MAIDS know that with two league matches remaining the South West Division 2 East title is theirs for the taking, so long as they can maintain their focus in a fractured climax to the season.
Having endured a week off before Saturday’s 46-25 demolition of Wimborne, Maids now have a two week break before hosting Oakmeadians on April 3, before another week off ahead of the finale against local adversaries Marlow on April 17.
Although it’s a situation which Maids coach Simon Edwards expects his squad to cope with, he is not best pleased with the way the campaign fizzles out.
He said: “It’s a nonsense that we won’t finish until April 17. The breaks are ridiculous and the structure has been poorly thought through.
“I would rather play week in, week out and have a bigger break over Christmas.”
He added: “The problem is that most sides struggle after a week off – it lessens the intensity. It’s OK if you have a number of injuries, but if you have strength in depth as we do, you just want to keep on playing.”
Having said that at least Maids proved they can turn it on after a lay-off when for an hour they blitzed Wimborne on Saturday, as Edwards was only too happy to point out, saying: “Although the start was delayed and this was the type of fixture it’s easy to slip up on, we played really well.
“For an hour it was not a contest and only a couple of late tries, once we’d taken our foot off the pedal, gave the score some respectability.”
Edwards was also enthusiastic about new signing, scrum-half Ben Ayres, adding: “Ben got on towards the end and scored a try. He looked the type of player we expected him to be.
“He’s a different type of player from Ruddick, but both bring skills to the squad and can play in other positions. It all adds to the strength of the squad.”
Looking ahead to life in Division 1, Edwards was sure his side will be ready for the step up if all goes to plan.
He said: “I know what is needed to survive in Division 1 and we need two or three more players yet.
“I’ve been very proactive so far, and intend to remain so. In the past we have tended to wait for things to happen, but not any more.”

Maids do not have a game tomorrow (Saturday), but expect to have a friendly arranged for the following week.
On Sunday, Maids will travel to Reading Abbey, with a mixed squad, for a Berkshire Cup semi-final clash. Kick-off is 2.15pm.