|
U14s outpace Bracknell Bracknell
U14s 7 v Maidenhead U14s 27 |
|||
 |
|||
|
A stirring team performance where every player made impressive contributions ensured an important Berkshire League win away to Bracknell in a match played deep in mud and in the face of torrential rain. With a large and powerful pack Bracknell clearly meant business, but were caught napping at the kick-off. Captain Ben Pritchard made a telling tackle to regain possession and set Prop Elliot Reid off like a winger down the left flank to score in the corner with less than a minute on the clock. The lead was doubled soon after with Ben in the thick of a driving maul, releasing Oliver Evans on an excellent run as Maids advanced within five metres of Bracknell's line. Charlie Wickham-Smith finished off the move, crashing over for 10.0. Conditions made passing a challenge as the rain drummed down. Elliot and Ben showed good soccer skills, kicking loose ball with great accuracy. Flanker Rory Creffield and Matt Quinn were tenacious in the mauls, often merging from under the bodies with the ball in hand. From a penalty, Elliot linked with Ben as the team rolled relentlessly forward. As the Forwards drove over in the ruck Charlie found space to touch down again. Despite the lashing rain and strong wind, Thomas Simpson sent the conversion sailing between the posts. There was more to come as second rows Alex Jones and Chris Withers held off Bracknell's forwards. Bracknell were winning scrums and rucks but their passing was often awry. Most of the time this was down to Maids' speed in close down opponents. The Forwards and especially the Backs gave Bracknell no time to think on the ball. Paul Sweeney came on for an injured Conor Murphy and helped keep the pack ticking over. A darting run by Matt Morgan started a move that ended with Mitch Burns flying over for a 22.0 lead at halt-time. As expected, Bracknell regrouped and came out stronger in the second half. The hosts showed more determination and their passes were finding the mark. But Maids absorbed a crucial 10-minute period of pressure without buckling. Fast moves, switching play from left to right then back again allowed Maids to up the pressure. George Kirk made a fantastic run, bouncing through at least three tackles. Matt Bill was in the thick of it and Michael Habgood's deadly turn of pace gained vital extra metres as the team went looking for a decisive fifth try. James Parrott played the final quarter and quickly made his mark with several determined drives forward. Clinical distribution and great decision-making from scrum half Paul Sayers kept things ticking over as Maids won possession in the loose and pressurised Bracknell's defence. Great play by Oliver Evans pushed Maids deeper into Bracknell's half, as Mike James and Alex Jones kept Maids' Forwards pummelling a tiring Bracknell pack. A characteristic breakaway run by Thomas Simpson gave Bracknell's flailing defence little chance as he darted through the gaps and over the line for Maids' final try of the day. Bracknell didn't give up though and forced Maids into some great defending in the closing minutes. From a scrum five metres out, Bracknell bulldozed their way to the line and their number eight delivered the home side's consolation try. Maids' coaches praised the team for its work rate and cohesion, with all departments working together well, especially in closing down their opponents and forcing them to make mistakes. Tries: Cons: Squad: |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |