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U15s slip away from Abbey 26th April 2009 Abbey
U15s 7 v Maidenhead U15s 26 |
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After Maidenhead U15s scored the first of their four tries here, the referee inspected Leo Smith’s knees in response to home players’ complaints that they could not tackle him because he had too much Vaseline on his legs. All part of the day’s work for the amateur rugby official, I suppose. Your reporter heard much criticism of the referee from both sets of supporters but personally felt that he did a reasonable job in a febrile atmosphere, given the complication that his own son was playing for Abbey on the day! It is all too easy to get lost in the moment and forget that this is a volunteer trying to do a job few parents would want. Maids almost scored with their first move of the match, a pass arriving just too low for Michael Anderson on the right wing. They almost scored with their second as well, Sam Maguire racing down the left and just being tagged by the last covering player. Abbey gave notice that they were not going to allow the champions an easy day, however, two long clearance kicks bouncing infield from close to each touchline causing temporary chaos and forcing Maids to scramble away. Play see-sawed up and down the sloping pitch until, after 13 minutes of stalemate, a Maidenhead tap penalty was moved quickly to the left and Smith straightened through a narrow gap, made 20 metres, drew the last man and put Eckles into the corner. This was a try of gas and guts, nothing to do with petroleum jelly. Maguire converted precisely. Abbey were by no means finished and now had their best period of the game. Their forwards put phases together and their backs began to threaten too. Their try came from a lineout set move, front jumper catch and pass to thrower, seemingly racing towards the open side but switch-passing to a flanker at pace around the front of the line. Michael Anderson made the crucial tackle but could not prevent an offload to the big No.4 following up in support. That try was converted too and the Abbey crowd were loud and proud in their support for their side. The Abbey players perhaps got caught up in the mood because their defence was a shambles for the next score, Louis Basson picking up from the base of a centre-field ruck 40 metres out and running left untouched to the line while the Abbey defenders, lined up to the right, looked daggers at each other and their coaches were shouting and fuming. Maguire added the extras. Just before half time came the pick of the scores. Abbey had Maids pinned down with lineouts and scrums in the Maids 22 for several minutes. The ball came out scrappily from a scrum 7 metres out, but flanker Dominik Bart tidied up and proceeded to run almost the length of the field before passing to Fred Reid who offloaded unselfishly for captain Alex Avery to touch down just by the Abbey posts. The sort of lung-busting effort that Maids forwards have shown all season. Maguire converted again to make it 21-7 at the break. The second half was shapeless for around 8 minutes, both sides kicking away good possession and Maids in particular looking to have lost their concentration. Stirring themselves, Maids shut Abbey out with another try moments later. Alex McCulloch ran strongly into the heart of the 22, scattering tacklers in his wake, found Smith in support who passed on to Markus Olivier with just one man to beat. No contest. Bart dragged the kick a little left. 26 – 7. The Abbey crowd by this time were at fever pitch, raucous and partisan. Their players were certainly lifted by the support, pressing for a consolation try to the end, but the Maids defence denied them stoutly. Maids defended their League title with another 100% record and, for what little it is worth, with more bonus points than anyone else. Next year’s U16 league format is still undecided but this group of players can look forward to any competition with great pride and confidence. Squad: |