League Leaders beaten

After establishing and early two try lead, the visitors looked to be consolidating their 100% league record before the Bracknell boys stormed back into the game in the second half, to take the win and deny Maidenhead their try bonus point for the first time this season.

Beginning the game full of confidence, Maidenhead started with scrum dominance and picked up the first points after only a few minutes, when their No8 picked up and drove over in the corner. From the touchline, the conversion was only narrowly missed.

With a deceptively strong wind at their backs, Maidenhead continued to apply pressure in all facets of the game, with both scrum and lineout working very well for them. For Bracknell, their backline defence was proving to be very strong with Oakley and Toby in the centres putting some good tackles in, and the boys were contesting the breakdowns very well with Alex G being particularly disruptive. It was though a rather defensive display, and when Maidenhead scored their second try at 10 minutes, it was difficult to recall the Bracknell three-quarters getting any ball at all.

As the half progressed though, Bracknell started to gain parity in the scrum, although they started to fall foul of the referee at the breakdowns which disrupted any momentum that they created. James launched one very good counter attack from the back, and Alex T went close after an exchange of passes with Joe. The last 5 minutes or so of the half saw some sustained pressure on the Maidenhead line, but good defence by the visitors and some more penalties conceded saw them keep their line intact until half time.

Despite the 0-10 scoreline, confidence was high and the second half started in a positive fashion, with some excellent driving play from the forwards, Ryan, Harvey and Lewis in particular, and some testing runs from Josh, Toby P and Oakley. With the testing wind, and James patrolling the back field very well, Maidenhead started to struggle to get out of their half.

The scrums were now working well, and the breakdown work, when on the right side of the ref, was starting to alter the momentum of the game. After a good driving run by Toby HS, backed up by Harvey, the ball was rushed quickly through the hands to the right where Alex burst onto the ball, and nipping past a couple of defenders brought the score back to 5-10.

Bracknell picked up an equalising try when good work by the forwards worked the ball into the Maidenhead 22m and after a couple of drives were repelled, the ball went wide through the two Josh’s to Toby P, who forced his way over despite several defenders best efforts. Josh J stroked over the conversion to take Bracknell into the lead for the first time (12-10).

Both teams stepped up their play after this and Maidenhead started carrying the ball with more purpose and power, but rather than go wide they relied on their heavy ball carriers down the centre of the pitch, where they were met with some sound defence from the whole team. The likes of Ryan, Fraser, Harvey, Lewis and Oakley being particularly enthusiastic with their tackles and un-stinting defensive work.

There was a feeling at this point that the next score would prove decisive and so it proved. With just 7 minutes to go, Alex picked up the ball just inside the Bracknell half on the right wing, and running diagonally across the pitch, beat numerous would-be tacklers to score close to the posts. Josh again converted to stretch the lead to 19-10.

Maidenhead again attacked furiously and pulled a try back with few minutes remaining, through some wholly uncharacteristic sloppy tackling. With just 4 points in the game, Maidenhead sensed the opportunity to grab the win, but roused by that late defensive lapse, the defence again stepped up – and forward - and the attackers were successfully repelled.

The game ended in appropriate fashion with a direct Maidenhead attack knocking the ball on when trying to drive through the Bracknell defence. The resultant scrum, which earlier had been creaking, was rock solid to secure the ball, and subsequently the game was ended with a kick to touch.

3 tries each was a fair reflection of the game’s balance, and whilst the 3 Bracknell scores were great individual efforts, the game was really won with the team’s superb defensive work, the forwards breakdown work particularly in the second half, and the scrum, which started off under considerable pressure but improved and strengthened throughout the game.

All the boys played a significant part in achieving the win, but the popular choice for Man of the Match, for his barnstorming display in attack and defence was Harvey.