REPUTATIONS travel quickly in South West Division 1, but none so fast as that of Maidenhead’s Ray Malesala.
The 19-stone Samoan has only played eight games for Maids, but his name is already creating ripples in the West Country.
Tomorrow, Maidenhead take on Keynsham in a make or break season decider.
However, any hopes of using Malesala as a secret weapon have well and truly gone.
It seems Maidenhead’s massive 47-point victory over Swanage set the rumour mill running and, on Wednesday, Keynsham coach Jerry Barnes said he was keen to learn more about Maids’ new No.8.
He said: “Our assessor went to the Swanage game and he told me he was very impressive.”
Reading would certainly agree with that assessment, evidenced by their direct approach to Malesala after Saturday’s defeat at Braywick, when a high ranking official asked him what his plans were for next year.
The one problem with this new found celebrity is that other teams will now be making plans to deal with the considerable menace posed by the influential islander.
However, Maidenhead coach Simon Edwards will be delighted if Keynsham divert resources to deal with just one player, as it will free up the rest of the team to cause considerable mayhem.
He said: “Ray is a top class player, but it’s not just about Ray.
“He’s pulled the other players into the equation as well. When they all work together it’s one hell of a pack.”
The Maidenhead backrow is indeed gathering a reputation for its uncompromising approach, both in attack and defence.
But no one should underestimate the powerful and experienced tight-five, which comprises the speedy Cormac O’Byrne, now one of the club’s top try scorers, Allan Greene, Rob Wells and the inimitable Dance brothers Rene and Jody.
And there is no doubt it was the Maidenhead forwards who ended Reading’s promotion hopes on Saturday, as they smashed the wheels off the mighty Green Machine.
Edwards said: “It was a game we won in the first half. We didn’t allow them to play their game.
“Our forwards destroyed their forwards in the first 30 minutes.
“We hadn’t beaten Reading for 10 or 12 years. It’s a fantastic result for the club.” However, now comes the big one, as Maidenhead challenge for midtable status with that tough away clash with Keynsham tomorrow.
Victory would mean another season in South West 1, while defeat could mean demotion.
Edwards said: “It’s an interesting one and we are seeing it as a cup final.
“I believe if we win it we’re safe, so it’s a massive away game for us.
“We are the in form side at the moment. We’re scoring more points than anyone else and we’re conceding less.
“It’s a game we have targeted and it’s a game we can win.”
But Keynsham coach Jerry Barnes is also keen to extend his side’s recent run of results.
He added: “Our performances have been quite good in the last month or so. It should be an interesting game. We’re looking forward to it – and were looking for a win.”