Depleted U14s remarkable victory over Blackheath Maidenhead U14s 22 v
Blackheath U14s 14 |
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| Maidenhead contest Blackheath's put in | |||
| Maidenhead emerged from what was a disastrous week off the field to record a remarkable 22-14 victory over the formidable Blackheath, at the Claire's Court ground on Sunday. Maidenhead struggled to field a team after no fewer than 13 of their 30-man squad were unavailable due to injury, with one school match on Saturday alone robbing them of four players. | |||
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| Maidenhead ruck over | |||
| However,
the players reacted brilliantly, after hasty revisions,
Maidenhead played a courageous and skilful game against
one of the biggest teams they have ever faced. In
particular, a back division thrown together at the last
moment tackled strongly, with Andrew Foot on the left
wing once, memorably, dumping a giant opponent to save a
try. The dynamic forward game the coaches have been seeking appeared in satisfying patches, the scrummaging was excellent, there was powerful running from Luke Knowles and Joe Thomas; and expert marshalling in the backs from Tom Lewis and Sam Stefan. It was also a fast-moving and enjoyable match. And if Maidenhead heroes were scattered liberally around the team then there was no doubting the two kingpins on the day - Tom Kay played a memorable match at No 8, full of selfless covering and dynamic running, racing nearly 60 metres for a spectacular try. And Chris Adam, playing his first full game at scrum-half, scored two tries with thunderous running with his competitiveness at close quarters often turning the ball over. Thomas scored Maids' fourth try, with Tom Hocking kicking a conversion. |
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| Another hard fought scrum | |||
| Blackheath
did themselves few favours with a rather undisciplined
approach but they had a superb captain in Ed Vanluan, who
scored a cracking individual try. The match was abandoned
as a precaution with four minutes left after a Blackheath
player was injured in the neck region but happily, after
careful attention he was able to walk from the field in
good order. Maidenhead's 13 wounded players now have two weeks to find fitness before the team defends its title at the Maidenhead tournament. |
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| Maidenhead spin it out under pressure | |||
| Team:
Backs ; Andrew Hogan, Andrew Foote, Sam Stefan, Tom Hocking, Elliott Hawkes, Anthony Lewis, Tom Lewis, Chris Adam,; forwards: Mark Williams, Jack Robinson, Ashley Hanks, Tom Morgan, Joe Thomas, Tom Plumer, Chris Parrott, Tom Kay, Tim Johnson. |
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| A (soon to be) rare Maidenhead maul | |||