Oxford Colts 13 v
Maidenhead Colts 7
Sunday 15th January 2006
A trip down the M40 was on the cards for Maidenhead’s Last 32 National Cup clash with Oxford RFC. A game, which would later be described as 'devastating' by Mitchell Batten, kicked off earlier than usual at 1pm under a gloomy January sky.
The first half began with Maids under pressure resulting in Wardle and Cannon's kicking game being tested early. Much of the first half was like this with Maidenhead absorbing pressure and kicking clear from their own territory.
It wasn't until first half injury time that Maidenhead began to put pressure on Oxford with a Cannon chip over the top nearly resulting in a try but the ball being lost forward in the second phase and Maids' forwards driving over the line but being held up. Maidenhead finally broke through after an extended period of pressure when winning a ball against the head at a five-metre scrum on the Oxford line. A Cannon conversion left Maids with a 7-0 lead at half-time.
The second half started much the same as the first with Maidenhead absorbing pressure put on by Oxford. Maidenhead were penalised and Oxford converted for three points and Maids' lead was shortened.
This woke the Maids pack up, with inspiring play in particular from Joe Thomas and Sam Brown. With an extended period of pressure, including three scrums against the head and a held up drive over the try line, Oxford's defence was severely tested.
Chances were being wasted through poor recovery of the ball and wayward passing. Oxford piled on the pressure and under the guidance of their fly half put together a back line move which resulted in a try. With the conversion it put Oxford in the lead 10-7. After this, Maids did all they could to put pressure on the home side.
The game however could have been summed up in the incidents during injury time. After an Oxford kick from the halfway the ball rolled over the try line, Cannon sensibly put it down. The referee insisted he had carried it over, however, and a five-metre scrum was awarded to Oxford. Matt Wardle was sent off for arguing his point to the referee. Oxford kicked for points, making the score 13-7, and the final whistle blew not long afterwards.
Maidenhead squad: Cannon, Stefan. Hodgson, Standfast(c), Christian, Wardle, Styles; Brown, Ouston, Corcoran, Thomas, Plumer, Parrott, Kempton, Emmanuel. Subs: Ferrar, Sedler, Hogan, Adam, Robinson, Batten, Jones.
