Sunday 18th April 2004

The team were up against 10 teams from all over the West Country and Wales.

Maids first challenge was the host team Cleve who are notoriously tough competitors.

Maids forwards were on the attack immediately and had Cleve pinned down in their own half for most of the first half and eventually secured an impressive try through fly half George Dutton.

The second half saw a determined Cleve side desperate to avoid a defeat in their first game. Maids defended with true grit and determination to hold on to their lead, only to concede an equalising try in the dying seconds of the game.

Maidenhead 1 – 1 Cleve

Maids second game was against Chippenham Colts and almost immediately Maids forwards had overrun the Chippenham defence to allow outside centre Colin Kerins to score an impressive individual try in the opening seconds. This was followed by further tries from prop Marcus Bateson, inside centre Henry Bradley and two more by fly half George Dutton.

Chippenham came back with one try in the latter half of the second half but were totally out classed by the Maids team whose confidence was growing with every play as they had the winner’s trophy in their sights.

Maidenhead 5 – 1 Chippenham

The third game against a robust Corsham side allowed the Maids wingers to show their skills to the growing band of supporters. Tries by Lewis Kiddell and Jonny Garius completely cut up the defence of the opposition and drained their will to compete. Corsham had one intimidating weapon nicknamed "Lomu" and he was wheeled in an attempt to break the Maids forward line. Inside Centre Henry Bradley was given the daunting task of stopping "the fridge" and succeeded in holding back this onslaught throughout the remainder of the game. Tries by prop Simon Graham, scrum half Keiron Egan and wing Dylon Cadogan completed an impressive scoreline for the Maids.

Maidenhead 4 – 1 Corsham

Game Four for Maids was against Newport. The boys were aware that if they won this game they were through to the tournament final. Against atrocious wet and muddy conditions the Maids team began to shred the Newport defence with tries coming from George Dutton, Simon Graham, Colin Kerins, Cameron Foster, Keiron Egan and Marcus Bateson.

Maids totally out classed the Newport team and this was reflected in the impressive scoreline.

Maidenhead 10 – 0 Newport

THE TOURNAMENT FINAL

Maidenhead had at this stage played 3 games back to back and were exhausted, wet and muddy. But glowing with anticipation. The team were totally psyched up as they desperately wanted to win this game and take home the trophy.

Their opponents were local champions the Chippenham Falcons.

From the start this was a bruising game and the determination on the faces of this young Maids team was etched on their faces as they faced up to an onslaught of Chippenham pressure.

Maids conceded a try early on but remained focussed. The team fought back hard and forced the local side back into their own half. Driving mauls got the Maids close to the try line on several occasions only to be held back by impressive defending. Maids hooker Christian Horn was eventually stretchered off during one such searing drive. Eventually the relentless pressure paid off and outside centre "Colin the Collar" gained the well earned equaliser.

The game remained tight and aggressive right through the second half. However in the dying stages of the half a dubious decision gave Chippenham possession and they took full advantage and scored their winning try.

This promising young Maids team had fought a valiant and courageous battle to reach this stage of the tournament and fully deserved their runners up medals and look sure to be bringing plenty of silverware back to Berkshire in the coming years.

Maidenhead 1 – 2 Chippenham Falcons