The Braywick side capitalised on an early piece of good fortune, when after only three minutes, a poor Effingham pass bounced loose. Scrum half Alex Barnett was quickest to react, scooping up the loose ball and showing a fine turn of speed to race clear of the flatfooted defence to score the opening try.

Effingham’s forwards were very strong in the tight, continually pressurising Maids front row of Ben Sedler, Patrick Scanlon and Grant Shearer, but although the home side saw plenty of possession, their three quarters were quickly closed down with Greg Burgess and Simon Standfast making eye catching tackles. Maids doubled their lead soon after with a flowing move through the backs. Good work from second row Nick Fox secured possession and Barnett’s quick pass to fly half Peter Neill put Maids on the attack. Inside centre Michael Rubber took the ball on, breaking two tackles to cross the gain line. Barnett again found Neill after Rubber had set up good second phase ball, and the fly half’s pass was perfectly timed to full back Matthew Wardle who had joined the attack making an extra man. With a two on one situation, Wardle then jinked inside to beat his opposite number with ease, going over for a superb score.

There was now no stopping the Maidenhead backs. Their passing was crisp with the clear intent of bringing both wingers, David Geneen and Daniel Fair into the contest at every opportunity. It was left wing Geneen who was on the score sheet next, showing electric pace to score in the corner following superb handling from Neill, Rubber, Burgess and Wardle.

Although Maids were playing the more expansive and stylish rugby, the Effingham forwards did not give up the cause and right on half time, they were rewarded for their efforts with a try from close range. The Braywick side’s defence had passed every test until now with Wardle and Fair making good clearing kicks when called upon to do so. This time there was a break in concentration and a gap appeared long enough for the home side to take advantage to make the half time score 15-5 to the visitors.

Effingham continued to rally in the second half, their front row proving a real handful. It took a wonderful defensive play by Barnett to hold the ball up over his own line when one of their forwards looked certain to score, but from the five metre scrum, Effigham's forwards again showed their strength to bulldoze over for a second try. The home side might have tied the game up but for a desperate clearance from his own line by Fair. Evading a tackle, he managed to kick the ball toward touch. Winger Geneen was on it like a flash, his speed taking the ball safely to half way. From the resulting line out, the ball was moved along the backs and Wardle was unlucky not to make further progress being stopped by a fine defensive tackle. With another line out on the other side of the pitch, Henry Newcome retained possession, and again Maids moved the ball wide. This time the centres got it just right, drawing defenders and releasing the impressive Geneen to score his second try of the match and post a 20-10 lead.

Maids gave away a soft try toward the end from poor positional kicking, but nothing could be taken away from the fact that the visitors had won fairly comfortably playing expansive and entertaining rugby.