U17s crack the Bletchley code

Maidenhead U17s 23 v Bletchey U17s 5
Sunday 6th November 2005

The enigma facing Maids on a wet and blustery Sunday morning at Braywick was how to cope with larger, more powerful looking opponents from the division above them in the OBB leagues.

The solution turned out to be easy in theory, but requiring commitment and concentration to deliver. Play your own game, have confidence in your own ability and, above all, keep your discipline and composure.

Maids only defeat so far this season was their opening friendly against Windsor. Bletchley came to Maidenhead with a win against Windsor under their belt and clearly confident they had more than sufficient fire power to deal with a smaller Maidenhead team. Even the weather seemed to be ideal for Bletchley, but they were not the first opponents to find out to their cost that it is very dangerous to under-estimate this Maids U17s squad.

When Maids refused to be rolled over and went into a 16 point lead by half-time, Bletchley’s confidence ebbed away and with it their discipline. In the final analysis, Maids won because their forwards matched the Bletchley pack, their outsides were faster and more imaginative and because Bletchley’s lack of composure meant they failed to develop a coherent game plan, relying too much on the individual, unsupported efforts of a few key players.

Some good incisive running by the Maids’ half backs, Dean Rogers and Tom Miller, put early pressure on Bletchley and, when they gave away a penalty, Rogers added the points. Maids’ pace and determination meant that their opponents could not settle and it was no surprise when centre Mike Skelton ran in a try, converted by Rogers.

As the first half progressed, Bletchley started to use their pack to drive into Maids’ territory, but the Maids’ defence was up to the task and, when Maidenhead finally got back into the Bletchley half, Rogers kicked 2 penalties in quick succession.

Bletchley started the second half with renewed determination, clearly stung by the prospect of losing to junior opponents. When their forwards set up an unconverted try, it looked distinctly ominous for Maidenhead. Instead, it was Maids who bounced back. The pack won good, quick ball from the loose and Skelton cut through the defence for his second try. Rogers maintained his 100% record with the boot to add the conversion. Bletchley then threw attack after attack at Maids, but they were largely uncoordinated solo efforts and the defence held firm until the final whistle.

Special mention must be made of the Maidenhead forwards. In the absence of their regular hooker, they struggled in the lines out, but in every other phase of the game they more than matched their opponents in both attack and defence and provided the essential platform for the backs to score the points.