Maidenhead 3rds 14 v Wallingford 2nds 8
Saturday 29th March 2008

Everybody was hoping for a dry surface so that Maidenhead's backs could run the ball, but the weather was dreadful. A strong wind blowing diagonally across the pitch and driving rain for a large part of the match proved as much of a challenge to Maidenhead as did the opposition. Add to this the fact that the correct pitch had not been marked out, and it all added up to what could have been a very difficult afternoon. However the whole team turned in a performance that was outstanding.

Almost from the start a long kick out of defence by John 'Mitchell Brother' Sudbury went (with the help of the wind) deep into Wallingford's 22. From the line-out the forwards drove over for a try by Tim 'Vin diesel' Robinson. Given the strong wind the conversion from near the touch-line by Rob Wilkins was almost a 'miracle' kick. Great start! Maidenhead 7 Wallingford 0. But from that point on, despite having the wind at their backs, most of the play was in or around Maidenhead's 22 metre line. Despite this some really solid defence from Maidenhead ensured that their line was never really threatened, until on about the half-hour Wallingford won a line-out, the No. 8 peeled round the front and ran through a gap to score. The try wasn't converted and Maidenhead were still ahead but coming under unrelenting pressure.

Then right at the end of the half and on one of the few visits to the opposition half that Maidenhead made, a simple ball along the backs by Dave 'Gooders' Goodman and a clean inside pass to Ed 'No Neck' Poulding, saw him go over under the posts. Wow! 14 - 5 up at half time and very much against the run of play.

The second half, playing directly into the wind promised to be a monumental challenge to Maidenhead. But, but ,but...it didn't turn out that way. At least not until the last 10 minutes. The Maidenhead forwards decided that they were going to play the second half in the Wallingford half, and that is exactly what they did until about 10 minutes from the end when Wallingford managed to get up towards the Maidenhead 22 and snatch a drop goal to put them, at 14 - 8, to within a score of Maidenhead. That's when it all became squeaky bottom time. A line-out on the Maidenhead try line was repulsed, two or three penalties in quick succession were run towards the posts but beaten back, passes went forward, passes were dropped, but the defence held out.

A well, deserved win that puts Maidenhead level on points with Wallingford at the top of the table, second only on points difference.

Two more games to play for both teams. Anything can happen.

My Man of the Match: The whole team!

Penn Motor Company Man of the Match:

John 'Mitchell Brother' Sudbury

Written by David 'The Pencil' Anthony