However, they reckoned without a new determination from the Maidenhead side that faced the wind in the first half with a steely glint in their eyes. The well-drilled Newbury forwards went through their routines of quick rucking and recycling, their backs passed well and looked fast and dangerous. But the first 20 minutes saw Maidenhead hold them well, and even give little away in territory. A try was eventually conceded to a sweeping Newbury movement, where Maidenhead simply ran out of tacklers, but their heads did not drop.

Driving back upfield, Maidenhead won a scrum 15 metres from the line. Newbury had obviously not remembered the lessons of last season, as Griffiths switched to number Eight, picked up and drove over in the corner for an equalising try and start the payback process. Wardle narrowly failed with the kick, which, due to the pitch being moved sideways 20 metres to avoid a lake of standing water, was taken from a surreal position behind the spectators!

Half-time discussions concentrated on offensive tackling, being first at the breakdown in numbers, and using the wind. Maidenhead responded magnificently, and scored very soon after the kick-off from a long kick by Wardle. The defence were pressured into carrying the ball over their own line and when it was spilled, Geneen claimed the touchdown. Wardle's conversion continued his rich form with the boot.

The next ten minutes were a little loose and scrappy. In defence, critical tackles were made at key moments by the entire backline, but in particular by Standfast. In attack, Robinson and Hampson made several good runs and the battle between Geneen and his opposing wing was a connoisseur's delight. Neil slotted in at scrum-half later in the game. The forwards showed a nose for the ball and safe hands to snaffle possession time and again. Jasnikowski, Wilding and Pederson had much the better of the front-row battle, as well as longer names. Emmanuel was a revelation at number Eight, Cean Burgess always made good ground, and Plumer, Shearer and Blake covered well. But the pick of the pack were the second rows, Griffiths and Corcoran, who were everywhere. Griffiths made light of a late night at a Deftones concert, and Corcoran had a few points to prove after his omission from the County squad.

The entire team hurled themselves at Newbury once again and camped on their line. A series of close-fought loose rucks and mauls culminated in a scrum to Maidenhead 10 metres out. Slow learners, these Newbury lads, as Griffiths again crashed over. Wardle's conversion made it 19-5 to Maidenhead. Newbury launched waves of counter-attacks which yielded a converted try, but the determined team effort by Maidenhead saw them out deserved winners at 19-12.