Maids U15s tournament reports

Sunday 10th October 2004

Maidenhead v Hove
This was definitely a game of two halves. From the kick off Maids needlessly gave away a penalty which was converted into three points by Hove.

From the restart Maids forwards recovered the ball and put together two good drives putting Hove under pressure. However from a turnover Hove stole the ball and proceeded to run virtually unapposed from the half way line to score a try. The conversion was successful and Maids found themselves 10-0 down against a team that had simply capitalised on our errors.

Although not playing well in the first half the spirit of the team meant that they took the game to Hove. As a result of two quickly taken penalties Maids found themselves within striking distance of the Hove line and Paul Roberts weaved his way through their defence to score under the posts and subsequently convert his own try. Half time score 10-7 to Hove.

The second half saw a complete reversal of fortunes with the Maids forwards achieving domination over their opponents and forcing a number of penalties to keep play in the Hove half.

Maids were now dominating and there were signs that the fluidity in our play that has recently been missing was starting to return. A flowing backs move across the pitch was only stopped by an illegal high tackle on Olly Woodward. Again Paul Roberts took a quick penalty and his mazy run took him past the surprised Hove defence to score in the corner. The try was unconverted. The score now stood at 12-10 to Maidenhead and this proved to be the final result.

Maids continued to dominate affairs and remained camped in the Hove 22 for the rest of the game and were close to achieving further scores but for their opponents desperate defence on the try line.

A good win in the end with the second half showing clear signs of improvement in all aspects of our play. Aside from the not unexpected excellent contribution from Paul Roberts, Toby Harrison deserves mention for his spirited leadership of the pack.

Maidenhead v Thurrock
From the start a period of pressure by Maidenhead saw Thurrock give away a number of penalties. Several driven by the forwards finally created space for George Colbourn to score a try under the posts. This was converted by Paul Roberts. After a Maidenhead knock-on from the restart, Thurrock got close to the Maidenhead line but Maidenhead resisted and finally cleared their lines. Following a line-out Maidenhead and some undisciplined play by Thurrock the Maidenhead forwards drove to the try line. From the ruck Will Page dived over to score.

At the beginning of the second half a period of pressure from Maidenhead and a number of drives by the forward finally saw George Colbourn score.

Thurrock then had a period of pressure but following a turnover Paul Roberts ran the ball out of defence. Good link play and support by Toby Harrison saw the prop pass the ball out to Louis on the wing who ran the ball in to complete the end to end move to make the score 22 – 0.

After a period of good play by Maidenhead and further indiscipline by Thurrock giving away a series of penalties Paul Roberts put the ball out wide for Callum MacKenzie, the full-back, to run into the line to score the final try of the match. Paul Roberts failed with his kick but that was the last action giving Maidenhead a 27 – 0 victory.