UNDER 11 BARBARIANS AN EXAMPLE TO ALL

Maidenhead Under 11 Extra As were re-christened the Berkshire Barbarians for the weekend trip to the Burleigh Cup and Worthing Festival.

The squad proceeded to demonstrate bravery, resolve, grit, determination, character and spirit against the top sides from every club they played.

All players did themselves and their club proud in every game and a huge effort from all involved meant there was a series of very closely fought games. The side got better and better and with just a little luck or just slightly different decisions being taken results might have been very different.

The weekend finished with an appearance in the Shield semi-final where, despite some great pressure, the Barbarians could not break down the opposition to score.

Their player of the tournament award was divided between the omni-present George Thomas and the ever improving Steven Carn. Special mentions too, go to Hal Orchard who was immense for the forwards, and Iain Whiteford whose try saving tackle in the closing moments of the Festival was the embodiment of the side's spirit.

TWO WEEKENDS, TWO TROPHIES FOR UNDER 11s

Delighting their coaches by producing their best rugby of the season, Maidenhead U11As followed up their win at the Cleve Tournament by winning the Burleigh Cup at Worthing on Saturday.

In dreadful conditions, Maids scored a total of 18 tries while conceding none and attracted praise from spectators from all clubs for their running game.

In the first game against Worthing hooker Danny Kier opened the scoring with a sharp dart round the front of the line out and this was followed a minute later by a second by centre Daniel Andrews-Jones.

The floodgates opened and Maids ran in five more tries through Thomas Eckles (2), playing his best rugby of the season, Leo Smith, Josh Edney and LD Basson.

Next opponents were Sidcup, whose forwards looked set to physically dominate the game. but Maids saw tries from Andrews-Jones, Smith, William Thompson (2) and Edney secure a comfortable win.

Local rivals Bracknell proved tougher opposition, but after a closely contested first few minutes Maids broke through, and tries from Leo Smith, Daniel Andrews-Jones, Josh Edney and William Thompson saw them win their pool and a place in the final.

Here they were to face touring Welsh side Caldicott who had dominated their pool and numbered at least one National trialist amongst their squad.

A very tight game ensued, with Dominik Bart breaking the deadlock to take the lead for Maids and Markus Olivier - voted Player of the Tournament - rounding things off in the second half.

This was a great climax to the season, and all players need to remember how playing as a team and supporting each other brought them success.