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U17s battered and bruised but proud in defeat Salisbury U17s 22 v Maidenhead
U17s 7 |
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Maidenhead Under 17s finally tasted defeat this season in their semi-final of the South West Cup to the powerful team from Salisbury. Having won the Oxon, Berks and Bucks league unbeaten in ten matches this year Maidenhead went in as number 3 seed to this competition. Beating Wimbourne in the quarterfinals had set up an away semi -final match against the number 1 seeds and former winners of this competition Salisbury. Due to School commitments and injuries Maidenhead were unable to field their strongest side which was to be needed if they were to stand any chance of success. The Under 17's are rightfully proud of the quality of their squad and the players that represented Maidenhead in this match put in the most fantastic effort to try and beat the 'huge' boys from Salisbury. In the pack Maidenhead were giving away at least 2 stone per man and eventually the power of theses forwards told and the Salisbury boys ran out winners 22-7. Despite losing one of their back row in the very first ruck of the game with a split head that later required 10 stitches Maidenhead took the lead 7-0, but the Salisbury team slowly chipped away at this lead and then went into half time 10-7 ahead. After half time and with the wind at their backs the Salisbury pack took over and set up 2 'rolling maul' tries. The Maidenhead boys tackled themselves to a standstill and even came back strongly at the end when they came very close to scoring a second try that would have been deserved. Maidenhead Club can be very proud of the efforts of their Under 17s. The Salisbury team which is packed with Academy and representative players is likely to go on and win the National Cup. So to have competed how they did is a mark of the quality of the skilful Maidenhead boys, many of whom have been at the club since they were 6 years old. This is the last season together before they enter the senior club and join the Colts next year and to recognise this landmark in their rugby lives the U17s will be touring Edinburgh over the Easter period. |