Saturday 21st January

Maidenhead Ladies produced a remarkable display to beat Hackney 26-14 on Saturday.

Having been defeated narrowly in the away fixture, Maids were desperate to reverse the loss.

In a bruising encounter, they started brightly, scoring the opening try midway through the first half. Excellent defence put pressure on the Hackney backline, and Ingrid Anguilar sped down the wing to take the lead.

Playing with a strong wind, Jade O'Neill kept Hackney pinned in their own half with some intelligent kicking out of hand. This gave Maids the platform to pressurise the away side.

Kirsty Grigg made some dynamic runs before succumbing to a knee injury, and Paula Otto was impressive on the flank.

Centre Miguela Kerins then ran in a fine try from 40 metres out, with O'Neill converting for a 12-0 lead.

Shortly after half time, Hackney scored a deserved try from their skilful fly half, which was converted. Now only 12-7 up, Maids were under the cosh.

Ingrid Aguilar then scored a superb individual try on her wing, with O'Neill again adding the extras. Aguilar then bagged her hat-trick score with another solo effort. O'Neill converted once more.

Hackney never gave up and in fact were the stronger side in the latter stages. They clawed one try back from a close pick and drive through their heavier pack, and at 26-14 Maids were desperate not to concede anything further.

An incredible defensive effort - most notably in the forwards - somehow held out, and Hackney were denied.

Maids won a momentous battle, and move up to second place in London West 3.