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Maidenhead
U15s scored a total of 88 unanswered points against their opposition
in dreadful conditions at Redingensians on Sunday. The Berkshire League
game may have been the headline fixture but the highlights came in
resounding wins for the non-League squad playing matches against Redingensians
Bs and Newbury Bs, demonstrating Maids strength in depth at this age
group.
BERKSHIRE
YOUTH LEAGUE: Redingensians U15: 0 – 10 : Maidenhead U15
Maidenhead moved to the top of the Berkshire Under 15 League
when they defeated former table toppers Redingensians at Sonning on
Sunday. In atrocious conditions and on a pitch resembling a quagmire,
Maidenhead dominated both territory and possession but were unable
to turn their superiority into points in a disjointed penalty-strewn
affair. Defying the conditions both sides attempted to play some running
rugby and, indeed, displayed remarkable handling skills with Maidenhead's
opening try surely worthy of a balmier climate. Two fine forward drives
led by the ever prominent Alex Avery and dynamic hooker Nic Jones,
supported by the 2nd row engine room of Seb Coric and Fred Reid resulted
in quick ball and a passing move through the backs culminating in
speedy winger Michael Anderson crossing the line. Maids’ second try,
however, certainly owed something to the conditions when full back
Sam Maguire, whose silky running and exemplary handling shone like
a beacon through the gloom, followed up his own relieving kick when
it was fumbled by the opposition and then outpaced the home defence
to score. The Maidenhead momentum was halted by worsening pitch conditions
and incessant interventions by the referee and despite a couple of
fine opportunities they were unable to add to the score, though their
magnificent defence kept out a physical home team whose effort and
workrate never dropped. Maidenhead are now the only unbeaten side
in the League and entertain Reading in their next League fixture in
a fortnight’s time.
Redingensians
U15 B: 0 – 58 : Maidenhead U15 Bulls
As the scoreline suggests this was a one-sided game with an unstoppable
wave of try after try with Iain Whiteford, Niall Collins, Simon Crosbie,
Fraser Brooks(2), Tim Cronbach, Callum Hull, Dhruv Surya and Daniel
Shipton(2) all getting on the score sheet (with a rising sense of
panic from both Fraser and Daniel's fathers seeing a large round coming
their way in the bar every time their sons got the ball anywhere near
the try line!). Iain Whiteford once again demonstrated real skill
in kicking his four conversions.
Newbury
U15 B: 0 – 20 : Maidenhead U15 Bulls
Newbury had their own win over Readingensians by now and were
really up for it. After a tense early period Maidenhead gradually
edged in front with a try by Dhruv Surya after an extremely unselfish
phase of play by his team mates. As tempers rose in the Newbury team
so did the height of the tackling, but the Maidenhead squad kept their
cool and let the score sheet do the talking with three further tries
from Alex McCulloch to make it a comfortable win. Great Rugby boys!
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