MAIDENHEAD’S last-gasp victory over Swanage on Saturday brought back sad memories for the visitors, who lost to an 80th minute Hawkins’ conversion 13 months ago.
However, the last-minute nature of the win will also have stirred some deep anxieties in the minds of the Maids.
Last year, Hawkin’s boot papered over the cracks in a poor allround team performance and Saturday’s win was in much the same vein.
Even coach Simon Edwards was critical of his players, saying he had expected more, especially from the youngsters.
He said: “In the first half-hour we produced some very good chances and should have been 20 points ahead by half-time.
“I thought we started very well. We drove two mauls 10 to 15 yards from lineouts and both were pulled down yards from the line.
“I was disappointed not to be awarded a penalty try or at least a penalty.
“But in the second half we were second best. We seemed to forget how we were trying to play the game.”
Edwards apportioned much of the blame to Maidenhead’s bruising derby match against Reading last week, but singled out his backs for not doing their share of the work.
He said: “I think some of it was because of the Reading game. The elder statesmen on our team were still a bit tired, but that sort of performance just isn’t good enough if we want to win the league. A better side would have beaten us.
“But I’m more than disappointed with some of the younger players. We have one of the best packs in the league, but we mustn’t forget we now have potentially one of the best back divisions. They should have done more.”
With a narrow loss and a narrow win behind him, Edwards is now looking to move up the table with an away win over Bridgwater, on Saturday.
He said: “If we can play poorly and still win it’s a good sign. If we’re on top of our game we can go down there on Saturday and get a result.”