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U14s beat Windsor and are Berks champions Maidenhead
U14 21
v Windsor
U14 12
Sunday 21st March 2010 |
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Maidenhead U14 were hosts at Braywick to a league side from Windsor RFC on the weekend in pleasant weather conditions of sunshine. This was a crucial match for both teams. The result would determine which of these two teams would be crowned Berkshire League Division 1 champions. Maidenhead started strongly, applying pressure early, and enjoying the majority of the territorial possession until an underarm offload from the Maidenhead centre was intercepted by the very fast Windsor winger known as 'KK'. KK sprinted half the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts which was duly converted. KK almost repeated the feat a few minutes later evading the centres a second time before being driven into touch by alert flanker James O'Connor. The quality of the Maidenhead rucking and impressive defensive work by the forwards and backs caused Windsor to commit numerous errors, resulting in Maidenhead securing possession through the scrums. Maids continued to pile the pressure on during the rest of the first half but were thwarted at critical times near the Windsor line by infringements allowing the opposition to clear their lines. First Half Score:- Maidenhead 0 Windsor 7 At the beginning of the second half Maidenhead lost a second try through a very well worked move between the Windsor forwards. However, one of the features of the Maidenhead team this year has been the refusal to know when they are beaten &, crucially, Maidenhead retained their composure and shape. Within a few minutes, Maidenhead replied with a series of driving rucks that culminated in Rhys Rolle forcing the ball over the Windsor line for a try, duly converted by Lee Neale. Maidenhead knew that they had the momentum, strength & stamina to gain the upper hand. Within 5 minutes, sustained Maidenhead pressure resulted in prop, Jody Dance, receiving a ball out of a turned over ruck: taking a tremendous running line to cut through the Windsor backs, he powered over the try line. Another conversion by Lee Neale saw Maidenhead take the lead with a score of 14-12. With 10 minutes to go, Windsor threw everything they had a Maidenhead but, instead of relying on a defensive strategy, Maidenhead went on the attack and a wonderful display of handling through the backline delivered the ball to Jacob Farrel who saw a gap in the Windsor defence and sprinted to place the ball under the posts. The successful conversion widened the Maidenhead margin to 9 points and, with only a few minutes left, the game was all but won. This was a game that required the Maidenhead forwards and backs to perform at their maximum potential and, without exception, every player delivered to secure a tremendously coordinated team performance. The final whistle was met by delighted celebrations from the Maidenhead players and supporters but tempered with appreciation and respect for a Windsor team who had played valiantly. It was pleasing that such a big match was played intensely, yet with good sportsmanship evident on both sides. Final score:- Maidenhead 21 Windsor 12 This was the deciding match of the Berkshire RFU U14 Division 1. Maidenhead U14 A are now league champions. Maidenhead A were:- George Kingsley, Rhys Rolle, Jody Dance, Michael White, Hamish Rosser, Owen Langstone, Ben Rakker Thomas, Lee Neale, Jacob Farrel , Tom Redican, Matt Price, Peter Watt, Lewis Chew, James O'Connor, Callum Burston, Harry Arnold. |
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