested that league rules be enforced and Maidstone be restricted to 3 subs. Our Mustangs obliged as well as lend three players to the visitors, taking a squad of 18 to the game & leaving seven players without on the sidelines. In fourty minutes, the Mustangs posted 57 points and the opposition had had enough it would seem, as they refused to play the second half. A couple of their players were not happy with the concession, and decided to join in with a short game of Mustangs v Mustangs to make the most of the afternoon. A huge thank you to the referee, who was more than happy to offer to officiate the inner-club game and get our great game played.


On Sunday, it was a crunch Spitfire Gold Veterans Competition game for our Evergreen side down at Dover. The hosts pack carried most of the day to lead the game 19-7 at the break. Fabulous rugby ensued in the second half and some traditional big hits were put in on both sides. Dave Charlton had the crowd buzzing with his trademark show-and-go, as Maidstone rallied back. Alas, they could only manage a bonus point, losing 29-24 and praying for results to go their way elsewhere to see them through to the Semis.

From the Youth sides, another great day of rugby was had by all. Even though some of the results did not go our way, the effort, determination and skills were never in question.

The u12's came off the better side away to Old Colfeians 55-15, whilst the U15's pulled off a win for the first time against Tunbridge Wells 24-21 to go top of their respective Kent League. Our Colts were missing some key players this week, but that did not stop those on the field from playing some great rugby, as well as showing passion against adversity. They fought til the end against a powerful running Tonbridge Juddian side, coming off the grass the wrong side of 58-10.

Next week the 1st XV are on the road to Old Dunstonians with only a few points between them in the league table, whilst our Mustangs are at home in the rearranged Old Gravesendians fixture. Our Vets are scheduled to head back to Dover to play their 3rd XV. 

Congratulations to Charlie Williams as he takes to the field for the 100th time for the 1st XV. Charlie has been at the club for the past 8 seasons and is now one of ur most senior and experienced players.

Congratulations to Josh McKenzie as he takes to the field for the 100th time for the 1st XV. Josh has been at the club since boy and .....well boy, as the baby faced assassin still fires in accurate lineouts.

The new Women's senior section held an introductory evening at the club, followed by a Q&A session on Tuesday 18th January 2023. 

Those in attendance received a warm welcome, sandwiches and an introduction to the club, as well as information on training nights, changing facilities and aspirations. With several newcomers to the game, it's the perfect environment to join if you have always thought about picking up a rugby ball, but never dared. 
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For the next several months, training will be based around fitness, so if you fancy giving it a try, please contact the head coach Araminta Meade.

The new Opus range of VX3 club wear is now available to order and be delivered direct to your door!

From coats, hoodies, training tops and bags, the new range kits you out ready for the new season.

To find the range, go to the club store tab here and then select VX3 Range.