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U17s start league season with a good win over High Wycombe Maidenhead U17s 39 v High Wycombe U17s 0 |
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Over the past few seasons the squad which is now the U 17s has struggled, but the commitment of the players has never been in question. It was, therefore, a fitting reward for their team spirit and dedication to training that they started their campaign in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon league with a convincing win, even taking the bonus point for scoring 4 or more tries. The promise of the previous week’s narrow loss at Windsor was rewarded with this win at Braywick. Maidenhead have a relatively very light pack, particularly behind the rugged front row of Munns, Clarke and Gull. What they lack in size they more than make up in technique and, from the kick-off, it was encouraging to see Maids dominating the set pieces, winning several balls against the head and Liam Lynch and Guy Kynaston threatening the Wycombe lines out. The forwards’ loose play in the rucks and mauls was less convincing, but they still ensured a consistent flow of ball to the backs. The Maids’ back division is always going to be a potential match winner, with speed on the wings and at fullback and with penetration and skill in the centre. Within 5 minutes of the start, full back Corin Singh powered into the line to score a textbook try, which was converted by fly half Dean Rogers. Five minutes later a well executed three quarter move saw winger James Henly dive in at the corner. Rogers converted from the touchline. Maids added another 5 points when flanker Gareth Whyte forced his way over for an unconverted try in the corner. So, at half-time the score was 17-0, with Maids looking fairly comfortable. Maids started the second half looking less convincing, but, against the early run of play, Henly took the ball deep into Wycombe territory and from the ensuing exchanges Maidenhead won a penalty which Rogers converted. Maids found it difficult to exert pressure in the second half, whether because of lack of full match fitness, or because they were distracted by the more disjointed Wycombe tactics. However their speedy backs saw them through. From a move starting deep in Maids’ territory, Singh took the ball on and set up a try for Rogers, which he also converted. Then, again from a defensive position, winger James Kudamaku scored an outstanding individual try, carving through the Wycombe defence from his own half. Dean Rogers again added the extra points. Maidenhead then withstood a period of sustained Wycombe pressure. All credit went to both sides, to High Wycombe for not losing heart and for still trying to retrieve a lost cause, and to an increasingly tired and outweighed Maids team for withstanding the extreme pressure. Indeed, Maids found some reserves of strength to break away from defence in the dying moments to send Mike Skelton in for a try, Jack Penrose’s conversion attempt rebounding from the post. Maidenhead can be proud of an excellent win. They will be focusing on how to sustain their game through both halves of a match, how their forwards with need to develop their stamina and their techniques in the loose, as the winter mud approaches, and how the backs will fare against oppositions who may be defensively more aware than were High Wycombe. |