Colts reach semi-finals of Weybridge Sevens

Sunday 26th March 2006

Maidenhead Colts won their group without losing a match to set up a semi-final with Rosslyn Park at the Weybridge Sevens on Sunday. However, with casualty levels not seen since the Charge of the Light Brigade, Maids were always going to be up against it and Park ran in five tries in the first half. With barely five fit players, spare man Jack Robinson and Mitch Batten hopping around the pitch Maids fighting spirit returned in the second half and Sam Stefan scored the only try. Dave Hodgson converted.

In the group stage Maids first match was against BBO league rivals Grove who they had narrowly beaten in the league the week before. As expected it was a close contest with Maids edging it 24-21 with tries from Alex Cannon, Karl Kempton (2) and Dave Hodgson. The game also brought the first casualty as Cannon (all on his own) twisted an ankle in a rabbit hole!

The second game was against hosts Weybridge who were to lose all their games. Maids scored six tries with contributions from Simon Standfast, Matt Wardle, Sam Stefan, Chris Adam, Kempton and Hodgson.

Next Old Reigatians proved to be a match for Maids earning a 21-21 draw in a thrilling game with Luke Knowles getting the equaliser. Jason Ouston's work rate was outstanding.

The fourth game was a comfortable win over Lewes but the injury count was rising. Cannon (ankle), Kempton (knee), Wardle (ankle), Christian (nose), Adam (head) left only seven for the next match.

For the final group game against North Bristol Maids needed either a win or a draw to go through to the semi-finals. Despite the lack of players Maids gave their best performance of the day with a great defence marshalled by Standfast who was everywhere. Chris Parrott was dominant in the lineout and Dave Hodgson scored and converted Maids' try. At the last gasp the defence slipped and North Bristol equalised but the draw was enough for Maids to win the group on points difference from Grove and go into the semi-final against Rosslyn Park.

Maids squad:
Chris Adam, Mitch Batten, Alex Cannon, Ryan Christian, Dave Hodgson, Karl Kempton, Luke Knowles, Jason Ouston, Chris Parrott, Simon Standfast, Sam Stefan, Matt Wardle plus, by kind permission of Rosslyn Park, Jack Robinson