U14s plough though Drifters defence Farnham Drifters U14s 12 v
Maidenhead U14s 69 |
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| The
depth in Maidenhead U14s squad was never better
illustrated than in their 69-12 victory over a brave and
enterprising Farnham Drifters team at Farnham on Sunday.
On a wet and windy day difficult for rugby, Maids were
able to make seven changes in the backs at half time, and
also leave off three forwards including captain Joe
Thomas, and still win in style. There could be few criticisms, though some of the first half rucking and line-out play was poor and there was an understandable urge on the part of the ball carrier to try to take part in the try-feast. However, some of the lightning rucking in the second half and the interchanging of forwards and backs was thrilling. There was not a single Maids player who did not contribute. |
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| It was particularly pleasing to see players like Antony Lewis, who made a remarkable try-saving tackle, Tom Hocking and Tim Johnson renew their challenge and there was some outstanding combinations between backs and forwards. Maids also had the composure to absorb a furious early assault by Drifters which gave the home side a deserved 5-0 lead in the opening stages. It was there that the coolness of Ollie Styles and Tom Lewis at half-back came to the fore. | |||
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| However, Maids' backs then took a hand as Alex Cannon, in prime try-scoring form all season, rattled in a devastating long-range hat-trick of tries to reverse the momentum. Tom Kay, whose supreme athleticism remains a feature of any Maids win, made a try for David Hodgson with a clever release then Hodgson scored himself. He also added four conversions of the five first-half tries. | |||
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| The rucking improved markedly in the second half with Luke Knowles and Andrew Jones showing the way with low body positions. Ryan Christian scored twice, Mitch Batten seized on a defensive error to score, Chris Adam battered his way over through defenders for another, and the busy Knowles scored towards the end. Big Pat McSweeney was the final try-scorer. Alasdair Bruce deftly added three conversions in the swirling wind. | |||
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| The Maids squad was: Antony Lewis, Tom Hocking, Chris Richardson, Andrew Hogan, Ryan Christian, Dai Hodgson, Alex Cannon, Tom Lewis, Ollie Styles, Alastair Bruce, Chris Adam, Elliott Hawkes; Pat McSweeney, Ashley Hanks, Jack Robinson, Tom Morgan, Chris Parrott, Joe Thomas, Andrew Jones, Luke Knowles, Tom Kay, Mitch Batten, Tim Johnson | |||
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