A series of 3 x 20 minute games were played between Maidenhead and Ruislip . Unfortunately due to "Foot and Mouth" and travel restrictions Winchester were unable to travel for this Triangular Fixture. Prior to the main session the BM & BF tried to help R Whittle learn the Scrum Half position. The game format was used to enable all the boys to apply skills being introduced during training. Careful selection enabled all the boys of different standards to participate and share in some of the match play.

Maidenhead Tigers v Ruislip B
Jamie Ford (FB) Kicked off and Maidenhead surged forwards through Guy Sears (Prop), Nick Clark(Prop) and Alex Mackeown (H) burrowed in to win the ball and pass to Sam Hillier( SR).Good handling by Sam Alderson helped the Tigers forwards to dominate long spells in the first half. Play moved back and forth between Maidenhead and Ruislip. A scrum down some 10 metres from the Ruislip line enabled Joe Dutton( SH) to pass inside to Mark Lucas( FH). Mark was able to dive through to put the score at 5-0. Within minutes of re-starting the game, Ruislip gained possession through a knock- on by Maids. Better Ruislip rucking enabled them to win the ball and draw level through their forwards.

The second half saw the Tigers loose some of their composure and balance, although the back line comprising of Mark Lucas (FH) provided some periods of good running rugby. They also gained valuable ground across the gain line, but lost it to the oppositions forwards. Daniel Rhodes ( LW) and William Brennan ( OC) linked well with Angus Cadden ( IC). Ben Galloway came on for Angus Cadden .Too many rushed passes led to knock - on’s and loose ball given away to the opposition. Ruislip’s better rucking and mauling led to their second and winning try from one of the biggest players on the field. Lack of strong tackling enabled Ruislip to run three quarters of the pitch to score.
Score: Maidenhead Tigers 5 - Ruislip 10

Maidenhead Lions v Ruislip (A)
Maids Kicked off to put Ruislip under pressure and from return run a High tackle from Robert Whittle( SH) enable to kick for touch. Ruislip adopted the first of many two man line-out’s. This provided them with more opportunities to win clean ball by varying the flight of the ball and the position of the Forward receivers. Eventually Maids learnt to read this and try to counteract with Luke Fletcher( Prop) ,Jason Merritt (SR) , Toby Harrison (Prop) and Robin Scanlon(SR).

Although Maids dominated much of the scrums, they began to loose the ball in the rucks and mauls. As always William Page led the line in tackling against bigger opposition. Ruislip managed to make inroads against Maids strong defence comprising Paul Roberts ( FH) George Colbourne( IC) Alex Roberts ( OC) and Alexander Hanks( RW ) Rick Blacker made some good attacking runs at Left Wing . Ruislip eventually scored from a maul won by their forward who "fly-hacked" (not allowed at U11) and kicked the ball through past the backs to run on and score.

During the second half Ruislip kicked off to enable Guy Swaddling (FB) to catch the ball and make a typical return back past the gain line. Both teams were evenly matched through most of this half . Maids attacked and counter attacked and eventually won a scrum from Jonathan Lowther’s (SH) put in. Luke Fletcher, and Ryan Sherwin(H) drove over together to score and enable the Lions to draw level. The game continued to ebb and flow with good attacking rugby.
Score: Maidenhead Lions 5 - Ruislip (A) 5

Maidenhead Barbarians v Ruislip Barbarians
For the final game it agreed to play the Forwards from the Tigers Team with the backs from Lions team ( Robert Whittle started as Scrum Half ) The combination illustrated the strength in depth) as Sears, Mckeown, Clark , Hillier and Alderson did well to hold the Ruislip forwards and win many scrums against the head. The attacking flair of the backs from both teams was not able to overcome the others good defensive qualities. The first half was very evenly matched . Maids tried to cope with the line-out variations but Ruislip made better use of their kick into touch from defence. The forwards also gave away simple offside and ball handling penalties. Luckily Ruislip were unable to capitalise on these.

In the second half the whole team was substituted to enable the Lions forwards to come on and the Tigers Backs, to see how this combination worked. Again both Maidenhead and Ruislip were equally balanced. Maids learnt to win more line-outs but were less able to make use of any penetration through the Ruislip defence. The team lost out in the rucks and mauls , but won more of the set pieces such as the scrums and line-outs. The squad may need to put further work into breaking through the defences and also improving "rucking and mauling" to drive and keep opposition players away from the ball, for the scrum half or nearest player to pick up and restart.
Score : Maidenhead 0 - Ruislip 0

Peter Foster - Chairman of the Mini Section made the presentation of a Club Cap for Jonathan’s contribution to the team over the past six years.

The Presentation was to thank Jonathan and his family for their contribution to Mini - Section Rugby and to wish him well over the next few years.

Coaching notes: Brian Ford