U15s win Berks decider at Redingensians Redingensians U15s 0
Maidenhead U15s 22
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| Maidenhead
took the Berkshire League for the second season in
succession with a 22-0 victory over Redingensians in the
decider. It was a thumping victory and Maids' superiority
was not remotely reflected in the final score.
Redingensians defended stoutly but never looked likely to
score a try at any stage, such was Maids' control of
possession and territory. Maidenhead, remarkably, did not
concede a score in their whole league programme. The team now departs for a tour of Holland with all the main objectives for the season having been achieved, with huge improvement in individual and team performance and having kept all their large squad together. There has also been a significant contribution from physio Ralph Murwill, whose expertise has proved invaluable. |
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| The
victory was even more praiseworthy since it came from
deep adversity. Maids were without four county squad
players in Andrew Hogan and Ali Bruce in the backs and
Luke Knowles and big Tom Plumer in the forwards. Also,
skipper Joe Thomas and vice-captain Dave Hodgson had been
battling injury all week and were only declared fit to
start just before the game. Hodgson's normally superb
kicking at goal and out of hand, was restricted. In a thrilling match in which Redingensians played a full part - until a loss of control on the part of a small handful of their players towards the end, including a sin-binning for a crude high tackle. Maids sometimes lacked composure, especially in trying to finish off the myriad of attacking movements which created chances. However, the coaches were delighted with the performance of a squad which played without a single weak link. |
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| The platform up front was set by the punishing scrummaging of Pat McSweeney and Ben Tucker; Tom Morgan appeared in the second half to strike cleanly and Jack Robinson was again outstanding. Drew Jones helped Maids to settle with some early two-handed catching in the line-out and Thomas, bravely battling an ankle injury, was immense too. Mitch Batten was at his best on the openside and Tom Kay came within inches of a deserved try with an astonishing run from No 8 which ended inches short. Tim Johnson had one of his best games on the loose ball and Chris Parrott made a welcome return to the team as a replacement after suffering back trouble for a month. | |||
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| Behind the scrum, Chris Adam was on typically fierce form, absorbing a great deal of the pressure from the home team's defence. Tom Lewis kept a cool head at fly-half and his generalship, such a feature of the season, never wavered. Hodgson and Ryan Christian came out on top of a major midfield battle; Alex Cannon was a constant danger with his running out of defence and there were heroic performances from Sam Stefan, ending the season on prime form, and the dangerous Elliott Hawkes on the right wing. Maids also fielded Anthony Lewis and Chris Richardson, emphasising the talent on the bench, and Ollie Styles, who also arrived during the second half, picked up the high pace of the game, one making a break down the right wing which could easily have ended in a try. | |||
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| Maids rather made hard work of the first half, failing to capitalise on their tough approach work; they had to be content with one superb try, with excellent passing down the right and a try in the right-hand corner for the flying Stefan. However, they also wasted chances through sheer exuberance and commitment. However, they shut down the home team backs and turned over the home forwards so regularly that their victory was never in doubt. | |||
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| It
was sealed by a defiant try. Maids coaches called for a
shot at goal from under the Redingensians posts but were
ignored by the team and skipper Thomas. Adam took a quick
tap, and brilliant quick hands from Lewis and Hodgson
send the predatory Cannon over in the left hand corner.
Soon after, after several more chances went begging,
Lewis slipped Cannon through on a set move and Cannon
went streaking to the posts. Tom "Wilko" Lewis,
whose goalkicking success rate had been 100% for the
season, mis-hit the conversion. After Kay had been narrowly held out, the Maids forwards took a hand, driving unstoppably down the left wing and a try touched down by the busy Robinson. The League trophy was accepted by Thomas after the game, kindly presented by Paul Maycock, the home team coach, who had inspired his men to a performance that was easily the best in the League Maids had faced all season. |
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| Maidenhead's
squad was: Sam Stefan, Chris Richardson, Elliott Hawkes, Ryan Christian, Dave Hodgson, Anthony Lewis, Alex Cannon, Tom Lewis, Chris Adam, Ollie Styles; Pat McSweeney, Tom Morgan, Jack Robinson, Ben Tucker, Drew Jones, Joe Thomas (capt), Chris Parrott, Tim Johnson, Tom Kay, Mitch Batten |
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