Maidenhead U15s 0 v Basingstoke U15s 49

Maids were missing seven first choice players due to school trips and injuries, and it was no disgrace to lose by that score against a side which has, not surprisingly, only lost one game in the past two seasons.

Maids gave debuts to four new players, Eddie Hopkin-Jones, Jordan Levett, Ben Rueth, and Johno Weatherly, and they all battled hard and never gave up the right whatever the situation.

Basingstoke scored two early tries and were 14-0 up after only rive minutes, but the Maids' forwards then started playing better with Stuart Smithies, Hopkin-Jones and Levett showing up well.

The backs were having to work hard in defence with Dan Evans and Daryl Brady putting in good tackles, as the teams went in at the break with Basingstoke leading 28-0.

At the start of the second half Maids won some better ball and James McDonald and David Hunston at half-back were able to keep Basingstoke in their own half.

However when they got some good ball their powerful backs were able to score from deep in their own half.

The game was a very tough start to the season for Maids but better days should be ahead when a full squad is available again.