Maidenhead U13s 10 v Reading U13s 7
Sunday 30th January 2005

Maids under 13s pulled off a determined victory at the weekend against a strong and agile Reading team.  Finally running out 10 -7 winners in a tense and very exciting game.  Reading arrived with a quick back line but their forwards were clearly less up for the fight for the ball in the first half with Maids having a sustained 20 minutes of attacking.  This lead to a try and a closely missed conversion so Maids looked strong and up for the job ahead.  Forwards engagements were tough but Maids momentum was the stronger.

Quick handling in the backs led to our wingers seeing more of the ball than usual and breaking the Reading lines looked likely through more of the first half.  Far better decision making and good use of kicking for advantage also added to the Maids attac.  But credit must go to the forwards for a very strong showing in the first half.

The second half proved more of a challenge – with complaints raised by our opponents on Warrick’s binding at the scum and the Reading forwards being far more determined the second half was getting quite heated.  The referee saw no concerns with our scumaging so play continued apace…but more concerted pressure on the right wing lead to a push by the Reading forwards for the line which eventually resulted in a try – which after a bounce on the bar was converted.   Reading led 7-5 and Maids were fearful of repeating their performance against Newbury with a late loss.

But faith held and despite crossing the try line twice in the next 5 minutes – one disallowed by the Reading line judge, Maids pulled off a memorable victory with five metre scum which Warrick collected after Ben headed for the line and with a lot of effort goy over the try line and Maids were 10- 7 up with 1minute to play.   Reading to their credit came back very strongly and Maids were defending heartily for a very long minute and injury time.

The whistle went and Maids at last got to run off victors in this tough introduction to the Berkshire leagues.

In the final analysis Maids won because determination didn’t falter, the forward played for me their best of the season and despite losing momentum in the second half with less clean ball being available the backs took the game to Reading too.  Good decision making and slightly more luck with spot kicking and we would have been comfy winners.  For me Oscar had a great game at full back – with good strong running and decision making and Warrick’s two tries means he must pick up the man of the match.  But this isn’t to downplay excellent performances for the tight 5 in particular and some very clever play from Ben.  We were short of a few players on the day but we filled gaps and made good headway a good win and well earned.  It’s a team game and we showed it on Sunday.

For those parents unable to see the game – get in the bar and buy Alistair a beer.