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U9s at the Saracens Festival Dave Morgan reports from Green Road Sunday 6th November 2005 |
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The weather in North London this morning was inclement. High winds and driving rain made it all the more unusual to spot a seven foot tall camel called Fez! In Maidenhead's group we were pitched against some very stiff opposition. None more than in the opener against a highly regarded Kingsbridge Blues. They had some big strong players who ran in wave after wave of attacks deep into the heart of the Maidenhead defence. Some excellent tackling notably by Chris Gill kept them at bay in the first half until a try with not much hint of downward pressure opened the Blues account. More heroic defence only let in one further try in this half. The second half brought more of the same. The Blues were up in defence and spoiling Maidenhead's limited possession. Great defensive play by Jordan Davis and Dan Blackwell limited the try count to just one in the second half. Score…Lose 3--0
The second round game saw us against the hosts Saracens Fez Heads. The opposition scored early on in a very evenly matched contest. Tommy Roberts enjoyed a darting run down the blind side being adjudged in touch a few metres short. Maids then put on a very powerful 7 player maul close to half time and this resulted in a well worked try being calmly finished by Matt Bourne. The second half started with a ferocious tackle unleashed on the host fly half by Daniel Morgan close to the line. The ball was dislodged in the contact and gathered by the ever present Danny Blackwell to score a super try. The hosts managed a consolation try towards the end of the encounter but never threatened the now fully buoyed up Maidenhead. Score … Win 2--1 Next up were Amersham and Chiltern. The first half was too close to call with no score. Good runs by Ellie Rayer and David James were thwarted by the attendant defence. Liam Haines came to the fore in this match with some superb tackling and determined running on and off the ball. Second half started well for the Bucks team scoring a well worked team try 3 minutes into the half. From the resultant re start Daniel Morgan was unstoppable taking route one to the try line. We did not witness the unconventional "roly-poly" celebration we saw at Chippenham! Honours even in a thoroughly entertaining match. Score…. Draw 1--1
The last match was against a well-favoured Harrow outfit. We were soon one try down early doors. After several exchanges in possession Maidenhead touched down with Tom Dabiase scoring showing strength, patience and tenacity from a forward drive and resultant maul. The score was tied at half time. Maidenhead went from strength to strength in the second period with fantastic solo efforts from Dan Blackwall and Laim Haines respectively rounding of 30 metre efforts by touching down for a try each. Harrow scored a consolation try at the death. Score ..Win 3--2. Team: |