U13s v Old Dartfordians

25th February 2007

Maids Under 13s welcomed an extremely large Dartfordians squad to Braywick on Sunday. In order to give all the Maidenhead players a bit of game time it was agreed that we would play four 15 minute segments, Maids Stags playing the first two and Maids Bulls the second two.

The Stags started proceedings and got the scoreboard ticking over with a very simple but devastatingly effective demonstration of handling down the backline for full back Sam Maguire to score. (He will remember next time that if he gets nearer the posts his conversion attempt will be easier!). At this stage the coaches felt that things were looking promising, but the much bigger Dartfordians side proceeded to give a good masterclass in rumbling forward play, creeping ever nearer the Maids line with a series of rucks, mauls and scrums. Whilst Maids’ game plan was clearly to avoid lengthy “wrestling” bouts for the ball, Darts gave the home side no option but to try to defend and eventually the pressure told and the visitors equalised.

In the second period, however, Maids looked far more comfortable and Dartfordians never threatened their line again, much to their obvious frustration, with a number of off the ball incidents marring the occasion. Markus Olivier added one try for the Stags with a run from half way through a number of disinterested defenders, but the pick of the day was finished by Daniel Andrews-Jones, also from half way, after an incisive break from Fraser Brooks and brilliant handling and timing from Leo Smith to give the scoring pass. With one of the conversions going over, the Stags finished comfortable 17-5 winners.

The Bulls were always going to have the harder task, taking on what was the Dartfordians A squad and with an even smaller squad, physically, than the Stags. The first period was very closely fought, however, and Kaya Baxter set the tone with the tackle of the day within the first few seconds, felling a 6 foot plus opponent with a crunching challenge. Max Ring followed suit and the Bulls looked to be at least on even terms, but unfortunately the speedier and more highly skilled Maids backs could not quite find the angle to break through and a number of decisions to cut back towards the forwards rather than move the ball wide brought attacks to an end.

In the end the Dartfordians repeated their approach from earlier to rumble over through the forwards and bravery proved no match for bulk, but the Bulls can be proud of their efforts and will have gained valuable experience of playing against a big, “bruising” set of forwards.