|
U13s make it 4 out of 5 in league at Abbey Reading Abbey
U13s 7 v Maidenhead U13s Stags 33 |
|||
 |
|||
|
Overcoming strong winds, a hard bumpy pitch and determined opponents, Maidenhead Stags made it 4 wins out of 5 in the Berkshire Under 13 League, with a 33-7 victory over Abbey RFC at Rosehill on Sunday. Maids started strongly with a determined run from number 8 Sam Balfour straight from the kick off taking play deep into the Abbey half. However a succession of handling errors meant it was only mid way through the half that Maidenhead got on the score sheet. A fine jinking run from the ever dangerous Max O’Connor followed by good recycling from the forwards led to a swift handling movement and wing Tom Eckles scoring under the posts. Will Thompson added the conversion. The Stags went further ahead when the forwards who were excellent throughout disrupted some slow Abbey possession and hooker Calum O’Flaherty picked up and drove through to score, with this time left footed kicker Sam Maguire adding the extra points. Despite a period of sustained pressure Maids didn’t add to their score in the first half due to a mixture of stout defending and poor decision making. But at the start of the second, playing into the wind, a fine break from Leo Smith put powerful centre Markus Olivier through and his superb running complemented by two trade mark hand offs resulted in a third try. Sam Maguire again provided the conversion. Abbey had always looked dangerous with the ball in hand and it was no surprise that they scored following a lapse in defensive concentration and some weak tacking. However, this proved just a consolation score as the Maidenhead pack upped the tempo and a fine drive culminated in Fred Reid emerging from a pile of bodies, to claim Maidenhead's fourth try. A superb run covering over half the length of the field bought Daniel Andrews-Jones his customary try and this time Fraser Brooks was on hand to provide the conversion. Stags can feel well pleased with their performance with the forwards in particular dominating the game with some strong and powerful rucking in conditions not ideally suited for attractive and free flowing rugby. The Maidenhead Stags squad was: Maidenhead Bulls made their way to Lower Feltham where they were entertained by Staines. The weather was going to have the biggest influence on the game - the ground was hard and rutted and there was a very strong cross wind. With this being a friendly game and at Staines request, it was agreed to play 3 x 20 minute sessions. Despite most of the possession and pressure during the 1st session, the Bulls conceded 2 tries to a quick and tall Staines back-line through a lack of tackling throughout. There was good individual running play by especially Shiv Khindria, Ross Brown and Alex McCulloch however all were well tackled just short of the line. During the 2nd session, Staines had more possession however some good defence from the Bulls limited Staines attacking plays - Staines were however able to break though eventually and with some strong, fast running from their backs, scored a further 3 tries. To the Bulls credit, they regained some initiative during the 3rd session however Staines broke away with 2 further tries resulting in a final score of Staines 39 Maidenhead 0. Full credit to the Bulls, especially all the forwards with their scrummaging, for a spirited and well contested game. Squad: |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |