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Maidwell 30 Stamford 10
This was a good win and a satisfying way in which to kick off the new rugby term. The boys showed plenty of spirit and enough skill to suggest that this should be a decent season, provided they keep working hard and looking to improve. The main difference between the sides was that we tackled better. We took the game to our hosts from the off and enjoyed a lot of possession in their half, scoring two tries before the break. Although Stamford came back at us and scored a couple of their own, we always looked in control and ran in four more good touchdowns. Felix Holland-Bosworth bobbed and weaved his way through for two tries, while forward Hugo Ross-Wilson powered his way over for a brace of his own. Max Wilson and Harry Simpson also registered for Maidwell but all the boys deserve credit for a good team effort.
Maidwell 5 Winchester House 31
Against strong opposition, we gave our hosts too much respect in the first period. The Winchester forwards, in particular, bossed the half, turning over our scrums and winning plenty of ball for their backs to run in three tries. Our boys received a lesson in support play and setting the ball up properly in the rucks. The pleasing thing was that after the break we improved in all these areas. Our forwards got more stuck in and we began to enjoy a lot more possession in their half, Felix Holland-Bosworth scoring a consolation. But for a breakaway try, we could have claimed a second-half ‘draw’. If we can continue to learn like this from the good sides we play against, progress should be rapid.
Maidwell 30 Stoneygate 0
This was a strong performance from the off, and the signs were good when our pack turned over the first scrum of the match. It was the forwards, and particularly Timothy Macnaughtan, who caught the eye on this occasion, with their power in the rucks and set-pieces too much for our visitors. Max Pettifer capped a good individual display with two tries and centre Harry Simpson used his pace to add two of his own. There were also tries for Felix Holland-Bosworth and a much-deserved first of the season for scrum-half Thomas Fountain. A great result, but we need to keep improving, especially our passing and positioning in the backs.
Maidwell 52 Swanbourne 0
The complete performance, full of power, passion and poise. The boys executed the gameplan to perfection, outplaying their opponents in the tackling, rucking and running departments. I was as delighted with the ‘nil’ as with the eight tries. When Swanbourne had a real go at the start of the second-half, penning us inside our own 5-metre line, our boys gave every ounce of effort to hold them up on the try line and maintain that clean sheet. All this, despite playing for an hour in sweltering heat. The passing out in the backs was much-improved. Felix Holland-Bosworth continued his rich vein of form with a hat-trick, Monty Fenwicke-Clennell scored twice to cap a fine individual performance and there were also tries for Harry Hill, Timothy Macnaughtan, who was outstanding again, and skipper Max Wilson. Harry Stroud kicked six conversions. It was a long journey home – but it was worth it.
Maidwell 0 Spratton 35
Despite a bright start, during which our forwards did well and won a lot of loose ball, we ended up well beaten by a Spratton side with superior handling skills and more pace when running with the ball. Our visitors’ backs passed the ball out wide beautifully, playing attacking rugby as it is meant to be played, but they also closed the space and tackled better. We never looked like breaking through their defences. For the first time this season, the boys let their heads drop a little so we will need to work hard in order to bounce back on Wednesday.
Maidwell 54 Great Houghton 0
After the disappointment of Spratton, it was good to bounce back, and in some style too. The forwards have arguably been our strength this season, but this was a match in which the backs stole the show. At times the passing out wide was a joy to behold. Winger Will Shields-Porterfield scored his first ever try for Maidwell and it was one to remember, the result of some intelligent passing play, a real ‘team try’. The other scorers were Harry Hill, Monty Fenwicke-Clennell (2), Max Wilson, Thomas Worrall and Matthew Anscomb (2), who also converted seven out of the eight tries.
Maidwell 7 Bilton Grange 7
This was a fiercely contested match and a draw was a fair enough result. Thomas Worrall slalomed his way through for a fine individual try to equalise after Bilton had opened the scoring. Matthew Anscomb added the conversion. I was very proud of my boys’ fighting spirit and we arguably had the better chances to win the game in the second-half, not least when Alfie Farr charged down a kick in the dying seconds, only for the ball to bounce agonisingly over the dead ball line.
Maidwell 14 Witham Hall 14
A keenly fought game; Maidwell had the advantages of strength and skill and were clearly the stronger side, having possession for 75% of the game. Max Pettifer scrored an excellent try, as did Monty FC. Matthew Anscomb kept his nerve and converted both successfully. Well done to the following for their unofficial tries: Matthew Anscomb, Alfie Farr and Monty FC! I was impressed at their performance, they played intelligently all the way through. Well done boys!
Maidwell 35 Akeley Wood 5
At first appearance it seemed that the match would be a slightly one-sided affair due to the generally larger size of the Maidwell boys, a rare sight; however Akeley Wood came out determined and physical. Maidwell were the exact opposite, their ball movement and discipline were poor and all too many times the boys were selfish in attack, this led to the score being 10 – 5 at the break. After some stern words at half time the boys switched on and started playing as a team instead of individuals, as a result they were able to string together a great run of tries despite fierce Akeley resistance. The end score being 35 -5 in Maidwell's favour.
Maidwell 0 Bedford Prep 17
The final score is very misleading as to the nature of the match. Maidwell dominated the first 15 minutes of the match, with five minutes of that on the Bedford try line. Poor decision making by some and a highly commendable line defensive effort by Bedford prevented Maidwell from putting any points on the board. At the end of the half Bedford had two runaway tries due to poor backline defence from our boys. Maidwell refused to drop their heads however and came out blaring once again, pressuring the Bedford try line, and yet again unable to benefit from all the pressure. With ten minutes to go the boys began to drop their heads and the tide of the game switched, Bedford put on another try and this time complimented it with a conversion. Overall a commendable effort by all boys in their last game of the season.
Maidwell 47 Wellingborough 10
It was great to finish what has been a successful and enjoyable season for the Colts Bs with a resounding win. We were quickly into our stride, running in three early tries before Wellingborough had remembered how to tackle. Particularly pleasing were the passing out in the backs and some strong, fast running with the ball. Although we conceded a couple of sloppy tries either side of half-time, we always looked capable of outscoring our opponents. Harry Simpson scored a terrific hat-trick, running at electric pace from full-back. Tom Worrall got two and there were also one apiece for Matthew Anscomb – who converted six of the seven – and Alfie Farr who finished after a flowing team move. |