U15s' clean sweep at Tournament

Sunday 9th October 2011

Maidenhead Under 15s set a club record for the age group by finishing first and runners up in the club's tournament, sealing an excellent start to the season.

Clearer winners were Maidenhead Lions, who conceded only a single try in four matches and put in a series of accomplished team performances. Their form bodes well for the season ahead. It was unfortunate that the final pitched Maidenhead Lions against players from the same squad, Maidenhead Tigers who nonetheless thoroughly deserved their runners-up trophy.

Playing on the first team pitch, in clear conditions but with a stiff breeze, Under 15 teams from all participating clubs played rugby to a very high standard and produced some thrilling games.

Maidenhead Lions 31, Slough 0

A quick try set the tone for Maidenhead Lions' tournament triumph as centre Jack Chapman burst through and off loaded to Will Brennan to touch down. Jack Chapman scored himself when the home side were awarded a penalty and opted to ship the all quickly down the line. Maidenhead's pack also played well, with good performance from Luke Jordan and Danny Morgan. Slough, a strong spirited team, restarted more strongly but their resistance was worn down with a brace of tries from winger Chris Harding, his second a beautifully worked move with text-book passing from the backs to draw their opponents. Jack Chapman ran in another try from the 22 metre line after more fine handling in the line.

Maidenhead Tigers 19, Drifters 0

Drifters gave Maidenhead Tigers a tougher game although the host side scored soon after the start: Michael Egan at scrum half brilliantly passed to the blind side from a ruck to send winger Henry Reeve over for a try. Drifters, with a tough pack, spend much of the half camped near Maidenhead's try line but went further behind when Mufaro Nyashanu, playing an outstanding game at fly half, hacked through a loose ball which Henry Reeve grub kicked again before it bobbed into his arms to score. After the restart Drifters again applied pressure but Maidenhead's defence held firm. The hosts extended their lead when Cezary Acpio on the wing collected a kick that failed to find touch, counterattacked at speed and fed to centre John Raiwale who crashed over to score.

Maidenhead Lions 33, Egham 0

Maidenhead Lions found their stride for their second game of the tournament, with Number 8 Luke Jordan scoring early on with a battering-ram style run from a ruck. Chris Harding scored a second after some skilful passing down the line. After the restart, Maids extended their lead with a superb try from full back Jake Hemming who was set up by an excellent run from Jack Chapman. Prop forward. Alex Nikolatos smashed his way through the opposition pack to touch down. From the kick off came the try of the match: centre Rhys Williams collected from the kick, waltzed past three tackles and linked up with the line. Jake Hemming collected on the opposition 22 metre line and cut inside to touch down between the posts.

Maidenhead Tigers 7, Ruislip 14

Ruislip proved too tough for Maidenhead Tigers in a close-fought match that could have gone either way. The hosts scored first as Cezary Acpio collected from a penalty that failed to find touch and ran diagonally towards the visitors' line; he was held two yards out but fought his way over to touch down. Maidenhead enjoyed more possession in the first half but weakened in the second, conceding a try run through the backs and then a second, after series of penalties awarded against then, run in from close range.

Maidenhead Lions 28, Newport 5

Newport looked fast and strong in their opening game but has lost their edge by their third match, falling behind quickly to a touchdown from Alex Nikolatos. Maidenhead scrum half Chris Coreo, who had an excellent tournament, scored a second after flanker Daniel Morgan caught a loose ball on the bounce. The visitors pulled one back with an excellent break-away try run in at fast pace but their respite was brief. Jack Chapman extended Maidenhead's lead after more slick passing from the backs, and Chris Harding added a fourth late on with a fine burst of speed.

Maidenhead Tigers 12, Wycombe 7

Another exciting, hard-fought match saw Maidenhead Tigers hold a slim lead under pressure from a strong Wycombe side. The hosts opened their account after Mufaro Nyashanu burst through, setting up Matt Bourne to score. Mufaro Nyashanu was involved in Maidenhead's second, too, passing to Cezary Acpio to score his third try of the tournament. Maidenhead's pack battled well, especially the tenacious flanker David James, but Wycombe rallied after the break, scoring once and testing the hosts' strength as they pressed for a second - but Maidenhead stood firm.

Final: Maidenhead Lions 47, Maidenhead Tigers 0

After some well-balanced qualifying games, the tournament's final was a mis-match with Maidenhead Lions rampant and Maidenhead Tigers tired and, perhaps, lacking in confidence. Maidenhead Lions ran in four tries in the first half, from Luke Jordan, Jack Chapman, Levi Meek and Liam Haines. Maidenhead Tigers started the second half better but soon saw the Lions' lead extended as Cameron Gray burst through to set up Alex Nikolatos to score. Will Brennan and Chris Gill added to the tally to produce a deserved victory.