Maidenhead U13s 32 v Bracknell U13s 0
Sunday 6th March 2005

Last Sunday saw an eagerly anticipated encounter with Bracknell in the league.

Bracknell on the up from some good result were welcomed to Braywick with some anticipation... a big tight 5 and strong looking backs led to a few pangs of doubt !

But this is a game about team work and grit and Maids turned in a performance worth of the encounter.

With the Head Coach away in Canada the boys were keen to deliver ... And they did.

Where to start, so many areas looked good so for this report we need to pick up a few issues. First thing to note was the pressure placed on the referee by the visiting coaches, which was very vocal and loud - usually a bad move !

But in playing terms (and against tradition in these reports we need to mention a few individuals) Greg played his socks off, head down and going forward and I laughed out loud when he kindly assisted with the numbers counting in the lineout !!

Mr Naish played a startling game at 8 and despite a rather iffy kick for touch (!) he spent the game running and handing off Bracknell.

Will was a terrier at the flank and dangerous in open play, and that linked well with strong evasive running from the centres and wings.

Oscar stopped a certain try on the two metre line with a spear tackle which had to be seen to be believed.

The Maids tight 5 were awesome in support of each other and on tries there were several players in support nearly every time.

The forwards were aggressive and excellent in the scum winning 11 against the head !!! Our lineout was also inventive and with some startling burst and close quarter tackling from Ben the close play was warfare.

Our handling and movement down the line was fast accurate and decisive - we had scored four tries and had two disallowed.

The decision making was good and made allowance, and accurate kicking from Chris proved telling. And Mr Cameron stopped everything that came his way, which allowed some excellent rucking.

What have I missed ? Well Bracknell in fairness were really tough and the scoreline didn't reflect this - they fought everything to a standstill and were fast in attack, the attrition began to show as the match wore on. This was an epic encounter.

The pace was only slowed by the ref and there were some decision I need re-explaining to me.

This was a good spirited game and fine rugby to boot!

I wouldn't want to take anything from any player or by mentioned some over others imply some were better than others every player contributed to a team effort that proved unstoppable as Maids finished the game 32 - nil winners.

What a performance - Alistair have fun in Canada, the boys did you proud.