U16s bring Amersham & Chiltern down to earth

Amersham & Chiltern U16s 0 v Maidenhead U16As 17

Sunday 13th December 2009

Three tries to nil for the second week in a row

Atop the lofty peaks of the majestic Chiltern Hills, a towering 168m above mean sea level, visitors to Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club are very likely to become more sceptical about the notion of global warming.; (Curiously, the club used to be even higher, but each visitor from lower altitudes takes home a kilogram or so of good Buckinghamshire clay, so in only a few years' time it will actually be downhill from Braywick). Luckily the human welcome is warmer and less clingy than the climatic and underfoot one.

Maidenhead were asked to kickoff even further up the hill and into the teeth of the strong cold wind. Flanker Ed Kaye smashed into the defender as he caught the hanging ball and that set the tone of the visitors' commitment all match. There was lots of audible mutual support and encouragement and spectators could tell that the team were well up for it. Sure enough after only 4 minutes, Kaye picked a ball from the base of a ruck and raced away down an unattended blindside to open the scoring with a soft try. Fraser Brooks could not convert into the gale.

Chilts came back, kicking intelligently down the wind and slope and pressing Maids back into their 22 for extended periods. The home side could not finish their chances, however, and were driven back by strong defence. It is always difficult to clear into a breeze so Maids seldom broke out of their own half, but A&C just could not execute the required skills under pressure and errors forced and unforced marred their efforts.

As so often when a period of possession and territory is not translated into points, the other team punishes you. So it was with the try of the match. Quick ball from a scrum on the Maids' 22 went right to Smith. His strong run and inside offload to Andrews-Jones saw DAJ speed through until well tackled at the home 10m. Louis Basson passed quick ruck ball right again. This time Smith dummied the chip and popped a crash pass to Brooks who sliced through, drew the last man and found Michael Anderson clear on the right wing. Exactly the sort of ambitious running rugby which has been the Maids' hallmark this season and which will always make them dangerous opponents.

Back came Chilts again, kicking for position, securing the ball, but being cut down or stifled by defenders, and still failing to get their decisions and execution right. But back came Maids as well; powerful and elusive running from Eckles, Smith, Andrews-Jones, Avery and Olivier driving the team upfield until Brooks was panellised for hanging on just 5 metres short as a third try was looking likely. A ten point lead after a half into the wind and up the hill was at least satisfactory.

Straight after the break Maidenhead scored the last points of the game. A Smith chip through landed awkwardly and nutmegged the home fullback, who was certainly distracted by a good chase up in his face. Lead chaser Andrews-Jones hacked on to fall on the ball in-goal. Brooks converted neatly.

Chilts did not wilt; they pressed and drove and started to put phases together and gain ground. Maids' discipline started to suffer, some disagreement with official interpretation spilling over into verbal protest; pointless and punished. When they did win a penalty in their own 22, the decision to call a scrum rather than clear long to touch looked inexplicable until quick ball, hard running and good hands all but saw Olivier over in the far left corner. This Maids' side just backs their talent to go from anywhere.

The rest of the game was a little disjointed, with penalties spoiling the earlier rhythm. Trevena went close to scoring from a lineout move and then a furious driving assault was held up short. Amersham & Chiltern also sniped and threatened through their halfbacks and fast fullback. Once they got to within a couple of metres and won a penalty right in front but tremendous aggressive defending drove them right back past the 22.

Lock forwards Baxter and Trevena had great games in the engine room, but what really stood out for Maidenhead was the bold running in the backs. Smith and Brooks shared first receiver duties and both ran, kicked and distributed almost faultlessly. Outside them Andrews-Jones, Olivier, Anderson, Eckles and briefly Surya showed strength, pace and skill in attack and were rock solid in defence.

Maidenhead U16As are ready for the league season. It's a clear downhill run from here, obviously. Everywhere is.

Squad: Hull, O'Flaherty, Avery, Tolan, Hine, Baxter, Trevena, Kaye, Balfour, Scolari, McCulloch, Basson, Thomas, Brooks, Smith (capt.), Andrews-Jones, Olivier, Surya, Anderson, Eckles