U10s dispatch Beaconsfield in the mud

Sunday 25th January 2009

Maidenhead's U10s continued their very successful 2008/09 season with a number of powerful displays against some well-drilled Beaconsfield sides.

Beaconsfield have also had a good first half to the season, winning the Amersham & Chiltern Festival back in October, and it was clear that they fancied their chances of getting one over their Maidenhead rivals. However, they were in for a rude awakening as Maidenhead's A team weren't about to give up their 10-match unbeaten run without a fight!

The success enjoyed by Maidenhead and Beaconsfield in this age-group over the last few seasons has seen an influx of players and both clubs were able to field three quality teams on Sunday.

In the first match, Maidenhead's A team took on Beaconsfield's best side and quickly got into their stride. In the first half, despite dreadful weather conditions and a very soft pitch, Maids passed the ball well and put the opposition under great pressure. This pressure eventually told when Beaconsfield's scrum-half was forced into a wild pass which Jake Jenkins pounced on in the in-goal area for Maids' first try. Some great handling skills and offloading saw Maids' backline generate another two scores for Jenkins to finish off before half-time. The home team then took their foot off the gas and allowed their rivals back into the game. Beaconsfield touched down just before half-time and then a couple of missed tackles soon after the break saw Beaconsfield pull to within one score. Maids gritted their teeth and dug in deep, and emerged from a hard fought battle as worthy 15-10 winners.

Their next game saw them pitched against Beaconsfield's B team and, after a slow start, Maids stepped up the pace in the 2^nd half with Alex Sutton, Jake Jenkins and Harry Wells all touching down. The U10 As have now played 24 matches this season, winning 18, drawing 5 and losing only 1, scoring 77 tries in the process! a record to rival even the mighty 1^st XV?!

U10 As: Payne, Meadows, Lawrie, Sutton, Wells, Jenkins, Adamcsik, McCaffrey & McGregor

The U10s' B team were equally impressive this weekend, rising to the occasion in two tough encounters against Beaconsfield. The Bs have developed a great team spirit this season and now have quality in all departments. They took on Beaconsfield's B team in the first game and ran out on the right side of a 10-5 scoreline. They showed great tenacity up front, often driving the opposition off the ball, and searing pace in the backs. James Banks scored the first try after some great teamwork, but it was the second try which really got the crowd going!..Tom 'Moose' Green made a fantastic break from deep in his own half and ran three-quarters of the length of the pitch. He was scragged just short of the line, but all the coaches were delighted to see how he was able to turn to find two of his team-mates in close support, right on his shoulder. David Smith was the lucky one to receive the off-load and waltzed over the line, unchallenged, to score the winning try.

In their second game, the Bs took on Beaconsfield's A team and nearly pulled off a huge shock. They put in a huge amount of effort but, despite creating a few good chances, couldn't get over the opposition line and were made to pay for just one lapse in concentration which allowed Beaconsfield the only score of the game.

U10 Bs: Gregory, Smith, Holden, Peberdy, Banks, Green, Webster, Maclean & Rushton

Maidenhead's C team, many of whom are enjoying their first season of rugby, also put in a good performance, but finished on the wrong end of a couple of tight scorelines against Beaconsfield's C team. They can hold their heads up, though, as the commitment they showed, and the spirited tackles that they put in, were worthy of a better outcome.

U10 Cs: Goyle, Hill, De la Fuente, Sanders, Curran, Hickey, Moreland, Cowland & Thompson