Match report and picture courtesy of the

Kiwi imports given a baptism of mud

Maidenhead’s three New Zealand imports had a baptism of mud at Braywick on Saturday, as a heavy pitch, spirited opponents and lack of match fitness took their toll on the three Ponsonby journeymen. Having finished their season in September, it was no surprise when the Kiwis faded towards the end of the game.

However, before their engines gave out, they did manage to give the home fans a glimpse of their rich rugby pedigrees. The eye-catching performance came from fullback Joe Plamus but not before he had spilled a routine high ball. But after this inauspicious start he successfully fielded every subsequent up-and-under, while also being highly evident in both attack and defence. The lack of match practice finally told in the second half, when near-exhaustion forced him to take a more conservative approach. But this did not prevent him from putting in some brave tackles, one of which saw him substituted for running repairs due to a nasty cut to his head. Fellow import No.8 Brendon Lynch did not look out of place in the Maidenhead second string, so will no doubt be comfortable at the higher level once he gains full match fitness. Indeed, the rangy youngster almost bagged a try with a pick-up-and-go in the first half, but was held up over the line. Out wide on the flank, winger-cum-flanker Adam Ellwood looked very quick whenever he got the chance to run, but the Ruislip tackling was top-notch and he never quite made it to the line. Despite his slight frame, Ellwood also looked the part in defence, running down a couple of good breaks and making several big hits.

The overall impression of the Kiwis was one of promise rather than awe, but coach Simon Edwards was pleased with their performances, saying: “We had three or four other first team players on the pitch and they didn’t stand out either. “They were playing in dreadful conditions with a mixed bunch of players against a full league side. “And they haven’t played since September, so I was happy with all three of them. I wouldn’t have expected any more.”

Commenting on their individual performances, Edwards said: “I was looking at lots of things. I wasn’t looking at whether the fullback dropped his first high ball in wet conditions. But I was looking at the three or four hard tackles he made in the next few minutes.” Adam Ellwood saw little of the ball out on the right wing, but Edwards was impressed with his defensive abilities, saying “He looked very sound. He’s played a lot of rugby league, so his defence is going to be good.” No.8 Brendan Lynch also came in for praise, not for his rare moments in the spotlight, but for his steady workrate and commitment. Edwards said: “I thought he played more like a six than an eight, but that’s not an issue with me. “If you looked at the shirts after 10 minutes, his was the dirtiest on the field, which shows he was doing a lot of the hard work.”

The match itself was characterised by long periods of possession at either end, although Maids notably scored from two of their periods of pressure, while Ruislip never looked like crossing the line. Nevertheless, the hosts made a lively start, and kept Maids penned inside their own half for a full 16 minutes. The escape came courtesy of Plamus, when he fielded a kick over the top, side-stepped the first challenge, rolled out of the second and then crashed into the third. The move marked a turning point in the game, as the visitors rarely ventured back into Maids territory for the remainder of the half. After one multi-phase move, Plamus was only denied a certain score by a trip from behind, as he chased down a grubber kick. However, the pressure on the Ruislip defence was relentless and the breakthrough finally arrived just before the break, when a catch-and-drive ended with the tight-head prop crashing over close to the posts.

The returning Danny Walton made sure of the extras and Maids held a deserved 7-0 lead at the turn. After the break, the heavy surface contributed to a rather lacklustre 50 minutes played. The highlight arrived just before the final whistle, when the Maidenhead pack rolled over the line in the corner to make it 12-0 at the death. On the downside, second-half substitute Stuart Douglas tore his hamstring stooping to collect a kick ahead, and will almost certainly miss the next four weeks.

Maids welcome Spartans to Braywick on Saturday. The West Country side are currently languishing near the foot of the table, but Edwards believes this will make them even more dangerous. He said: “It’s a banana skin. “We’re short of a few players and it’s make or break time for them. They have to win.” However, if rumours currently floating around the league prove to be true, it may also be a game Maids need to win. Edwards explained: “There are few who are talking about restructuring the league system and that could mean another team goes up. So I’m really gunning for a top-three spot. “We need to make sure we don’t miss out on any chance for promotion. So it’s also a game we need to win.”

NEW FACES: From left to right, Adam Ellwood, Joe Plamus, coach Simon Edwards and No.8 Brendon Lynch pose for the cameras during Tuesday night’s training session at Braywick