A fine, if windy, Sunday saw two teams, both significantly down on players, play out a fast-moving, full-blooded game. Although the spoils went to Wootton Bassett 0-15, Maidenhead were far from overwhelmed, and the principal difference between the two sides was the performance of a very strong and fast Wootton fullback. Four out of seven Maidenhead backs were playing out of position, but all acquitted themselves well. Defensively, critical tackles were made by Geneen, Burgess and Kent, and in attack, Hampson, Robinson and O’Connor all gave the opposition problems at times. Plumer very nearly stole away for an interception try towards the end.

The Maidenhead forwards stood up to a strong, well-drilled Wootton pack, and although physically smaller, they still gave nothing away. Once again, the front row of Pederson, Shearer and Emmanuel stole a number of heels against the head, and in the loose, Carne and Fox in the back row wrestled opponents the size of cattle to the ground.

However, the performance of the side again came from the second rows of Corcoran and Griffiths. Corcoran hurled himself at the opposition time and again, and Griffiths was absolutely immense. Winning ball time and again, this pair showed true class and grit, forcing the hard yards upfield to relieve pressure.

Maidenhead played with the wind at their backs in a very even first half. There was great pace to flowing movements from both teams in long, uninterrupted passages of play that left players, spectators and referee quite breathless. Darting attacks by O’Connor and Robinson, and full-on brave runs by Geneen, Hampson and Kent all put Wootton under pressure. Burgess also ran strongly, although playing out of position at fly-half.

The visitors tested Maidenhead frequently with well-rehearsed passing moves and eventually forced an opening out wide for their strong blind-side flanker to bullock over.

Turning round 0-5 was no disgrace, and Maidenhead were determined to close the gap. Their forwards consistently won ball from scrum and loose ruck, and made good progress. However, the superior strength and technique of the Wootton forwards began to tell, and a tiring Maidenhead pack started to find it difficult to break up waves of attacks through the Wiltshire forwards who recycled and presented the ball well.

One passage of play summed up the match. Griffiths ripped the ball from a maul just yards from the Maidenhead line and burst away up the blind side. Would-be tacklers were left flailing in this young giant’s wake as he galloped up the touchline. Sensing the cover flooding across to force him out of play, Griffiths kicked ahead well into the opposition 22. The Wootton fullback gathered, just eluded Griffith’s tackle, then steamed off back up the middle of the field. Brushing aside some none-too-convincing attempted tackles, the Wiltshire lad approached the Maidenhead 22 and the sterner challenge of David Geneen. Avoiding the turf sandwich that such occasions inevitably bring about, he kicked ahead and the ball bounced towards the Maidenhead posts, hotly pursued by 3 Wootton players. A certain try was saved by a composed Burgess who shepherded the ball over the line and touched down safely.

Further stout defence kept Wootton at bay, but two unfortunate moments saw critical scores, both coming from kicks, which was testament to the defensive commitment of all 14 Maidenhead players. An awkward bounce left an unlucky Kent stranded on his own line and Wootton were adjudged to have just touched down first in what was undoubtedly a close call. Another kick ahead exposed limited numbers in the Maidenhead defence, and again Wootton scored out wide.

The scoreline of 0-15 did not reflect Maidenhead’s contribution to a fast and open game, and Plumer was close to an interception score that would have closed the gap to a more realistic level. Whilst the visitors were depleted, so were Maidenhead, and with so many players playing out of position, they can be proud of their morning’s work against a very professional outfit.