U15s overwhelm Reading

Maidenhead U15s 53 v Reading U15s 0
3rd February 2008

The Under 15s proved too strong against a dogged Reading side who couldn't cope with the boys' pacey, passing game. It wasn't all one-way traffic, though. Maids found it hard to break down Reading's resistance in the first half and went into the break with only a slender 10.0 advantage. But the floodgates opened in the second period as they piled on a further 48 points without reply.

Jack Bower, Matt Bill and Thomas Simpson forged a good early opening. Alex Jones started a driving move to earn Maidenhead a scrum in sight of Reading's line. Charlie Wickham-Smith spotted the gap to score the first try. Reading competed well and won a series of line-outs deep in Maids' territory. The visitors drove over well in the rucks but couldn't convert their possession. And Maids always looked dangerous on the break - James Parrott set off a driving maul, supported by Mike James and Rory Creffield. Maids went close again with a break that combined the lively Connor Murphy, Matt Bill, Elliot Reid and Michael Habgood. Olly Evans found space to run wide on the right but was well tackled. Just before half-time a great passing move was finished emphatically by Thomas Simpson in the left corner.

The chillingly familiar Braywick breeze had a strong influence on play and after the break, Maidenhead had the wind behind their backs. James Brooks and Matt Morgan exploited the conditions to kick Maidenhead deep behind Reading's 22-metre line. Thomas made it 15.0 from another slick move. Reading's kick-off was caught by Elliot who tore straight back through a static defence to make it 20.0. James Brooks guided in the conversion. In an almost carbon copy move, Michael Habgood caught a Reading kick and sliced the visitors open again, with Thomas landing the conversion to put Maids 29.0 in front.

Reading couldn't get their hands on the ball now as Paul Sayers set up the moves from scrums and breakdowns. Thomas, Josh Turvey and Morgan Davies all found the tryline during a dazzling display of superb teamwork, with another James Brooks conversion clicking the scoreboard ever higher. To their credit, Reading never gave up and tried to run with the ball, but too many missed tackles kept them on the backfoot.

Elliot entertained the home fans by scoring with a storming run from deep in his own half before James Parrott completed the rout with a well-timed run in support of another break by the pack. A final conversion from James Brooks sealed the emphatic win.