Match report courtesy of the

Saturday 3rd March 2007

MAIDENHEAD produced a storming performance in the first 50 minutes to blow away their illustrious hosts on a windy day in St Ives on Saturday.

Not for the first time this season, Maids waited until they were away from Braywick before producing some of their most professional and entertaining rugby. Indeed such was the visitor's initial dominance that they led 36-0 after 47 minutes and looked to be on for a cricket score. But, similar to the clash between these teams earlier in the season, St Ives fought back and seemed to be rejuvenated when reduced to 14 men following an injury to skipper Ian Boase.

The hosts turned in a powerful repost reducing the deficit to 36-21 after 80 minutes. Maids, however, ended on a high with an 87th-minute try which set the seal on a memorable performance.

0The match started with debutant Adrian Griffiths, another from the club¹s youth section who is currently at Bath Academy, touching down after 12 minutes soon followed by tries for centre Jonny Hammond and lock Alex Gallina. Fullback Joe Plamus also got on the score sheet on 36 minutes, and with Stuart Mackay successful with one of the four conversions, Maids were flying 22-0 up at the break.

Although they were now facing a stiff wind in the second half, Maids still got out of the traps first and within 12 minutes effectively secured the points. Winger Mackay scored and converted his own try, and with the customary touchdown from Max Willcocks on 47 minutes, converted by Mackay, the score was an improbable 36-0.

But St Ives bounced back and bagged three tries of their own, through Graham Corin, Sheldon Waetford and Aaron Baigent, to give the score a more respectable look at 36-21 on 80 minutes.

Maids substitute Alex Cannon had the final say when he touched down, following an unselfish pass from Willcocks, converted by Mackay, to add a gloss to a polished team display. The win secures Maids' grip on third place in South West 1 with three league matches remaining.

St Ives:
Lovell, Taylor, Baigent, Waetford, Trescothick, Thurlby, Turnbull, T Stevens, Hurdwell, Noott, G Corin, N Corin, L Stevens, Boase, Brooke. Subs: Ticker (for T Stevens), Martin (for Taylor), Varney (for L Stevens).

Maidenhead:
Plamus, Cripps, Hammond, Willcocks, Mackay, Ruddick, Edwards, Blackwell, Craig, Johnston, Gallina, Mueller, Morgan, Griffiths, Riley. Subs: O¹Byrne (for Blackwell), Cannon (for Cripps), Greene (not used).