U13s' tour to Dorset

5th April 2009

U13s recently visited North Dorset Rugby Club and played both the home side North Dorset and also Swanage in a friendly.

Maids had a slow start, conceding a try from North Dorset's outside centre who showed a considerable turn of speed. Maidenhead's forwards began to win better ball and prop Jodie Dance made the most of an attacking scrum on the Dorset 22 yard line to push through their defence and ground the first Maidenhead try. Both sides played flowing rugby but appeared to equally good at stopping runners and defended well. The half time score was 5-5.

Fly half Lee Neale opened the account in the second half, weaving his way through the Dorset backs to touch down and convert. The North Dorset outside centre replied to Maids, scoring on the opposite wing this time and getting the better of the Maidenhead left winger defensive cover. Maidenhead tightened their defence but were unable to breakout through the North Dorset's line. The final score was 12-12.

In the next game against Swanage U13s, second row Rheese Rolle used his power and weight to drive through several tackles to touch down. James O'Connor working hard in the number eight position found a hole in the Swanage forwards who were defending against him and was rewarded with try. Prop George Kingsley took the message that Swanage were not stopping the Maidenhead forwards and following a scrum on the Swanage 5 metre line and ran the try over the line. Half time score Maidenhead 19 Swanage 0.

The second half opened with another try by the prolific James O'Connor. Winger Ben Rakkar Thomas received the ball and weaved through the Swanage defence to touchdown. With conversions kicked by Lee Neale, the final score was Maidenhead 33, Swanage 0.