Maidenhead U13A 45 - Newbury U13A 25

Newbury A put in a fine performance against the unbeaten league leaders at Maidenhead.

The home team got off to a good start with two early early tries, both of which came from turnover ball with the ball moved wide for the winger to race away and touch down. Despite the early set backs the Newbury forwards, with Luke Parkes and Luke Higgs well to the fore, started to win more ball and good passing by the Newbury backs resulted in centre James McFadzen waltzing over to open Newbury's account.

Maidenhead soon hit back with the No 8 charging through a number of tackles to add Maidenhead's 3rd try which was quickly followed by another Maidenhead forward breaking through to touch down.

From the resulting kick off Ed Rimmer struck a long kick off deep into the Maidenhead 22m area, whch was knocked forward by the Maids full back. Rex Harryman, Newbury's hooker, sweetly struck the ball in the scrum, Newbury's No. 8 Luke Parkes picked up at the base of the scrum drew the defender and fed scrum half Alex Sparkes to touch down. Just on half time Maidenhead intercepted a wayward pass deep in their own half and ran through unopposed to add their 5th try of the half and a 33 -10 lead.

Newbury came out for the second half all guns blazing and opened the scoring when Connor Burns (Newbury's Man of the Match) made a scything run through the heart of the defence for James McFadzen to crash over for his second score. With the Newbury forwards competing well at the breakdown the Newbury backs saw more of the action and after an excellent break out of defence by Robbie Lancaster the ball was quickly recycled by the Newbury flankers, Adam Harris and Jonah Rossiter, moved quickly along the backs and winger Peter side-stepped and outsprinted his opposite number to score in the corner.

Maidenhead added a good team try before good counter-rucking by Alex Forsythe and Rory McNeil set up good ball with the resulting grubber kick being scooped up by Ollie Hassell-Collins who drove through the defender to score.

The last play of the match saw the Maidenhed Flanker pick up a loose ball and smash through a succession of players to add the final score.

Newbury's performance was very encouraging with some strong runs by Alex Zenda and Stephen Ansell featuring prominently on his second half introduction. Newbury fought back strongly in the second half and in a 12 try match scored 5 tries against the league leaders which were all scored from good teamwork.

The onset of the league season has been a tough baptism for the Newbury side. However, the spirit shown by the players in fighting their way back in both games will serve them well for the remainder of the season.