The 1st game of a double header between the two best U18 squads in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, was a classic game of two halves. Both teams dominated with the breeze at their backs, but Bracknell took their chances.

Whilst this was a B fixture, the quality on display, from both teams suggested otherwise. Bracknell fielding players with plenty of 1st XV experience and 5 U16's started quickly, and attacked from the kick off, Dan Roux prominent. But mistakes were made, balls lost in contact, off loads forced which stifled their progress, and gave possession back to Maids.

Maids played an excellent half, they kicked and ran well, changing the point of attack, continually challenging Bracknell's defensive line. But the line held strong, Bracknell are tough cookies, hard to breakdown. Their eagerness to disrupt Maids progress at the breakdown led to multiple penalties, adjudged for being off their feet, but occasionally pulled through illegally.

Two well struck penalty kicks were scant reward for Maids dominance, they created opportunities, but failed to complete - this proved the difference.

Maids led 6-0 at half time, changes were made, with a large contingent of U16's entering the fray. The message was simple, stop forcing passes, look after the ball and play some phases. The script was written, the stage was set and the performance followed.

Retrieving the kick off, Bracknell ran their big lads around the fringes, Louis Morgan leading from the front. His brutal charges over the gain line, gave Bracknell momentum, and the backs the space they needed. The ball was released to the backs, Oli Radford, now at 10, his injection of pace, step and show drew two defenders to him. Alfie Thompson cut a line, hit the gap off a perfectly timed pass, he was away with 40 meters to go, the foot race was run. This was a super team try, a coaches dream. The conversion was expertly driven through the posts and Bracknell led 6-7.

Maids are also made of steely resolve and struck back almost immediately, the conversion was missed, and they led 11-7. Game on. Bracknell's Achilles heal returned, off their feet again over sailed the penalty to extend Maids lead to 14-7 on 50 minutes.

Bracknell began to string some phases together once again, creating space exploited by Tom Crashaw bursting forward deep into the Maids 22. The pressure built, and Phil Harrigan charged over like a raging bull. Whoever he flattened objected and handbags followed, as did two yellow cards! Oli converted to level the score at 14-14.

This was end to end stuff, Maids regained the lead in the 58th minute with another penalty. It was a great watch for the neutral, but tense for the rest of us!

Bracknell were now playing well structured, balanced rugby, striking hard and kicking behind the Maids defensive line. Turned and under pressure, Maids began to creak. Bracknell butchered, two gilt-edged chances with the line at their mercy, was it to be their day?

On 66 minutes, the deadlock was broken. A maids infringement was kicked to touch, and provided the attacking platform the lads needed, again Louis was leading the charge busting holes. The faltering Maids defence, was stretched with some slick handling and James Barratt used his pace and footwork to cross in the corner. Bracknell led 17-19, a narrow advantage with minutes to play

The final play saw Bracknell encamped on the Maids line, when Jack McGee picked from the base and executed a cross kick, which was taken by the Maids winger, he called a 'mark' and stopped, but the Bracknell kick chasers did not. The ball was stripped from the arms of the somewhat surprised Maids winger, and was dotted down by Callum Baker. Whilst many may have heard the 'mark' called, the only relevant set of lugs are pinned to the referee, who didn't. Play to whistle, how many times have we heard that one. The try was given, the conversion kicked and Bracknell won a superb game of rugby between two very good sides.

What was the difference? Simply taking your chances and playing to the whistle.