A STUNNING win over Oxford Harlequins has lifted Maidenhead Rugby Club into the upper reaches of the league and given them sweet revenge for a controversial defeat in the reverse fixture.
The 26-8 final scoreline was impressive enough, but it was the performance which really turned heads.
Coach Simon Edwards said: “I believe it was the best 40 minutes of rugby we've played for many years. The game was over by half-time.
“There is a danger when you turn round 20 points up with the wind.
“You tend to think it’s going to be easy and then it’s hard to raise the team to another level.
“It was do or die for them (Oxford), so we did very well to shut them down.
“We weathered the early storm and came through strong. Of course there's an element of luck in every game, but we made Oxford resort to desperation.” Invited to explain the stark turn around since November's heavy defeat, Edwards said: “My comment after the Braywick game was if we played Oxford on a level wicket we could beat them, and we did.
“The players now listen and then do what I've asked, but they can also adapt when it’s not working.
“The whole squad has grown up. There’s a nice mix of youth and old heads. It’s a very nice blend. They have arrogance and composure.”
It was a weekend of interesting results in South West 1, the highlight being third-placed Bridgwater & Albion’s 112-0 annihilation of Gloucester Old Boys.
Meanwhile, Chinnor leap-frogged visitors Cheltenham into fourth place with an impressive 48-8 win, while league-leaders Cinderford lost by a single point at home to second-placed Clifton.
If that result had gone the other way, Maidenhead might now be eyeing a play-off spot, although the Braywick side can still rise to fourth place if they can just beat Clevedon at Braywick Park on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.
Edwards said: “We’re the form side in the league, but they (Clevedon) are probably second.
“They have had a change of coach and his ideas are now coming through.
“I understand they have a very strong tight five and look to put the ball wide whenever they can. So it’s going to be an interesting game.
“It’s our game in hand and it’s no good if we lose it.
“If we win we’ll go fourth in the league, when we were bottom with four played, four defeats. So to be where we are now is incredible.”
Asked whether he was now seriously considering a challenge for the single play-off spot, Edwards said: “That’s what we have to aim for. We need to go through the next three or four weeks unbeaten.
“I think without doubt we can then look for a top-three finish this season.
“It’s totally unexpected but we’ll take the opportunity with open arms.”