U17s march beyond Aldermaston

Maidenhead U17s 35 v Aldermaston U17s 3

Sunday 20th November 2005

Maidenhead needed a win against Aldermaston to finish the first part of their OBB U17 league season unbeaten, and to score 4 tries to ensure maximum points in all their matches. A win by 7 tries to a penalty goal secured both ambitions and the squad deserve congratulations for their positive attitude, their excellent performances and the fact that they have now gained promotion for the next part of the season.

However, based on Sunday’s performance, they will need to improve their focus and concentration if they are to challenge for promotion in the next division. Too many passes challenged the acrobatic abilities of the intended receivers, 8 kicks were missed and overlaps of two or three men were too often spurned in favour of the tackler’s embrace. However, Maids are now a competent unit and even when having an indifferent day, they can still produce enough fire power to put away the teams in their present league.

On a raw misty morning, with some "bone" in the pitch, the glow of the red Aldermaston shirts produced the first bright spots of the day. However, having narrowly missed a first minute penalty, Maids were soon awarded another penalty near the line and a tap move saw winger James Kudamaku go over for a try.

The Maids forwards then took control, with Liam Lynch ensuring safe possession in the lines out and back-rowers Guy Kynaston and David Sewell and stand-in hooker Gareth White gaining valuable yards in the loose. Aldermaston were penned inside their own "22" and it was not surprising when scrum-half Dean Rogers pressurised the defence into spilling the ball behind the goal line and pounced on the ball for a try.

Loose-head prop Brinsley Munn forced his way over from a short penalty for another unconverted try, to make the score 15-0 at half time.

The second half began with James Kudamaku going over for a try wide on the wing. But within seconds a lapse in concentration in the Maids’ defence saw Aldermaston scoring a penalty.

By this time in the match it was apparent that Maids had done enough to win and the consequent lack of tension was reflected in some fairly aimless play. However, Maids’ powerful outsides ran in three more tries, through centre and stand-in skipper Mike Skelton, winger Jack Penrose and fullback Corin Singh.

Recent matches between these two teams have been excellent examples of youth rugby at its best, played with commitment and determination, but with excellent discipline and sportsmanship. A typical example of all that can be best in rugby was demonstrated when Maidenhead’s Kudamaku suffered an apparent neck injury. The first person to leave the play and go to his aid was the Aldermaston No. 7.