Match report courtesy of the

Saturday 6th October 2007

Full-back Warren Abraham capped an eye-catching debut with two excellent tries as Maidenhead made hard work of polishing off Bournemouth on Saturday. The South African from Johannesburg took just three minutes to get on the scoresheet, and was at the heart of all the incisive moves Maids' backs made thanks to his searing pace and strength in the tackle. With his low centre of gravity, intelligent positioning and Jason Robinson-like attributes, Abraham added the much-needed polish and energy to a Maids effort which reversed three straight defeats but ultimately flattered to deceive.

Now, without talisman centre Max Willcocks who will be playing his rugby closer to home in London, Maids have uncovered another free-running, quality back who adds much-needed class and a cutting edge, and someone who the paying punters can get excited about. On Saturday that excitement started early when Maids and Abraham enjoyed the dream start when, on three minutes, the ball was moved to the blindside from a ruck and, with his first touch of the ball, Abraham plucked the ball out of winger Alex Greer's hands before bolting down the line for a memorable touchdown.

Stuart Mackay was off-target with the conversion, but Maids had the start they were after. Unfortunately, this opening did not produce a coherent first half, although the scrappy play from both sides did allow 25 points to be scored. It was the visitors who scored next, impressive fly-half Joe Aiono kicking a penalty on 12 minutes having missed an identical one just before. Maids extended their lead on 18 minutes with another unconverted try when Nick Kertesz dived over from close range when the ball went loose following a catch and drive from a lineout.

When Maids added a third unconverted try on 28 minutes following a great break from Jonny Hammond who offloaded to the eagerly awaiting Abraham for a simple run under the posts, the hosts were 15-3 up and with the platform to put Bournemouth to the sword. However, the visitors were a combative force and well marshalled by Aiono, and despite going down to 14 men for 10 minutes, bagged a morale-boosting try on the half hour when Maids were caught napping and James Payne was on the end of a clinical move for a good try which Aiono converted.

The second half was similar to the first with Maids enjoying good possession, but poor decision-making and basic handling errors ensured they did not overwhelm. An Aiono penalty soon after the restart brought the score back to 15-13 before Maids bagged their fourth try when a Bournemouth clearance did not find touch and fancy footwork by Mackay and Abraham allowed Greer to finish off a clinical counter-attack.

Skipper Mark Ruddick, having taken over kicking duties, converted, and then seven minutes later made the score 25-13 with a well struck penalty. On the hour, Maids made the points safe when Mackay skipped around his marker to touch down after Maids forwards had sucked in the Bournemouth defence before the ball was eventually recycled and given some width. Ruddick converted brilliantly from the touchline. With 20 minutes remaining and the momentum behind them, Maids should have added to their score, but in fact it was the visitors who scored the only points when scrum-half Sam Hardcastle bagged a try having been set up by Aiono, who also converted for 32-20.

Both teams cancelled each other out as the clock ran down in an uneven match which Maids needed to win, and did so, but without ever being at their best.

Maidenhead:
Abraham, Mackay (MacDonald, 78), Hammond, Cripps, Greer, Ruddick, Edwards, O'Byrne (Greene, 75), Craig, Blackwell, Babich, Mueller, Kertesz (Gull, 77), Parkhouse, Gallina. Bournemouth:
Payne, Edwards, Bruce, Frost, Flynn, Aiono, Hardcastle, Wareham, Manning, Burns, Kenny, Seward, Richards, Cawley, Kiely. Subs: Sampson, Flower, Crocker.