Maids back to winning ways?

Saturday 10th October 2009

Note the question mark at the end of the headline. Although Maidenhead played very well it seemed that High Wycombe were very weak, after all they were bottom of the league going into this game. But having said that, in the immortal words of Frank Bruno, "you can only beat what's in front of you, Harry", a surprisingly insightful comment from a boxer. The first few minutes were very scrappy and it seemed as though the Maidenhead forwards were in for a tough afternoon particularly at the set scrums, but then out of the blue a simple backs' move put Lester Martin over in the corner. The next try came soon afterwards when great running, from well in their own half, saw St. John Ford and Anthony"Ginge" Lane put Karl Kempton in the clear. He duly dotted down in the corner after showing a surprising turn of speed for a second row forward. Neither of these tries were converted so after about 15 minutes Maidenhead were 10 - 0 up.

The next 15 minutes showed High Wycombe putting pressure on Maidenhead until Alex Menard kicked ahead beautifully for Lester Martin to dive on the ball over the line. The game then became very disjointed and with the High Wycombe mid-field defence looking very fragile Dave White ran through what seemed like the whole High Wycombe team before kicking ahead and gathering under the posts for the fourth try which was converted by Alex Menard.

High Wycombe then had a period of pressure that yielded a try from a funny little kick ahead by the fly half that seemed to hit a couple of players on its way and the drop right into his arms. As there were no replay facilities this might not have been exactly what happened.

Half time came with Maidenhead 22 - 7 in the lead and the only area where High Wycombe looked like competing was in the set scrums.

The second half continued in much the same vein. A good catch and drive from a line-out saw Ed Poulding dance through to score under the posts. He scored again after a sustained period of pressure which was resisted only by High Wycombe's strength at the set scrum.

Now, halfway through the second half, saw the return of Slade Kleynhans putting in a rare guest appearance, which added a lot of go forward power to the back row.

By now the High Wycombe defence was all at sea and a straight forward backs move saw Bale Nasili go over in the corner, Ed Poulding score again after Slade Kleynhans picked up from the base of a scrum and the rest of the forwards carried it on. Again Slade Kleynhans made a bullocking run, the ball was passed through hands for Karl Kempton to score under the posts.

With the score now 55 - 7 to Maidenhead the game concluded with a period of High Wycombe pressure that was only repulsed by solid defence by Maidenhead.

All in all a competent display by Maidenhead but you have to wonder at the strength of the opposition.

Man of the Match : Ed Poulding