Maidenhead Colts 20 v Old Redcliffians Colts 37
Sunday 19th November 2006

There was very little to say after this defeat by Old Redcliffians in the third round of the NKO Cup. It was undoubtedly the most catastrophic display by the Maids at any age group for many seasons, and Old Reds deservedly went through to the next round, without ever convincing Maids fans that there was anything unbeatable about them, to say the very least.

Afterwards there were no recriminations. It was a day to file away and forget. Maids lacked purpose up front, they made a staggering number of simple errors - they managed to knock on all five of Old Reds' kick-offs, their previously outstanding defence allowed Reds huge gaps. They also lost four forwards to injury well before the end. Maids skipper Luke Knowles deserved better.

They began with a brilliant try, run from deep defence with danger man Mike Burnett weaving a dazzling path to score, with Dave Hodgson kicking the goal. That was the signal for Maids to assume that it was all over. Old Reds came back strongly.

The visitors did have one remarkable stroke of luck with the match in the balance towards half-time when Mike Skelton, the Maids centre, chased back to secure a loose ball over the Maids line. He fell on the ball and touched down with his body completely covering the ball, only for the ball then to squirt lose after Skelton's touchdown and for the referee, amazingly, to award a try 30 metres away. Skelton's self-control was praiseworthy.

Maids also came back to within a score with another try in the second half by the brilliant Burnett. But then, as usual, Maids knocked on the Old Reds kick off, made their simple handling errors in the next three minutes under no pressure, and Old Reds made the match-winning scores. Hodgson kicked two penalties and another conversion.

Maids now resume their defence of the BBO League title, sadder and wiser but still confident in the team's ability.

Maids squad:
Chris Adam, Mitch Batten, Mike Burnett, Alex Cannon, James Henley, Dave Hodgson, Andy Hogan, Chris Holden, Drew Jones, Luke Knowles, Scott Lowden, James Makurumure, Tom Morgan, Brin Munn, Chris Parrott, Tom Plumer, Jack Robinson, Marcus Shah, Mike Skelton, Olly Styles, Joe Thomas, Gareth Whyte.