U13s breathtaking performance against Banbury

Maidenhead U13s celebrated their first-ever 15-a-side match since leaving the mini-rugby ranks with a breathtaking 57-5 victory over Banbury at Braywick, an outstanding performance which augurs well for the team in their forthcoming league matches.

In a match split into three sections so that all of the Maidenhead boys had time on the field, the handling and backing-up was of the highest class, especially since torrential rain caused the first wet-ball conditions of the season, and there were 11 tries in all.

The outstanding defence of the team allowed Banbury just one consolation try. The team was splendidly-marshalled by Sam Stefan at fly-half and Chris Richardson at full-back was on brilliant form in defence, attack and with his tactical appreciation. Ryan Christian, Andrew Hogan and Gareth Townsend, all appearing for Maidenhead for the first time, played well. Probably the most effective unit
in the team was the back row of Mitchell Batten, Luke Knowles and Tom Kay although the way in which Maidenheads forwards gained the upper hand over the bigger Banbury pack was equally praiseworthy.

There was a hat-trick of tries for the fierce Batten, adapting to the mysteries of back row play superbly; Kay was equally powerful with his running and scored two tries. The other try-scorers were Ryan Christian (2), Chris Richardson, Chris Parrott, Elliott Hawkes and Ollie Styles and Hawkes kicked one conversion.

Maidenheads 2000-01 squad is:
Drew Allen, Mitchell Batten, Alasdair Bruce, Josh Byrne, Ryan Christian, Andrew Foot, Ashley Hanks, Elliott Hawkes, Tom Hocking, Andrew Hogan, Andrew Jones, Thomas Kay, Luke Knowles, Chris Lennox, Tom Lewis, Scott Lowden, Patrick McSweeney, Thomas Morgan, Chris Parrott, Thomas Plumer, Chris Richardson, Jack Robinson, Sam Stefan, Oliver Styles, Gareth Townsend,  Mark Williams, Tristan Wray