U15s dispatch Bracknell

Maidenhead U15s 19 v Bracknell U15s 14
16th March 2008

Maidenhead U15s bounced back from last week's disappointing game with a hard-fought Berkshire League win over Bracknell, played in the all too familiar wind tunnel that is the far pitch at Braywick. Both sides played to a high level despite constant drizzle and the relentless wind that drove across the pitch.

Maids battled superbly into the elements for the opening 10-minute spell. Bracknell hardly saw the ball as the forwards rucked over at the breakdowns and mauled with vigour. Given the conditions, Maidenhead played sensible rugby, keeping ball to hand and doing the basics well. Within five minutes, Thomas Simpson had smashed his way through a succession of tackles to put Maidenhead in the driving seat.

Bracknell rallied and hit back, matching Maids' forwards in the mauls and kicking intelligently with the wind. Taking advantage of an overlap on the wing they replied with a converted try and following a strong forwards move extended their lead at the turnaround to 5.14.

Maidenhead kicked off the second half determined not to let another game slip away from them. Bracknell were forced to defend close to their line for long periods, which they did with real passion. But Maidenhead gradually wore the visitors down, probing for weaknesses. A number of promising attacks faltered in the final phase. But the boys pulled themselves right back into the game after one of many line-outs deep in Bracknell territory. Good pressure from the forwards, with Rory Creffield and James Parrot hitting Bracknell's defence with penetrating runs took Maids close to the line. From the breakdown, Charlie Wickham-Smith found the gap and scored. And from a wide angle James Parrott confidently landed the conversion.

It was all Maids now as Bracknell defended resolutely. TJ Hudson and Ollie Evans were typically tenacious, with James Wilson and Morgan Davies providing good support. In the forwards, Alex Jones, Paul Sweeney and Rory Creffield worked well and big Mike James and Ben Malone made valuable contributions. Josh Turvey and Connor Murphy in the front row were solid. Michael Habgood as usual terrorised the visitor's defence with his pace.

Paul Sayers freed Elliott Reid on the left wing for Maids’ third try. And from an even wider position, James Parrott sent the conversion sailing between the posts. It wasn't all over though, and Bracknell kept fighting hard. The forwards might even have scored a vital fourth try and earned a bonus point with better co-ordination on the opposition's try line.

Such a strongly committed team performance was just the tonic the boys needed and was a great way to end a tough Berkshire league season. All eyes are now on the tour to Italy.