Maid's U14s Romp to Berkshire League Title

Pride of place this week goes to the Under 14s who have taken their league by storm this year

Maidenhead U14s 40pts vs Reading Abbey U14s 0pts

Seven games, seven victories; 267 points for, 10 points against

Abbey were blown away in the Braywick sunshine on Sunday.  True, the big tall Abbey pack won the lineout comprehensively and held their own in the scrum but, once the ball started to move around, they had no answer to the dynamism and relentless energy of the Maidenhead forwards. 

It is fair to say that the home backline played their part as well, in attack and defence.  McSwan, Maguire and Andrews-Jones all broke the line repeatedly and Duncan Jones was in fine form with punishing positional kicking.  Basson and Thompson harried and sniped from half back and winger Eckles was always threatening.  Markus Olivier did not have much attacking ball to work with but made a number of telling tackles.  Leo Smith's distribution was typically precise and unselfish and his dummy calling could probably be heard at Abbey's HQ in Caversham Park Village.  Fraser Brooks was unlucky to have an offload knocked down when a try might have resulted.

For all this endeavour outside, the day belonged to the low numbered shirts.    Alex Avery opened the scoring with a trademark No8 pickup and surge after eight minutes.  Although the second try was well scored by Tom Eckles wide on the left, it was slick passing and strong running by Mike Trevena and Dominik Bart that made the chance for him.

Bart himself then scored the third try, touching down after a Jones kick wrong-footed the rushing defence.  The final act of the first half was a breathtaking break by Sam Balfour from near his own line up to the Abbey 10 metre mark.  Eventually held by three tacklers, he was still able to pop a pass to speedy lock Fred Reid whose pace was too much for the defenders.  26-0 at half time did not flatter the home side.

The fourth try was inevitably another Avery special from the base of a 5 metre scrum.  The score was wide on the left and the conversion looked near impossible against a brisk breeze.  Whatever.   Up stepped No6 Dom Bart to nail the extra two points and re-emphasise the Maidenhead forwards' lock on this game.  Kaye, Nicol, Jones, O'Flaherty and Bello did sterling work as well, and deserved the two live sheep and one pheasant thrown into their pit at the final whistle.  Keeping them hungry obviously works.

Finally with just a minute to go, Sam Balfour crowned his man-of-the-match display with a fine try, crashing through the Abbey midfield to score under the posts.  Maguire's conversion completed 40 unanswered points.

It has been a successful and satisfying county league campaign and U14 coaches and players should be very proud of their achievements.  Windsor (2nd this year) and Newbury (3rd) will come back strongly next season, and there is no room for complacency.  But there is probably room for some celebration.

Squad vs Abbey: Alex Avery (C), Blake Nicol, Calum O'Flaherty, Ed Kaye, Nic Jones, Tyler Bello, Fred Reid, Mike Trevena, Dominik Bart, Sam Balfour, Will Thompson, LD Basson, Duncan Jones, Fraser Brooks, Leo Smith, Laurence McSwan, Daniel Andrews-Jones, Markus Olivier, Thomas Eckles, Sam Maguire

2nds Master Unbeaten 'Ensians
Maidenhead 2nds 24pts vs Redingensians 13pts

With the visit of unbeaten Redingensians, Maidenhead 2nd put on quite a display of controlled rugby, indeed the 24-13 scoreline flattered Readingensians

Right from the kick-off Maidenhead put pressure on the 'Gensians try line. From a scrum Simon Swadling made one of his trade mark breaks and a deft unload to Simon Carter saw the Maidenhead scum-half sprint under the posts

With the elements in their favour it was important for Maidenhead to build up a lead that was protectable throughout the second half.  The Maidenhead scrum was a solid source of possession and Swadling and Carter used the elements with a master class in clever tactical kicking to turn and pin back the Readingensians team time and time again

Pressure nearly always turns into points and on three occasions Maidenhead got to within inches of scoring. Readingensians, unbeaten in the league this season, were struggling to cope with the running skills of Abrahams, Nash, Evans and Seth Munn however it was young flanker Will Page that finally touched down for a try his tremendous work rate deserved

With a couple of conversions and penalties the half time scoreline was 19-3. A scoreline that was defendable but not impregnable. The introduction of the experienced Jones (polite way of saying old - the ed) at half time to bolster the pack enabled Maidenhead to continue to contest at set piece and ruck and maul. Again Maidenhead created chances to score but were thwarted by good cover from Readingensians

Again it was the half backs from Maidenhead who were controlling the game and clever passing back inside to storming forwards from Swadling was cutting the opposition to shreds especially when Page was in receipt of the pass, twice he cut a line and timed his pass to supporting players only for the move to be halted within sight of the line

For a ten minute period the referee seemed to have a down on Maidenhead and after a succession of penalties and even a free kick for not straight at a scrum (remember those?) (not in your day Al!!? - the ed) led to the huge Readingensians prop crashed over from short range. Game on

With the result in the balance Maidenhead were able to up their game and after a number of phases the ball was moved swiftly down the line to the right wing who showed a clean pair of heels to his opponent to score what was to be the clinching score

Maidenhead are the first team to beat Readingensians this season and thoroughly deserved the win

Live Ferret Racing

Under 11's Ferret Race Evening

All Welcome

Time: 5pm
Where: Maidenhead Rugby Club
Cost: £10 per ticket (includes food)
To order tickets:
  Online: http://www.newton-house.net/mrfc_ferrets
  Phone: Chris Newton on 01628 663273

(For those of a nervous disposition, free bicycle clips will be available at the door - the ed)

Forthcoming Fixtures
Saturday 12 April
Maids 1st XV vs Old Patesians (H) SW1
Maids 2nd XV vs Marlow (A) BBO    
Maids 3rd XV vs Berks Shire Hall (A) BBO

Sunday 13th April
Can't think that far ahead