MRFC U14s v Redingensians 12/11/00

A well soaked pitch and a bright sunny day greeted Maidenhead under 14s Berkshire league match against Redingensians. But then there was the daunting thought of playing a side that had just delivered a thrashing to last years league winners Newbury. However despite an early surge by Redingensians onto the Maidenhead try line, a strong defensive kick by Alex Barnett took the ball away from danger. Swiftly followed by a brilliant intercept of a Redingensians pass by Matthew Wardle who dashed run down half the pitch to deliver a try in the first five minutes supplemented by a conversion by Tom Robinson. Boosted by early success and despite a few careless knock-ons, the slippery ball was in the hands of outside centre David Geenen who shot along the edge of the field for a certain try, but a last second tackle into touch denied this. Some minutes later, ever watchful for the opportunity, Griffiths intercepted and powered through the Redingensians defence but unluckily pushed out within sight of the score line.

There then followed some classic passing which delivered another painful blow for the surprised opposition. With the ball again with rocket man Geneen, he took a tackle but swiftly passed to Greg Burgess on the wing. Again Redingensians delivered a tackle but the ball was on to that human battering ram Adrian Griffiths, this time he too was put to the floor though by now the Burgess was already back at his side to take the pass, a quick look to see who was next in line but the way was clear and Burgess took the ball over to bring Maidenhead 14 up with the conversion by Wardle. It was then Redingensians turn, a determined pack powered though the solid Maidenhead defence to score in the centre of the posts but the conversion failed so giving 14-5 half time score to Maidenhead.

Playing into the sun Maids were soon pushed to their line but an offside by Redingensians meant a long kick took the ball away to touch. But danger was still there. Redingensians fought back and took the ball over but Maidenhead were let off the hook as the ball was dropped. But the constant pressure from the persistent Reading side paid off when inside centre Bateman pummelled through to take the try and give the blue shirts a sniff of possible victory.

With the scores getting closer Maidenhead showed characteristic determination. Close to the try line another offside by Redingensians gave a kick to Maids and with Griffiths going like a steam hammer, he took the ball over to increase the score difference and bring a smile back to the Maidenhead supporters.

But it was not over, Redingensians scored again but the conversion hit the bar and kept the score at the final whistle of 19-17 to Maidenhead. With Redingensians having possession most of the time, it was a lucky win for the local team but well deserved. Some good kicks to touch, swift passing down the line and some strong defence plus great tackling from the likes of Simon Standfast, Thurlough O’Connor and Jamie Plumer as well as good scummaging from Niels Pederson and Grant Shearer gave the backs plenty of opportunities to run with the ball, all contributed to Maidenhead’s unbeaten record in the Berkshire league this year. But the win is great encouragement for the tough game expected in a couple of weeks against local rivals Windsor.