RESULTS elsewhere consigned Maidenhead RFC to another season in South West 2 (East) at the weekend, as Swanage & Wareham claimed the Division’s single promotion play-off spot, with an impressive 15-8 win at Abbey.
After a long, hard season, comprising 22 games, only one point eventually separated these old rivals, making Maidenhead’s fate particularly hard to bear.
However, coach Tony Brooks was magnanimous in defeat, admitting the best team had won.
He said: “It is frustrating. Everyone was disappointed but league tables seldom lie. If you don’t do it you don’t deserve it.
“We messed up at Abbey. We were comfortably ahead and then we blew it.
“But when it comes down to a single point you can’t really blame it on one game.
“We also lost home and away to Swanage. Either of those would have done the trick.”
Finding reasons for those defeats is slightly harder, although Brooks put much of it down to tactical changes.
He said: “Part of the problem has been the transformation from the game we have played historically to a much more expansive style of play.
“I think we have something close to a good set of backs now. The challenge is to augment that with the right set of forwards to suit the new style of play. We need to bring in some more athletic forwards.”
Several of Maids’ talented colts were blooded at a senior level this year, but, despite some promising debuts, when it comes to forwards there is no substitute for experience.
However, while Brooks broadly agreed with this, he added: “If you’re big enough and good enough, you’re old enough.”
Despite his obvious disappointment at missing the play-offs, Brooks was philosophical about spending another year at the lower level, saying: “It’s not going to do us any harm. I genuinely believe if you get promoted and then get hammered week in, week out, the club is worse off as a result.
“If you’re losing every week you lose your enthusiasm for the game.”
He also found plenty of positives to talk about, after a season of significant change.
On the player front, Brooks has welcomed former Bracknell fly-half Anton da Silva to the squad, as well as some promising home-grown talent.
He said: “We have brought in some youngsters and that’s good news for the future.
“There’s Danny Martin, who has played fantastically well this year. He’s very, very quick and sharp.
“We’ve also brought in Stuart MacKay, who’s done very well as well. And that’s not to mention the colts.
“Whenever they have been called upon they’ve shown lots of promise.”
There was also praise for winger Simon Cripps, who made an inspirational return to form this year, having been told he might never play rugby again less than 16 months ago, due to horrific burn injuries.
Brooks said: “He’s finished the season like the Crippo of old. He had a great game on Saturday.”
He added: “On a personal note I would like to thank Andy Barron for all his support, and Simon Edwards, who came in as backs coach late on.
“I’d also like to thank Paul Burns, who’s been captaining the 2nds He's such a solid club man.”