U13s win thrilling league match against Newbury

Maidenhead U13A 26 v Newbury U13A 22
Berkshire Youth League

Maidenhead U13B 0 v Newbury U13B 5

Sunday 19th April 2009

Maidenhead's U13s played an A team league match and a separate B team friendly against their opposite numbers in Newbury RFC U13 squad on Sunday at MRFC's Braywick ground.

The A team playing their final league match of the season played in a nail-biting match which saw them lead but have Newbury come back strongly twice. Ben winger Rakkar Thomas opened the account for Maidenhead early in the game touching down after an impressive work by the back line fed the ball to the winger as he hit his top speed. An early score settled Maidenhead who dealt with possession by Newbury by tacking aggressively in the bright spring sunshine. Maids moved up the field after a long kick from Lee Neale went into touch. From the throw-in, Maids' forwards won the ball, dominating the line-out with replacement Michael McPherson. Quick ball with the backs let centre Tom Starman hand off the Newbury fullback to score a second Maids' try. Lee Neale converted, the half time score was Maidenhead 12, Newbury 0.

Newbury opened with more determination, taking the ball into the Maidenhead half and keeping possession through many phases. Eventually the Newbury winger found a clear path in front of him and ran over the line, grounding under the posts. Maidenhead immediately retaliated, moving the ball up to the Newbury 5 metre after a long run by Tom Starman. Three rucks followed, prop Jodie Dance driving over the line from the platform provided by his colleagues in the Maidenhead pack. Lee Neale converted. Newbury responded by capitalising on a poor pass, intercepting the ball and immediately running half a pitch to score a try. Maidenhead again took possession and territory from Newbury, winning a scrum which provided Tom Starman with another invitation to score, again converted by Lee Neale. In the final seconds of the match Newbury won a penalty kick which gave a final result of Maidenhead 'A' 26, Newbury 'A' 22. Under league rules Maids obtained maximum points, tying for first place with Windsor. Windsor however win this year because of better overall points difference. A thrilling finish to the season.

Maidenhead's team was Forwards: Jodie Dance, Hamish Rosser, George Kealey, Callum Burston, Rheese Rolle Raman Sehorta, James O'Connor, Owen Langstone. Scrum half was Peter Watt, fly half was Lee Neale. Back line were Tom Redican, Tom Starman, Ben Rakkar Thomas and Aaron Whetton. Subs were Chris Hudson, Michael McPherson, Patrick Bart, Charlie Thomas, Jordan Flynn, Harry Arnold.

In Maidenhead's B match friendly against Newbury Bs, a similar fast and furious pace was in evidence from both sides. While the whole Maidenhead team worked hard, with Maids' forwards arriving promptly for every ruck and maul, centre Tom Hawkridge showed outstanding pace and fullback Jordan Wedderpoel showed no respect for size by stopping the heaviest players with thumping tackles.

It took until the final moments of this match for Newbury to make the only score, a try following a long period camped on the Maidenhead 5 metre line. The final score was Maidenhead 'B' 0, Newbury 'B' 5.