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U14s Clinch Berkshire
U14 Division 1 League Title
Maidenhead 21pts Vs
Windsor 12pts
Maidenhead U14s were hosts
at Braywick to a league side from Windsor
RFC on the weekend in pleasant weather conditions
of sunshine. This was a crucial match for both
teams. The result would determine which of these
two teams would be crowned Berkshire League Division
1 champions.
Maidenhead started
strongly, applying pressure early, and enjoying
the majority of the territorial possession until
an underarm offload from the Maidenhead Centre
was intercepted by the very fast Windsor winger
known as 'KK'.
KK sprinted half the length
of the pitch to touch down under the posts
which was duly converted. KK almost repeated
the feat a few minutes later evading the centres
a second time before being driven into touch by
alert flanker James O'Connor.
The quality of the Maidenhead
rucking and impressive defensive work by the forwards
and backs caused Windsor to commit numerous errors,
resulting in Maidenhead securing possession
through the scrums. Maids continued to pile the
pressure on during the rest of the first half
but were thwarted at critical times near the Windsor
line by infringements allowing the opposition
to clear their lines.
First Half Score:- Maidenhead 0 Windsor 7
At the beginning of the second
half Maidenhead lost a second try through a very
well worked move between the Windsor forwards.
However, one of the features of the Maidenhead
team this year has been the refusal to know when
they are beaten &, crucially, Maidenhead retained
their composure and shape. Within a few minutes,
Maidenhead replied with a series of driving rucks
that culminated in Rhys Rolle forcing the ball
over the Windsor line for a try, duly converted
by Lee Neale.
Maidenhead knew that they had
the momentum, strength & stamina to gain the
upper hand. Within 5 minutes, sustained Maidenhead
pressure resulted in Prop, Jody Dance, receiving
a ball out of a turned over ruck: taking a tremendous
running line to cut through the Windsor backs,
he powered over the try line. Another conversion
by Lee Neale saw Maidenhead take the lead with
a score of 14-12. With 10 minutes to go, Windsor
threw everything they had a Maidenhead but, instead
of relying on a defensive strategy, Maidenhead
went on the attack and a wonderful display of
handling through the backline delivered the ball
to Jacob Farrel who saw a gap in the Windsor defence
and sprinted to place the ball under the posts.
The successful conversion widened the Maidenhead
margin to 9 points and, with only a few minutes
left, the game was all but won.
This was a game that required
the Maidenhead forwards and backs to perform at
their maximum potential and, without exception,
every player delivered to secure a tremendously
coordinated team performance.
The final whistle was met
by delighted celebrations from the Maidenhead
players and supporters but tempered with appreciation
and respect for a Windsor team who had played
valiantly. It was pleasing that such a big match
was played intensely, yet with good sportsmanship
evident on both sides.
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