U13As crush opposition to complete quick-fire Berkshire double

Sunday 9th October 2011

Maidenhead U13 As continued where they left off last previous week to dispatch all-comers and raise the trophy at the annual Maidenhead Youth Rugby Tournament. They put visiting teams from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire to the sword to collect their 2^nd trophy of the season, having won the Reading Festival seven days earlier.

Conditions weren't easy, as blustery winds tested Maids' handling skills to the full. However, the quality of their passing and the blistering pace they possess saw them run in 26 tries during their four matches, leaking only one touchdown in response.

Having beaten Henley, Farnham and Amersham & Chiltern comfortably in their first three matches, they came up against local rivals Bracknell in a 'winner takes all' clash at the end of the tournament. Bracknell had also won their opening three games, albeit less comfortably than their hosts, and they were pumped up to knock the Maids off their perch. Maids scored first through the elusive McCaffrey, before Bracknell's no.12 silenced the home crowd as he popped on the right wing to equalise the scores. However, this only served to strengthen Maids' resolve and they rallied with four further tries to put the match, and the tournament, beyond Bracknell's reach.

McCaffrey and his fellow winger, Condon, had been in devastating form all day, scoring 17 tries between them. But, it was flanker, Ben Ward, who stole the show with his fantastic tackling and rucking skills to land the coaches' Player of the Tournament award. Ward was a constant threat to the opposition half-backs, never allowing them time to settle and regularly securing turnover ball.

There were occasions when Maids lost a little concentration and lowered their intensity, and lessons need to be learned for when they come up against tougher opposition later in the season, but overall they put on a fantastic display to delight the home crowd. For the 2^nd season running they have secured two tournament victories before the end of October and there is much optimism for what lies ahead.

Scores

Maidenhead 48-0 Henley

Tries: Condon (5), Payne, Jenkins, McCaffrey

Conversions: Wells (4)

Maidenhead 47-0 Farnham

Tries: Currie, Condon (2), McCaffrey (2), Haederle, Jenkins

Conversions: Wells (6)

Maidenhead 38-0 Amersham & Chiltern

Tries: Condon (2), Jenkins, Currie, McCaffrey, Payne

Conversions: Wells (4)

Maidenhead 33-7 Bracknell

Tries: McCaffrey (3), Currie, Condon

Conversions: Wells (4)

Maidenhead U13 As: Moss, Jefferson, Henri, Payne, Currie, Ward, Haederle, McGregor, Sutton, Wells, Cook, Jenkins, Condon, McCaffrey, Adamcsik, Meadows, Green & Banks.

Final Table