Maids lose out in game of two halves!

Saturday 5th December 2009

Maidenhead lose out in game of two halves!

Marlow won the first half 22 points to 10, but Maidenhead won the second half by 7 points to 0. Not enough to win but for the last 10 minutes it looked as though they might well get the seven points needed.

Marlow's first score came from a quick ruck ball in the first few minutes which was sent down the line for a try in the corner. The conversion made it 7 - 0 and was quickly followed by a penalty making it 10 - 0. Maidenhead then missed two kickable penalties and the next score about 15 minutes later went again to Marlow when a mix up in the Maidenhead line-out (on their own throw) gifted Marlow another converted try.

At 17 - 0 down after 30 minutes or so, Maidenhead were looking at a heavy defeat but this team doesn't roll over that easily and the next score although a bit fortunate was the result of good Maidenhead pressure when Rob Wilkins compensated for his earlier penalty misses by taking a high ball and feeding Rich Parsley who went over in the corner.

Marlow responded almost immediately with a very simple backs' try in the corner to make it 22 - 5 and then right at the end of the half an excellent forwards' try after a series of pick and drives saw Dave Hunston go over in the corner to make it 22 - 10 to Marlow at half time.

The second half was almost completely different with nearly all the play in the Marlow half and when after 25 minutes Rob Wilkins went over in the corner for a well deserved try (well deserved by the team, that is!) it seemed as though Maidenhead might sneak a win. But, it wasn't to be, and the final score was 22 - 17 to Marlow.

Given that Marlow were second in the league a couple of places above Maidenhead at the start of the match and that Maidenhead were considerably weakened due to a number of absences it was a very creditable performance.