Maids turn on the heat

MAIDENHEAD eventually overcame a spirited Brixham side in the preliminary round of the Tetley’s Bitter Cup on Saturday, in sweltering conditions at Braywick Park.
Brixham shaded the first half, as the Maids’ half-backs Keenan and Barron struggled to find a smooth link to the backs, who failed to string together one decent passing move.
And, as Maidenhead dusted off their early season cobwebs, Brixham soon opened their account with a simple penalty from centre Atkinson.
A penalty by Maids’ full back Hawkins levelled the scores, but Atkinson then missed a good chance to put Brixham ahead again when his simple penalty attempt hit the upright
Up front, the Brixham forwards were winning plenty of ball and a smart line out catch and drive near the Maids’ line put hooker Stroud in for a good try, which Atkinson converted.
But, straight from the restart, the Maids came back, when a wheeled scrum enabled Mueller to pick up and feed Morgan, who ran in an excellent individual try. Hawkins converted, leveling the scores at 10 points each.
Good line out work by Paul Jones and Chad Millar kept Brixham at bay for the rest of the half, as did superb tackling by Peter Nisbet.
However, in the first half, neither Duncombe nor Blewitt received a pass from orthodox three quarter play, which was disappointing after the excellent back play the previous week.
Brixham began the second half in the same indomitable style but good breaks by Nisbet and Andy Barron were keeping the Maids in the chase.
Scrum half Keenan was struggling to deal with scrappy ball and indecision by Cripps and Hawkins over a high ball gave away another penalty, which was kicked by Atkinson to give Brixham the lead. 
Maidenhead came back yet again and appeared to have scored a good try, only to be called back for a forward pass and then awarded a penalty, which Hawkins converted.
The sweltering conditions were taking their toll and Bryant, O’Byrne and Ruddick came on for Miller, Morgan and Keenan. The fresh legs of O’Byrne made a strong run straight from the kick off, which took play into the Brixham half.
Ruddick sent out a huge pass to Barron, whose half-break set up a short penalty near the Brixham line from which the forwards drove Bryant over for a well-rehearsed try converted by Hawkins.
Maids suddenly began to look like winners and further penalty allowed Hawkins to extend the lead 23-13, but after a period of sustained pressure by Brixham they replied with a try of their own.
Hawkins eased the pressure by kicking a penalty to take a 26-18 lead and the Maids finally put the result beyond doubt when Blewitt sent Duncombe clear on the wing to outpace the cover and run under the posts, for Hawkins to convert.
Coach Simon Edwards was delighted to see the return of scrum half Ruddick, and the performances of regulars Miller, Morgan, Jones, Bryant, Rogers and Green.
Saturday’s win now means a trip to South West Division 1 rivals Barnstaple tomorrow (Saturday).