Berkshire Cup Report
Maidenhead 10pts vs Redingensians 35pts

This was always going to be a tricky encounter with the 1sts having played on Saturday and Redingensians having had the day off, but in the end although a loss, this was a highly entertaining game in front of a big partisan crowd and the score flattered the visitors

Until the last 15 minutes when a raft of heroic yet (how do I say this nicely) 'experienced' subs were introduced Maids were still in contention

Although the legend Kingsley entertained at tight head and 'the whippet' Khan postured in midfield and 'get him out of there' Bates joined the flank, the flood gates opened in the last quarter  

Without joking there were some great performances from some unknown (to me anyway) players and the quality of tackling and competitiveness at the break down could teach the full Elite squad a thing or two.  My man of the match Ed Keown

Crippo and Barbs

We have not heard from Crippo and Barbs for a while so here is a summary of what they have been up to in the last couple of months

December - We have hit Sydney. Am sitting in 'our' apartment staring out of the window and trying to concentrate. Got to say it is pretty hard. I am 14 floors up and overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It is absolutely stunning. We are staying with two mates from rugby, Will Page and Tom Cook

Caught up with with ex Maidenhead scrum half Ben Ayres who has lost none of his competitive edge as my eye socket found out on my first visit to Manly Beach. So I had got through 72 days of my tour without an incident and then I ran into an elbow, smack onto the 'orbital' bone. So after a scan and a first visit to the plastic surgeon they are waiting to see whether I need a plate put into my face. The lip causes some amusement for the boys who like to laugh at me whilst I am drooling and spilling my pints! (what's new - the Ed)

Barbs had a little case of the shits and commented – 'My ass is like the Japanese flag!'

Took on my second job of the trip so far. I am a truck driver. 4 tonne truck if you're asking. Bloody good fun.  Today was 35°C. I had a very busy day sitting  on the beach trying to keep my eyes peeled for sharks in the sea, there are a few distractions though

New Year - Barbs and I had our 100 partnership celebrations on New Years Eve - 100 days on tour.  Now in Melbourne and are staying with a very old friend of mine Nick Allen. Nick and Sophie (his girlfriend) had organised for us to go with them to a party on a farm somewhere a couple of hours from the city.  We had no real expectations but a fair bit of booze so figured we would be alright. Lets just say we were introduced as Richard and Simon but definitely left as Barbs and Crippo.
Am not sure how they celebrate New Year in the country but the countdown we did and then the singing of the customary songs was only really undertook by the four of us. The rest of them sipped their coffee and chatted about the harvest they had to bring in the next day! Barbs and I then figured we would lighten the mood by jumping in their pool. Both of us declothed to our birthday suits and performed flips of awkward olympic potential into the water. This activity went down like a pork sausage at a barmitsfa with the local party residents. Not even a peep from the wide eyed spectators. This however didn't faze us, as we went on a drinking game rampage and tried to swoop up as many farmers as we could. This lasted about 10 minutes because (a) they hated drinking games and (b) Barbs chucked me a bottle which smashed ungracefully by the pool and that was pretty much party over. The host was apepleptic and Barbs and I were banished to a seat in the corner, only to move if we needed the loo. I was just trying to have a quiet drink with my pals! We toasted the Maids and wished everyone back in the UK a Happy New Year.

January - Of course I do think of myself as a proper traveller. Staying on friends floors, caching taxis instead of public transport and the occassional trip to the Sydney Opera house. Isn't this what most people do? I figured so until I found myself in a predicament without accomodation for a few days. What on earth should I do. I was panic ridden. Perhaps it was back to the 16 dorm backpacker hostels, not a chance.  For the past week I have been living in a bright orange camper van. Unfortunately the only picture I have of 'dark wolf' is black and white but believe me it was horrendous. I have howver experienced how the real traveller does it. Our van did however have a fridge and a dvd player just in case you want to watch a bit of Gavin and Stacey or have a cold beer. I now love the real 'proper' travelling vibe so Barbs and I are heading up the east coast to brave the back packer dorms and unwashed. First stop Byron Bay to meet back up with Barbs...

Club Tour - Antwerp - 2010

Change of tour venue from Split (Croatia) to Antwerp (Belgium)
May Bank Holiday - 28th until 31st May
£300per person pp anyone interested contact me on

Would-be tourists please contact Prinny on 07886 -249195 or by email prinney@mac.com

Winning Start to League Campaign for U16s
Reading Abbey U16 5pts vs Maidenhead U16 19pts

Despite an inevitable lack of cohesion caused by a lack of play since 13th December coupled with the disruption of losing 3 of the regular fly halves  in the squad to injury, this was a robustly contested but ultimately comfortable win for the current Berkshire champions at this age group.

A game plan had been created taking into account Abbey's large pack and 6 foot 8 line out jumper, and when the plan was followed, it paid dividends. Mike Trevena and Mike Winter were very impressive at the breakdown securing possession and the opening score came when quick ball reached the backs and Daniel Andrews-Jones hit the line from depth at full pace to burst through and score, Dominik Bart adding the extras. Early expectations that Maids would go on and replicate this approach were unfounded, though, as the game degenerated into some aerial ping pong for a while (watching too much premiership rugby on TV perhaps?) before the visitors finally worked their way back up the hill into Abbey's 22 and won a penalty. Quick ruck ball then went through the hands of stand-in stand-off Leo Smith, forwards Seb Coric and Alex McCulloch, to centre Andrews-Jones who fed Michael Anderson on the wing to score. Once again quick ball and good passing had brought a score and Dom Bart added the difficult conversion from the touchline to give a 14 point lead.

This stung Abbey into action and through their pack and their large inside-centre (formerly a prop!) they launched several attacks deep into the Maidenhead half, but the Maids resistance held firm with the front row of Alex Avery, Nic Jones and Mark Hine resolute in defence and Daniel Andrews-Jones setting the tone smashing his opposite number to produce one turnover. Laurence MacSwan bore the brunt of the attacks from the big Number 12 opposite him and time after time he snuffed them out. One tremendous Maids counter-attack from their own 22 saw what seemed to be a certain try for Leo Smith disallowed so the margin at half time remained at 14 points.

The game dropped a level after half time with more kicking on both sides leaving players and spectators frustrated and leading to a few fractious penalties on both sides. From one such penalty Abbey caught Maids napping for once, moved the ball down the line to their winger who scored an unconverted try

That was as good as things got for Abbey. Maids brought on fresh legs from the bench and headed straight for the opposition 22. After a series of drives Shiv Khindria popped the ball up for Seb Coric coming through on his inside shoulder at pace and the number 8 smashed over to score. 5 – 19. It seemed certain that a further (bonus point) try would follow as chance after chance presented itself, but excellent defence from Abbey and a failure by Maids to get the alignment and passing in the backs gelling as it sometimes had meant that for all the territory and possession the scoreline stayed as it was.

All in all it was a good win after an 8 week break imposed by the weather, but leaves the squad in no doubt there are areas for improvement.

Good League Win for U14s Bs
Maidenhead U14s 22pts vs Newbury U16s 5pts

Maids and Newbury played the first ten minutes with neither side gaining advantage in territory or possession. Maidenhead's frustration with this situation grew and panalties came for going off feet in the ruck and for coming in from the side. This was compounded when they failed to move back a full ten metres for these penalties and were moved back a further ten metres for their pains.

Despite these problems Maids drove forward, recycling the ball after each breakdown until second row Michael White broke through the Newbury line using his physical advantage. At half time the score stood at Maidenhead 5 Newbury 0

In the second half Newbury immediately replied scoring the first league try agaist Maids 'B' this season, their outside centre evading tackles from the Maids outside centre and full back to run virtually the length of the pitch.  

Maidenhead responded, holding Newbury in their own half, and fly half Simon Graham found a hole in the Newbury defence to wriggle over the line at the right hand corner flag. Scrum half Patrick Bart converted. Second row impact sub CJ Nicholl took a long pass and ran round the Newbury defence to score Maids third try. Maidenhead remained in the Newbury half and number 8 Owen Langstone completed the tryfest with the fourth and final try of the match.

U13s Follow Up Last Week's Win

A big shout to the under the 13's A who beat Reading A, 41 ponts to nil on Sunday, coming off the back of their 64 nil win against Tadley last weekend

This puts them 3rd in the league in their first league season. Man of the match for two weeks running is Jack Chapman, frightening and thoroughly nasty with ball in hand!!

Forthcoming fixtures

13 Feb - 1st XV vs Barnstaple (H) N3SW KO 2:30pm
13 Feb - 2nd XV vs Westcombe Park (H) TSD2 KO 2:30pm
13 Feb - 3rd XV vs Wallingford II (A) BBOPA
13 Feb - 4th XV vs Phoenix II (A) BBO2S

14 Feb - U16A vs Fullerians (H)
14 Feb - U16B vs Redingensians B (A)
14 Feb - U14B vs Tadley (A)
14 Feb - U13A vs Bracknell (H)   
14 Feb - U13B vs Effingham (A)
14 Feb - Minis vs Redingensians (H)

 6 Nations So Far

 England U20s

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 Drink The Club Dry
Tickets going very fast

With the club closing for refurbishment over the summer, join us on the 23rd  of April to drink the bar dry 

Friday 23rd April in the clubhouse

Dinner Dance
4 course meal
7.30pm – 1am
£35 per person

Contact Jean on kingsley38@btinternet.com
01628 676755