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U17s still top despite first defeat Maidenhead U17s 7 v Aylesbury U17s 11 |
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With their front row missing due to remembrance services and the regular crop of injuries, this was always going to be a test for Maids. Although Aylesbury had lost their first league game, they have subsequently rebuilt the team with senior players from a number of struggling clubs in their area, meaning that they enjoyed size and quality throughout the side However, Maids more than matched them and throughout the game were only frustrated by consistent killing of the ball at the breakdown, stopping Maids' superior backs having quality attacking ball Aylesbury went 6pts ahead with two penalties in the first half. Although territory against the wind was very much in Maidenhead's favour. In the second half a long kick by Aylesbury gave Maids a lineout on their own 22 which they won but decided to run instead of clearing with the wind (something I had spent all Saturday watching and swearing at), giving Aylesbury position two phases later for their 10 to break through and make it 11-0. (I rest my case sir) Maids' pressure finally told with about 15 minutes to go with a try under the posts and a conversion to put them within 4pts. With possession in the 22 all too often being driven tight rather than spread wide, Maids' opportunities were wasted and their first defeat of the season confirmed, even though a late try seemed on the cards only for the corner flag to deny them As the score suggests, this game could have gone either way and the result was in the balance until the final whistle. With a bonus point gained, the title race looks like it could go all the way to the end of the season - bring it on |