MAIDENHEAD were obviously fired up for Saturday’s crunch encounter with Bridgwater & Albion, and it turns out the Advertiser played a key role.
In last week’s sports section, Bridgwater’s head of rugby Jim Trowbridge threw down the gauntlet to Maidenhead coach Simon Edwards saying: “We’re coming to get you.”
Always on the look out for motivational ploys, Edwards photocopied the article, enlarged it and had it pasted up on the changing-room walls before the match.
The plan clearly worked, as Maids turned in one of their gutsiest performances of the year.
However, Edwards was not finished with his West Country guests just yet.
He explained: “Five minutes before the end of the game I sent one of my staff down and got him to stick the articles up in the Bridgwater changing room, so their coach could read it as well.
“They were very, very upset. It’s the end of their season. That’s their play-off spot gone, so their coach wasn’t very happy at all.”
Although the 18-stone 6ft 7in former British Lion Andy Reed is perhaps not the best person to upset.
However, mischief making apart, the result was a milestone for Maidenhead, and sends a clear warning to the rest of the league.
An excited Edwards said: “It was like Chinnor all over again, but better, because Bridgwater are a better side. But the best thing is, we scored more than 30 points without controlling any of the first phase ball.
“We hardly won a lineout and we were going backwards in almost every scrum. Bridgwater are just lucky we didn’t fire on all cylinders.”
However, now the euphoria has begun to die down, Edwards must get his players focused for tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) trip to Swanage & Wareham.
The Dorset side are second from bottom in the league, but Edwards is not underestimating the size of the task.
He said: “It’s the biggest game of the season for us. It’s massive.
“If they lose that’s the end for them, but it’s a must win game for us.
“I just hope the supporters understand that and get down there to support us.”
Kick-off is at 2.30pm, at the club’s ground in Wareham, Dorset.