New Year's Eve Returns To Braywick

The last time we had a New Year's Eve party at the club the bar was run by the players.  At 1.30am in the morning, I found Duncan Percy on his back in the cellar, drinking from a bottle of scotch, lying in a puddle of 40 pints of lager that had just exploded out of a barrel when he was trying to change it. Thank God the Pages are now in control

New Year's Eve Party
at
MAIDENHEAD RUGBY CLUB
Children Welcome - Disco - Bar - Food

For more information look out for posters at the club or contact Jean Kingsley on 07966 490374 or at kingsley38@btinternet.com

6 Nations Tickets

If you are interested in applying for International Tickets for the 6 Nations, please fill in the attached form (Click here to download) and return with your cheque as detailed

No names will go in the ballot unless payment is received; unsuccessful applications will have their cheques returned, destroyed or spent in Cardiff. REMEMBER :–

1. You must be a fully paid up member of MRUFC - this now includes youth members who have selected the £80 membership option
2. The whole procedure is on a 'Draw Basis'. Because you apply, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get tickets - it's a bit like playing the lottery!

Coach the Coaches - Principles of Attack

Dave and the boys at Wasps are obviously teaching what they preach at Wasps, great result on Saturday, never in doubt!!

For those at the coaching session last week please find the link to the presentation that Dave made - Click Here

The next session is being planned and I will let you know when it is 

Wasps Masterclass Sudden Availability

The recent announcement that the Wasps versus Newcastle Falcons EDF Energy Cup match is to be held on Saturday 1st December has made available places for a Match Day Coach Class

Anybody who has been to these in the past knows how good the coaching is and also the day overall.  Fantastic way also to relieve the boys of the same old voices and have a bit of bonding at the game.

For full details CLICK HERE - This is well worth looking at for all age groups.  Let's get in there before other clubs do

Suggested new laws for next season

Not that most of you know the current ones anyway

Very interesting reading - Click Here to download

Maids Carry On Climbing
Maidenhead 3rds 14 pts vs Thatcham 1sts 5 pts

Maidenhead third XV took on and beat a nuggety and tough Thatcham first XV on Saturday, controlling play for large parts of the game to run out winners 14-5

Bright autumn sunshine was tempered by a very brisk, cold North West wind.  And the wind was certainly put up Thatcham (beautiful prose - the ed), as Maids had an excellent start, with a quick turnover and then the ball moving quickly through the hands of backs and forwards alike, with centre Pete Bluck diving over with less than a minute gone on the clock.  Rob Wilkins added the extras and Maids were up 7-0.

This was followed by plenty of Thatcham pressure with a fifteen minute period of play inside the Maids twenty two.  There was a lot of niggle between the two teams, but Maids defended stoutly and Maids eventually took advantage of a chance or two to advance back towards the home team line. 

Shortly before half-time full back Ed Poulding caught a high ball as Thatcham tried to clear their lines, and following his initial break, with excellent support play, the ball was moved through lots of hands and winger Charlie Jarnet was unlucky not to score, being tackled into touch just short of the line.  Maids went into half-time 7-0 to the good and knowing that they would have the wind at their backs in the second period.

Maids took full advantage of the wind and were camped for lengthy periods inside Thatcham's half, putting sustained pressure on the try line, and it was not long before Jan Weddepohl continued his excellent try scoring ratio, as he dived over to score.  Once again Rob Wilkins slotted the conversion and Maids were 14-0 up.

Maidenhead's forwards were matching fire with fire and fronted up to the Thatcham pack who were trying to get a hold on the game and The Penn Motor Company Man of the Match Jon Sudbury kept Thatcham under the cosh for long periods of time with a strong kicking display.  Maids were unlucky not to score another try as time drew to a close, but it was Thatcham who seized upon a Maidenhead error to score an unconverted consolation try at the death, allowing Maids to feel very satisfied with a 14-5 victory over tough opposition.

NB. It must be noted that the following players were without their team shirts for the day: Tony Rawlings, Dan Robinson, Mark Bates, Mark Robinson, John Wanklyn, Lester Martin, Pete Bluck, Charlie Jarnet, Nick Harris, and Kirk Webb (not sure what the outcome of this crime is, but knowing the 3rds, it will not be pretty - the ed)

U17s still top despite first defeat
Maidenhead U17s 7pts vs Aylesbury 11pts (BBO)

With their front row missing due to remembrance services and the regular crop of injuries, this was always going to be a test for Maids. Although Aylesbury had lost their first league game, they have subsequently rebuilt the team with senior players from a number of struggling clubs in their area, meaning that they enjoyed size and quality throughout the side

However, Maids more than matched them and throughout the game were only frustrated by consistent killing of the ball at the breakdown, stopping Maid's superior backs having quality attacking ball

Aylesbury went 6pts ahead with two penalties in the first half. although territory against the wind was very much in Maidenhead's favour. 

In the second half a long kick by Aylesbury gave Maids a lineout on their own 22 which they won but decided to run instead of clearing with the wind (something I had spent all Saturday watching and swearing at), giving Aylesbury position two phases later for their 10 to break through and make it 11-0
     (I rest my case sir)

Maid's pressure finally told with about 15 minutes to go with a try under the posts and a conversion to put them within 4pts.  With possession in the 22 all too often being driven tight rather than spread wide, Maid's opportunities were wasted and their first defeat of the season confirmed, even though a late try seemed on the cards only for the corner flag to deny them

As the score suggests, this game could have gone either way and the result was in the balance until the final whistle.

With a bonus point gained, the title race looks like it could go all the way to the end of the season - bring it on

U14s Win Comfortably at Marlow
MARLOW U14B : 5 – 35 : MAIDENHEAD U14 B

Maidenhead U14s' strength in depth shone through on Sunday morning as their B team came away with a convincing win at local rivals Marlow. This was a great team performance, maintained despite rotating a large squad to give all players some time on the pitch.

Markus Olivier marked his return from a long injury lay-off with the opening try, as one backs move broke down on the Marlow 22, Josh Edney demonstrated the perfect "pick and go" to produce quick ball and the backs moved this smoothly down the line for Olivier to score

Marlow came back strongly, but were met with resolute defence and Dhruv Surya emerged from one challenge on his own 22 to outpace all defenders and score under the posts

Tim "Sebastian Chabal" Cronbach received the kick off and took route one, straight through the chasing Marlow players and all the way to score under the posts, making life easy for Iain Whiteford to take the half time score to 0-28.

Marlow started brightly in the second half, scoring early on from a tap penalty, but Maids rallied and put together a solid performance in defence and attack

Christmas present idea

Presenting the 2008 MRFC Youth Section Calendar

Featuring squad photos from each age group from Under 7 to Under 17, and a host of action shots. Especially designed to be family friendly, an ideal gift for friends, parents, grandparents, god-parents

Available from this weekend at the club or via the Under 14s

Bucks RFU Coaching Programme
Click Here for the updated schedule

 Foreign Correspondents

This is a call for Christmas greetings, updates and reports from our correspondents around the world to be sent in - You know who you are.  Salaries will be withheld otherwise - The ed

Forthcoming fixtures
Saturday 17th Nov
1st XV vs Old Patesians (A) Cup
    
Sunday 18th Nov   
Colts vs Widden Old Boys (A) N Cup
Minis vs Reading Abbey (A) Directions
U13s vs Beaconsfield (A)
U14s - tbc
U15s - Medway (H)
U16s vs Horsham (H)
U17s - Training

Saturday 24th Nov 
1st XV vs Coney Hill (H) SW1
2nd XV vs Chinnor III (A) BBO    
3rd XV vs Tadley II (H) BBO