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U14s serve up Nando's on a plate Nando's 10s youth tournament Plate final Maidenhead U14s 35 v Horsham U14s 21 Sunday 29nd April 2007 |
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Maids U14s saved their best 'til last to win the Plate final at Cobham RFC's Nando's 10s tournament with a barnstorming victory against Horsham. The boys were presented with their trophy by Wasps and England star Josh Lewsey. The 14s section brought together two of the best teams in the region: Berkshire County champions Newbury and Surrey County champions Cobham. Maidenhead and Horsham completed the quartet who played each other in the group stage to decide the main and plate final line-ups. The well-run tournament, played under a scorching sun, was sponsored by restaurant chain Nando's, which generously supplied players and parents each with a delicious free peri-peri chicken burger each - and obligatory T-shirts for the boys. Playing high-calibre opponents was great experience for the team, but Maids initially struggled to find their form in the unaccustomed 10s format. First up was Newbury, who ran in four first half-tries. Maids found it hard to provide support to the ball carrier or retain possession. An improved second period was tied one try apiece to leave Newbury 35.7 winners. Rory Creffield and Chris Withers scrapped well and Ben Pritchard touched down for Maidenhead at the start of the half. Next came a stern challenge against hosts Cobham (who went on to crush Newbury in the main final 35.0). They breezed passed Maids 42.0 by showing greater cohesion and more passion. The final group game was a winnable match against Sussex side Horsham. Maids showed good improvement and took the game to the opposition, working the ball well, and playing much more positively. Paul Sayers dodged tackles and worked a gap to open the scoring. Horsham retaliated quickly with a try of their own before Ben again blasted through to give Maids a half-time lead. Olly Evans almost added a third. Horsham came back more strongly after the turnaround and scored three times to win 28.14 in a match the boys knew they could have won. More committed tackling, improved support play and remembering to get the ball to the Backs were the instructions for the Plate final, with revenge against Horsham on the menu. Everything that was lacking in the opening matches was delivered in bucket-loads in the final. From the whistle Maids attacked and never gave Horsham a chance to settle. Ben put Maids ahead before Horsham levelled. Maids were winning the mauls and rucking hard. Josh Turvey, Elliott Reed and Morgan Davies all played strongly. The ball was worked well with quick hands by the Backs and two rapid-fire tries from Thomas Simpson showed the watching crowd what the team was capable of. As the second period began Thomas again danced through Horsham's defence to make it 28.7. Horsham proved formidable opponents though and brought the score back to a nail-biting 28.21 before a trademark Michael Habgood try sealed the 35.21 win. Pride was restored with a 100% committed performance that lifted the boys' confidence and ended their U14 season in style. Squad: |