DESPITE a mounting injury list which has reached double figures, Maidenhead RFC head for Stow-on-the-Wold tomorrow (Saturday) confident of success.
And with good reason. Maids thrashed Salisbury 68-19 on Saturday to move into second place in South West Division 2 East and are currently in their best form for more than two seasons.
In addition to form they have a strength in depth to their squad which should see them sustain a serious promotion campaign.
To underscore this South African signing Jacques Botha made an impressive debut against Salisbury with his catching at the front of the lineout and tremendous turn of pace, while Simon Carter was given a start at scrum-half and turned in a near man of the match performance.
Not surprisingly then, Maids coach Simon Edwards is excited about the team’s potential. He said: “Confidence is very high at the moment – why shouldn’t it be, even though we have a lot of injuries.
“There were nine players in the physio’s room at Tuesday night training. Hammond, Greer and Kertesz all face late fitness tests to see if they’ll be fit for Stow.
“We have great strength in depth but that is being tested to the limit.”
He added: “But it’s the first time I can ever remember having two players for every position. It’s just unheard of at Maidenhead.”
Yet Edwards knows that there are a number of potential banana skins out there just waiting for his side to slip up on.
He said: “I thought we were very professional against Salisbury. No one has done that to a full Salisbury side this season.
“After the Abbey victory we could have slipped up. We have done in the past, but not now.”
Stow, with two wins from six starts, are also giant-killers-in-waiting as Edwards realises
“Stow are a classic Gloucester-type side. If the wet weather comes in as predicted then we will know what to expect.
“We’ll be ready.”