U12s overcome Abbey

Sunday 12th December 2004

Maidenhead RFC Under 12s and their visitors Abbey, from Reading, played to a very high standard in a series of entertaining matches on a bitterly cold Sunday 12 December. A big thanks to all parents and coaches for the great turnout and behaviour of all the players – in the tradition of true rugby friendship.

Sharks
The U12 Sharks drew one try apiece in their first game against Abbey As. A well-organised Abbey opened the scoring and always looked dangerous but Sharks gradually worked their way back with good skills from Sam Yates, James Parrott and Miguela Kerrins. Sharks dominated the second period and after a strong run by Ben Pritchard the loose ball was won by Charlie Wickham-Smith who found a gap to the try line. Paul Sayers and TJ Hudson worked well to win a scrum on Abbey’s five metre line near the end but the Sharks couldn’t convert their late pressure into a winning move.

Abbey again dominated for periods in their second encounter but the Sharks’ defensive play, as in the previous week’s games, was well co-ordinated and committed. Oliver Evans opened the scoring with a blazing run and Pritchard double the lead with similarly powerful turn of speed. Sharks spent long periods in the second half close to Abbey’s try line, where Alex Jones drove over powerfully for the third try. Michael Habgood was at the heart of the Shark’s closing attacks, with the dominant Pritchard popping the ball to Morgan Davies who found space in the corner for the fourth. Youthful U12s coach and ref for the morning John McCarthy was commended by his colleagues for a creditable job keeping up with play.

Results
Sharks 5-5 Abbey
Sharks 20-0 Abbey

Marlins
Marlins performed magnificently across their two games with Abbey B. The boys worked well as a team, put together some excellent passes and defended well throughout. Elliot Reid got them off to a flier with two early tries, both converted by Tom Bunn. Abbey played confidently, pushed hard and earned their points to trail 14.7 at the break. Marlins were too strong in the second period with James Holt and Michael James driving them forward and fluid passing by the backs spreading the ball wide. Daniel Tydeman and Matthew Quinn were lively in the tackles. Good passing by Paul Sweeney and David Walker helped Matt Roberts land three tries. A busy Tom Bunn grabbed a try as well as hitting the conversions to give Marlins a well-deserved 38.7 victory.

The second game was equally competitive and more evenly matched. Having been ‘lent’ to Abbey, Bunn scored the visitors’ opener. Roberts replied twice for Marlins and Sam Brineton converted both to put the team 14.5 up at the turnaround. Reid, now playing in Abbey colours, charged over to give the visitors the edge. But the Marlins hit back through Roberts. The game swung from end to end as each team scored again. With the scores level at 26 each Reid slipped through the defence to grab a last gasp winner for the visitors.

Results
Marlins 38.7 Abbey
Marlins 26.31 Abbey