Maids play smart to grab first win (23.10.04)

MAIDS notched up their first league win of the season on Saturday thanks to a superior grasp of wet weather rugby techniques and tactics.
The victory was even more creditable given that 10 first choice players were on the injured list and then skipper Robin Bryant pulled out just before the kick-off after picking up a knock.
From the start Maids’ backs looked to have the legs on their opponents with Stuart Mackay and Dan Walton regularly getting over the advantage line which led to the visitors taking the lead with a penalty by Rob Hawkins.
Long touch kicking by Hawkins down to the home side’s hell-fire’ corner kept Maids on the offensive and eventually a long run by Mackay led to a quick heel on the Old Boys line for Danny Martin to speed over for an excellent try. Hawkins converted for 10-0.
The Old Boys replied with a good penalty by fly-half Teague and followed up with a try by South African centre Van Rensberg after slick handling particularly in the conditions by the home backs, but was assisted by sloppy Maids tackling.
Maids always looked dangerous in attack but long runs by Martin and De Wet Boosen were spoilt by the last pass going astray to prevent a score.
Maids crossed over leading 10-8 but had to face the wind and rain after the break.
Early in the second half the Old Boys took the lead with another penalty by Teague, but a combination of tactical naivety from the home side and tightly controlled forward play, in which every member of the Maids pack played their part, saw the visitors take control.
Youthful half-backs Gareth Edwards and Martin were proving a handful for the Old Boys and Dave Knight had by far his best game on the wing and almost broke clear on a number of occasions.
Malcolm Eddington, captain for the day, proved an inspiring leader, with Luke Bullock and Piers Morgan mopping up in the back row.
Continued pressure by Maids, hardly able to believe the home side ignoring the tactic of kicking the ball down into the corner, was highlighted by prop Cormac O’Byrne – having a storming game – who broke away on long run from a loose scrum, forcing the Old Boys to concede a penalty which was converted by Hawkins.
Maids were becoming more and more confident and only the greasy ball prevented a score in the centre.
Peter Windeyer was yellow-carded in a case of mistaken identity, but Maids were well on top by now and just before the end Hawkins kicked another penalty to give the visitors a courageous five-point win.
A terrific performance by Maids under the circumstances, with youngsters like Martin, Edwards, Alex Greer and Mackay plus reserve prop Blackwell, together with 1st team debutant Luke Bullock, all giving energetic performances.
Man of the match was Martin, whose handling in the wet, fearless tackling and super try gave him the decision.