U14s lay last year's ghosts at Windsor

Berkshire League
Windsor U14s 12 Maidenhead U14s 14

Sunday 18th January 2009

As expected the Windsor team was equally well prepared for this game and from the opening minute to the final whistle all of the players from both sides gave 100% in what was a fantastic contest played with absolute commitment and discipline.

Maidenhead took early territorial advantage but failed to convert this into points. On the five minute mark Windsor counter attacked and scored a well worked try down the wing, but failed to convert for the extra two points. This score galvanised the Maidenhead players with the forwards winning good set piece possession and competing well in the loose. The Maidenhead back line attacked repeatedly from depth and ultimately the pace and width they put on the ball exposed gaps in the Windsor defence resulting in the outstanding inside centre Ollie Wilson scoring in the corner after 23 minutes. Colin Kerins took the hugely difficult conversion from the touchline and despite kicking into the wind, slotted the ball between the posts for what would turn out to be a critical kick.

The half closed with Maidenhead leading 7 - 5.

Maidenhead started the second half the stronger team, instantly putting Windsor under pressure from a string of well worked attacks. Maidenhead won a sequence of penalties as the Windsor defence strayed offside in an attempt to slow the onslaught. Kerins quick tap caught Windsor off guard and he made an incisive break to be tacked just short of the line. Maidenhead forwards went to work to secure the ball and loose head prop Cam Avery picked up and drove over the line from short range to score under the posts. Kerins made sure of the extra points with another well struck conversion.

Maidenhead enjoyed a 10 minute period of controlled possession and looked likely to score again, but defiant Windsor defence kept them out. Then Windsor worked themselves back into the game and managed to secure good quality possession and field position. They camped within Maidenhead's 22m line and heaped on the pressure causing Maidenhead to give away a number of penalties. The pressure told with a missed tackle and one of the big Windsor forwards crashed over the line to score. The conversion was successful to make the score 14 - 12 to Maidenhead with five minutes remaining.

Maidenhead challenged well at the restart with Captain Matt Balmer chasing the kick and putting in a big hit on the catcher allowing his forwards to re gather the ball. The Maidenhead pack continued to work hard securing good possession and sensible decision making from the half backs kept Windsor pinned down in their own 22m area. Windsor tried valiantly to break out but Maidenhead played with huge composure and maturity to keep Windsor locked down deep in their own half until the referee blew the final whistle. Maidenhead Man of the Match was scrum half Jack Hill, who had an excellent game marshalling his forwards and providing quick, crisp delivery all day from the back of the scrum. This was an excellent match between two superb teams but in the end Maidenhead thoroughly deserved to win this close fought local derby.

Team: Kerins, O'Keeffe, Wright, Wilson, Repetto, Garius, Hill, Avery, McGregor, Dutton, Fishwick, Kennedy, Pomroy, Balmer (c), Bateson. Replacements: Piper, Horn.

Windsor B 17 Maidenhead Rangers 15
This was a classic game of two halves. Rangers took the lead through Michael Corio who found himself on the left wing, cut inside the full back and scored a good team try. Windsor then dominated the rest of the first half running in three tries to give the home side a 17-5 lead at the break.

Maidenhead came out in the second half a different side spending much of it in Windsor territory. Adam Piper and Ashley Scott reduced the deficit but failure with all three conversions saw Windsor scrape home 17-15 in a very entertaining and well fought match.

Man of the match was Michael Corio

Squad: Kiddell, Matthews, Matera, Harris, Scott, Saunders, Egan, Preston, Bourne, Hoxley, Horn, Corio, Pillai, Hickey, Martin (capt), Medcraft, Gagnon, Brockwell, O'Keeffe, Piper.

John Wanklyn
U14 A team coach