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U16s' winning start to 2010 Berkshire league campaign Reading
Abbey U16s 5 v Maidenhead U16s 19 Sunday 7th February 2010 |
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Maidenhead U16 Despite an inevitable lack of cohesion caused by a lack of play since 13th December coupled with the disruption of losing 3 of the regular fly halves in the squad to injury, this was a robustly contested but ultimately comfortable win for the current Berkshire champions at this age group. A game plan had been created taking into account Abbey’s large pack and 6 foot 8 line out jumper, and when the plan was followed, it paid dividends. Mike Trevena and Mike Winter were very impressive at the breakdown securing possession and the opening score came when quick ball reached the backs and Daniel Andrews-Jones hit the line from depth at full pace to burst through and score, Dominik Bart adding the extras. Early expectations that Maids would go on and replicate this approach were unfounded, though, as the game degenerated into some aerial ping pong for a while (watching too much premiership rugby on TV perhaps?) before the visitors finally worked their way back up the hill into Abbey’s 22 and won a penalty. Quick ruck ball then went through the hands of stand-in stand-off Leo Smith, forwards Seb Coric and Alex McCulloch, to centre Andrews-Jones who fed Michael Anderson on the wing to score. Once again quick ball and good passing had brought a score and Dom Bart added the difficult conversion from the touchline to give a 14 point lead. This stung Abbey into action and through their pack and their large inside-centre (formerly a prop!) they launched several attacks deep into the Maidenhead half, but the Maids' resistance held firm with the front row of Alex Avery, Nic Jones and Mark Hine resolute in defence and Daniel Andrews-Jones setting the tone smashing his opposite number to produce one turnover. Laurence MacSwan bore the brunt of the attacks from the big Number 12 opposite him and time after time he snuffed them out. One tremendous Maids' counterattack from their own 22 saw what seemed to be a certain try for Leo Smith disallowed so the margin at half time remained at 14 points. The game dropped a level after half time with more kicking on both sides leaving players and spectators frustrated and leading to a few fractious penalties on both sides. From one such Abbey caught Maids napping for once, moved the ball down the line to their winger and despite a legitimate claim that he was clearly in touch before touching down the try was awarded, though the conversion was missed. 5 – 14. That was as good as things got for Abbey. Maids brought on fresh legs from the bench and headed straight for the opposition 22. After a series of drives Shiv Khindria popped the ball up for Seb Coric coming through on his inside shoulder at pace and the number 8 smashed over to score. 5 – 19. It seemed certain that a further (bonus point) try would follow as chance after chance presented itself, but excellent defence from Abbey and a failure by Maids to get the alignment and passing in the backs gelling as it sometimes had meant that for all the territory and possession the scoreline stayed as it was. All in all it was a good win after an 8 week break imposed by the weather, but leaves the squad in no doubt there are areas for improvement. Squad: Avery (capt), Jones, Hine, Trevena, McCulloch, Bart, Winter, Coric, Basson, Smith, Olivier, MacSwan, Andrews-Jones, Anderson, Eckles, Balfour, O’Flaherty, Tolan, Whiteford, Kaye, Thomas, Khindria |