U14s' triangular with Chinnor and Romford

Sunday 12th February 2006

Chinnor and Romford visited Braywick on Sunday for a triangular fixture. All three squads were greatly reduced due to half term absences, meaning that 12 a side games were played. First off was Maidenhead vs Chinnor and it was quite obvious from the kick off that Maids had left their brains in the changing room. The kick was dropped, Chinnor gained possession and marched down field to score. Their second try came from a burst through the centres assisted by feeble tackling. After half time play resumed in much the same way Chinnor scoring from a blind side break and then another deep run for the fullback. Final score 22-0 and it could have been worse if Tom O'Brien hadn't put in some brave last ditch tackles. Yes Chinnor were a bigger side, but it was extremely frustrating to see the lack of commitment to the tackle - headlights and rabbits spring to mind!

Chinnor then played Romford and the game ended as a 10-10 draw.

During the warm up for Maids second game a bit of amateur psychology was brought to bear - along the lines of buck your ideas up and start playing with some passion. The team was also juggled about a bit with Will Cadden (flanker) hooking, Jamie Townsend (hooker) in the centres and Oli Peach (2nd row), and Hugh O'Connor (flanker) on the wings. However, having seen the game between Chinnor and Romford the coaches were a bit worried as to the outcome. They needn't have been. This time the Maids' team were up for it and forwards played with real commitment, knocking Romford players out of the way to control possession. A rare back line attack spearheaded by Townsend gave the forwards good position to launch a series of pick and drive with Myles Faulkner and Brent Olivier to the fore. Olivier crossing between the posts for a Maids' try. Hudson converted. The second half was a torrid affair with Romford relentlessly attacking and Maids defending with vigour. At one point this became a bit heated - at last Maids were playing like they cared. However, this was nearly undone by a piece of sloppy defending from a penalty which allowed one of Romford's tanks to roll over the line between the posts in the dying seconds of the game. Surely the kick would be a formality to tie the game up. Piers Kemp snapped at the team to charge the kick - and this last play was enough to distract the kicker, who hit the post, the ball bouncing off wide. 7-5 to Maids.