RESULTS elsewhere in South West Division 1 meant Maidenhead Rugby Club’s stirring win at Chinnor on Saturday lifted them out of the relegation zone.
No one should underestimate the scale of this achievement, particularly in light of the Oxfordshire outfits impressive recent form, and coach Simon Edwards wasted no time in praising his players for a job well done.
He said: “I thought we thoroughly deserved our win. It’s very hard to come back from 17 points down when you have been losing so many games, but the character of the side came through and at half-time we thought ‘game on’.
“The second half was one of our best performances for a long, long time.”
However, with Maids’ pride now restored, bigger challenges lie ahead.
Edwards believes he needs another three wins to guarantee survival and hopes to get the first of those when his side visits Barnstaple tomorrow (Saturday)..
Edwards said: “Without question it’s a game we can win, and, if we win, I believe we can go the rest of the season unbeaten. This is the big test.”
n Edwards’ under 19 Colts have guaranteed themselves a memorable season by reaching the quarter-finals of the prestigious National Knock-out Cup – at their very first attempt.
The youngsters have already beaten the defending champions Gloucester, and on Sunday dispatched Manchester side Sedgeley Park, in a 29-0 drubbing at Braywick.
Edwards said: “What a win. It was the biggest crowd of the season. The stand was full.
“They came down expecting to beat us, but every chance we got we ran it wide and simply outpaced them.
“It’s a fantastic tribute to the boys. For a club of our size they’re an awesome side.”
Next up is Northampton at Braywick, on March 10, when the Colts hope to secure a place in the final four.
Elsewhere, Saracens, Bath, Bristol and Wasps will also be seeking to progress to the penultimate round.
n Maidonian Nick Duncombe has been named in the England squad for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham, but will start the game on the bench.
Two weeks ago the 20-year-old was the surpirse selection in Clive Woodward’s squad to play Scotland, and he eventually impressed when he got on to the pitch for the second half.