Match report courtesy of the

Saturday 8th March 2008

Saturday's narrow three-point defeat to rivals Redingensians was a hammer blow to Maids' in their fight to avoid the drop. Yet, not for the first time in this frustrating campaign, Maids had the opportunity to take the points and build form and confidence.

At half-time, although five points down, Maids had the benefit of the considerable wind and will have been content with their position. Then, after having scored an unconverted try just two minutes after the restart, the hosts must have thought the points were theirs for the taking. But a lack of team confidence, a solid Redingensians pack, and an inability to play the game in their opponents half, condemned Maids to defeat in this relegation 'four-pointer'.

Maids lined up with a changed side from the Bracknell thrashing, old heads Paul Jones (second row) and Piers Morgan (flanker) were brought in, Deego Arends enjoyed a rare start on the wing and Gareth Edwards was back at scrum-half. And initially the hosts were on the front foot, centre Jonny Hammond was at his elusive best and potential match-winner Warren Abrahams joined the line from full-back at every opportunity.

Indeed twice in the early exchanges Maids had worked overlaps, but misplaced passing saw the moves break down. Yet this was not to last and the visitors, using the wind to good effect, grabbed the momentum. A try on 12 minutes set them on their way. From a lineout and perfectly executed three-quarters routine produced space for No.15 Jevon Marsh to swoop in under the posts. He converted his own try.

Maids were then forced to spend a long time defending and struggling to clear their lines, but their hard work paid off on the half hour when they bagged a touchdown of their own, when Arends and Abrahams combined for the latter to score. Abrahams also converted his own try.

The lead lasted just two minutes as Redingensians took a quick lineout to catch the hosts napping. A decent move in the backs saw Seb Reynolds go over to restore the lead.

However, 12-7 down at the break was by no means a disaster for Maids, who had shown glimpses of what they can produce. Then, when Arends touched down just minutes into the new half, following a counter-attack led by Abrahams, Maids had the momentum and the wind behind them. But their lack of genuine self-belief and inability or unwillingness to kick for the corners and put the pressure on the visitors, meant they never actually took the game by the scruff of the neck as they needed to do.

Redingensians were happy to keep possession and not give the ball away, and were eventually rewarded for their tactics with a drop-goal from Marsh on the hour, which turned out to be the winner.

Maids rarely got in a position to return the favour, and although the referee scandalously blew the whistle at least four minutes early, the hosts could feel annoyed and disappointed with themselves, but not hard done by.

Beforehand, the match was described to me by a club official as a 'must-win'. After this setback, every match is now a must-win.

Maidenhead RFC:
Abrahams, Cripps, Mackay, Hammond, Arends, MacDonald, Edwards, Blackwell, Barber, Hoskins, Mueller, Jones, babic, Morgan, Riley. Subs: O¹Byrne (for Blackwell, 40), Gallina (for Jones, 60), Parkhouse (for Morgan, 60).

Redingensians RFC:
Marsh, Duffelen, Reynolds, Amor, Clements, Chandler, Flynn, Rumble, Fisher, Baker, Milne, Davies, Southern, Castell, Buzza. Subs: Conlon, Denton, Reed.