U16Bs' heroic defensive performanace at Alton

Alton U16s 5 v Maidenhead U16Bs 17

Sunday 22nd November 2009

On paper Maids' under 16s had a large squad to choose from for the away fixture at Alton, but injury and travel issues meant that only 15 players were available at kick off time. Some late positional changes were needed with both hooker Dan Kier and second row Aran Dolan stepping up to the plate by filling in at scrum half and winger respectively. The warm up for both teams was a brief affair as a result of a heavy rain shower just before kick off but thankfully conditions improved considerably as the game got under way.

Maids won the toss and took advantage of the stiff breeze in the first half, using the wind well to pin back Alton deep into their own half with some well directed kicks by Shiv Khindria.  Good kick chase caused panic in the Alton defence as they failed to clear their lines but Maids were unable to find the final pass to score. Eventually a Maids' driving maul deep in the Alton 22 took the ball over the try line and needed only for the ball to be grounded. Up stepped Blake Nicol to rip the ball out and fall to the ground to score a deserved first try for the team. Like all good props devastating from zero yards!

Maids continued to press and a well worked line out move close to the Alton try line saw Jacob Sanders leap like a salmon to drop the ball into the hands of the onrushing Tim Cronbach peeling round the front of the line. His charge to the try line with the supporting drive of Calum O'Flaherty proved unstoppable as he crashed over to pick up the second try.

Maids continued to apply pressure, knowing that a good lead was needed at half time to provide a buffer for the inevitable Alton second half wind-assisted comeback. Quick ball from a midfield ruck was put through the backs' hands allowing wing Greg McHugh to take the ball at pace on a well angled run. Like all good wings he trusted his pace and finishing ability as he slashed through the Alton defence, throwing a couple of wrong footing sidesteps to open up the path to the line and secure Maids' third try of the half. Stand in goal kicker Sam McCarthy added the conversion to make the score 17 - 0 as half time approached.

Although Maids had established a healthy lead, Alton were playing some good rugby only to be let down by poor hands in difficult conditions with a greasy ball. Eventually the home team managed to get the ball down the back line allowing their pacy winger to outsprint the defence to bring them back into the match at half-time.

At half time Maids were able to reshuffle the team into a more recognisable XV. But as the second half started weather conditions deteriorated as the next heavy shower was blown in on a wind that seemed to approach hurricane force. Maids were playing directly into the teeth of this wind and wisely decided that the kicking game that reaped dividends in the first half would only bring trouble in the second.  Instead the ball was kept tight and inside centre Alex McCulloch came to the fore with a series of excellent and aggressive carries out of the 22 to relieve the pressure on the Maids' defence. However try as they might the visitors could not make any significant progress upfield and eventually found themselves pinned back on their own five metre line, forced to repel wave after wave of Alton forward and back drives. Brave and determined Maids' tackling ensured that Alton remained frustrated and pointless. An attitude encapsulated by one magnificent try saving tackle from Ben Solari.

As the weather conditions finally improved and the sun came out, the visitors managed to throw off the shackles and pushed Alton into their own half and were able to play out the remaining minutes from safe field position. As the final whistle blew all spectators applauded a great effort by both teams in terrible conditions and the Maids' lads could reflect on a heroic second half defensive performance. Final score Alton 5 - Maidenhead 17.

Maidenhead squad: Blake Nicol, Dan Kier, Calum O'Flaherty, Josh Edney, Bryn Evans, Tim Cronbach, Aran Dolan, Chris Dow, Ben Scolari, Jacob Sanders, Steve Carn, Shiv Khindria, Alex McCulloch, Niall Collins, Greg McHugh, James Hibberdine, Sam McCarthy.