Match report courtesy of the

Cut-throat Maids slice up Abbey

A thoroughly professional and clinical performance in the second half by Maidenhead quashed an aggressive but directionless Abbey team at Rosehill on Saturday. Maids ran in six tries, four after the break, and skipper Mark Ruddick capped a fine personal performance with five conversions and a penalty in what was an enthralling encounter despite the arctic-like conditions.

The first half was an even affair, in fact the hosts probably enjoyed the majority of the possession, but they were unable to make use of the ball they had. Abbey’s tackling, especially in midfield, was impressive and they had a better than average pack – but that’s it. They did not have options, and Maids made them pay. In contrast the visitors fought the good fight up front, defended like demons and then slowly wore down a tiring Abbey team. The final 20 minutes saw Maids spread the ball wide to their patient and eager three-quarters and run round a burned out Abbey defence. Three tries in the final 10 minutes put the seal on a satisfying display, but this rout was based on the foundations built in the first half. The visitors had an impressive start when Ruddick slotted a first minute penalty, and then on 16 minutes Richie Craig dived over from close ranger after a catch and drive from a solid lineout. The conversion made it 10-0. To Abbey’s credit they built up some momentum, and had Tom Burns not pulled up lame with an injured hamstring when seemingly through, the score at the end of the half could have been different. But defence was key for Maids, and they only conceded a single try – to Tony Potts on 22 minutes – despite some fearsome pressure.

After the break Maids looked to be more expansive, while Abbey kicked away their possession – and it showed. Mark Mueller extended Maids’ lead on 46 minutes following good lineout work after Ruddick had decided to kick to touch rather than for goal from a penalty. Abbey hit back through a James Kindon touchdown, but the momentum had inexorably changed in Maids’ favour. Winger Adam Ellwood now got on the end of two sweeping moves for a brace of tries in the corner, while Ruddick and Stuart Mackay made the most of tired Abbey legs to break through a now static midfield to bag a much-deserved try each. With Ruddick just missing once with his deadball kicking, Maids were comfortable and competent winners of a match in which they grew stronger with each minute that passed.

Maidenhead: Plamus, Mackay, Hammond, Cripps, Ellwood, Ruddick, Edwards, Riley, Craig, Blackwell, Gallina,Mueller, Lynch, Lowden, Jones. Subs: Grove (for Riley, 46), Morgan (for Jones, 80), Vorster (not used).
Reading Abbey: Burns, Fairlie, Hunt, Priest, Rowley, Pike, Shaw, Moorcroft, Mutepfa, Walsh, Potts, Barton, Pawlett, Willis, Kindon. Subs: Sheddon, Waterhouse, Hanson.

With a morale-boosting six-try rout of local rivals Reading Abbey on Saturday, Maidenhead coach Simon Edwards has set a target of finishing the season unbeaten. He believes this aim is well within the reach of his talented squad, who showed how they have matured during the 43-10 romp at Rosehill. Edwards said: “I want us to remain unbeaten until the end of the season and we can do it. “We have started to play well and the introduction of the three New Zealanders (Joe Palmus, Brendan Lynch and Adam Ellwood) has come at the right time for us. “I think we can go on from here. I know some of the players want to prove a point after the poor start we made to the campaign.”

Edwards’ confidence was underscored by his team’s mature performance at Abbey when they rode out a tough first half to eventually run riot in the final 20 minutes. Edwards said of the contest: “At half-time we changed our points of attack by adding more width to our play. “Basically we had options which they did not. They had Plan A, Plan A and Plan A! It’s an 80-minute game. Abbey were like we were a few years ago; play for 60 minutes and then fade in the final 20.” Edwards was particularly pleased with his team’s defence which created the errors from which his excellent backline could counter-attack. He added: “I thought Mark Ruddick at fly-half was excellent – his kicking both deadball and out of hand was top drawer. In fact our No.9 and No.10 dominated theirs, which was crucial.”