Colts at the PROPS Sevens

Sunday 14th May 2006

Maidenhead entered two teams in the inaugural PROPS Sevens competition at Cleve. The U23s were in a tough senior competition with the likes of UWIC and a PROPS Barbarians which consisted of Bristol first team players.

Though having more hookers than props the Colts had an excellent day coming joint second in their section.

The Colts first game was against Thornbury. Tom Plumer scored a great diving try under the posts but the fact the Maids had just got of the coach showed in the organisation as the game wore on and Thornbury made it 21-7 at the finish

The second game was against eventual winners PROPS barbarians. PROPS won 15-5 with Maids try coming from the forwards driving over for Tom Morgan to touch down.

The next game was against North Bristol, who a very different Maidenhead team had drawn with at the Weybridge Sevens. This time it was more straightforward with Luke Knowles and Will Grant scoring two quick tries. Though North came back Andy Mitchell replied to make it 19-12.

Cleve proved to be tougher opposition with San Stefan scoring Maids only try in a 19-7 defeat.

The game of the tournament was against Weston-super-Mare. Maids were quick out of the blocks with scores from Andy Mitchell, Sam Stefan and Tom Morgan. Then complacency set in and Weston were allowed back into the match taking the lead despite tries from Mitch Batten and Simon Standfast. Maids' final try came from a run by Tom Morgan who sprinted down the touchline and passed inside for Sam Stefan to score close to the posts. Simon Standfast converted to give Maids a one point win 36-35.

Old rivals Redingensians were the final opponents. Having suffered indignities from the announcer all day "Reading Indians" also had to borrow a couple of players due to injuries. The game was played in the normal good spirit and Maids finally managed to try the rolling maul that had been promised all day, covering half the pitch in the process. Tries from Andy Mitchell (3), Sam Stefan (2) and Will Grant sealed a 41-14 victory which made Maids joint second with 3 other teams.

All that remained was for Maids to support the PROPS charity further by enthusiastically taking part in the beer festival.

Maids Colts:
Jason Ouston, Tom Plumer, Simon Standfast, Sam Stefan, Mitch Batten, Luke Knowles, Andy Mitchell, Tom Morgan, Grant Shearer, Will Grant, Andy Hogan.