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V Winchester House
Maidwell 5 Winchester House 35
This was our first match of the season, and for some boys their first ever. Despite the scoreline, I was very pleased with all the boys and there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. George Pease, Hugh Buxton and Finn Lydiard-Wilson were strong in the scrum; Alexander Palmer’s powerful running earned him a halftime promotion to the A's; scrum-half Charles Granby’s sterling efforts were rewarded with a fine try; Archie Clifton-Brown and Joseph Ayoub impressed me with their strong tackling; and William Holborow did a good job of organising people into position.
It was also pleasing that the whole year group had an opportunity to represent the school, with Toby Phillips, Sam Boscawen, Sebastian Prentice, Cassian Ferrari and Archie Forsyth also featuring. I feel that, given more time to practise our tackling, we will come back stronger in our next match, in three weeks’ time.
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V Swanbourne House
Maidwell 15 Swanbourne 15
The work done on the training field since our last match paid off with a more satisfying performance and a result to match. The tackling and rucking were improved, whilst our passing will be better next time. All the boys played a part – it was a real 'team performance'.
We dominated the early stages, with plenty of possession in our opponents’ half. It paid dividends when Oliver Peppiatt ran over for our first try. Swanbourne’s response was strong and they soon equalised. In the second half, we went ahead again, with Archie Forsyth going over in style – he had only just come on as sub! Again, Swanbourne battled back, with a quality equaliser. We took the lead for the third time in the match, Oliver scoring his second try of the match. Unfortunately, the home side caught us cold at a set piece, deep into our half, with the forward who took the catch at the line-out touching down in the corner.
It was a fair result and we have plenty of positives to build on, with two matches in two days coming up after half-term.
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V Stoneygate
Maidwell 35 Stoneygate 5
This team's steady improvement continues with a thoroughly deserved win; our first of the season. The passing is getting better, gradually, and, barring our opponents’ only try, the tackling was again good. It was satisfying, too, that all twelve boys played some part in the match. There were hat-tricks from both Oliver Peppiatt and Joseph Ayoub, who both impressed, and a very good try by Toby Phillips. I was also pleased with the tackling of Cassian Ferrari and Archie Clifton-Brown. All the boys deserve credit for their enthusiasm and the progress they are making. It is very pleasing to get that first victory under our belts. It should give the boys confidence with several more tough games ahead.
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V Beachborough
Maidwell 10 Beachborough 10
We went into this match in confident mood, on the back of our first win of the season, just twenty-four hours earlier. However, I felt that the boys’ energy levels suffered, somewhat, during today’s game, as a result of two matches in two days. We took the lead twice, with good tries from Finn Lydiard-Wilson and Alex Palmer, but were pegged back on both occasions, due to some tired tackling. The boys are learning to pass more often, now, which is making for some slightly more free-flowing rugby. We have two weeks before our next fixture, so it’s back to the training pitch in the mean time!
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V Akeley Wood
Maidwell 5 Akeley Wood 35
This performance was by no means as disappointing as the heavy scoreline suggests. We had a lot of possession, much of it in the opposition half, but were repelled by strong tackling or held up in the maul. When we did begin to pass it out to the backs, we were let down by a lack of support or cold fingers! Our initial tactic of 'give it to Palmer' yielded only one try. The main difference between the sides, however, was the tackling. I cannot fault the attitude or effort of the boys. Sometimes you just have to give credit to strong opponents.
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V Bedford Prep
Maidwell 0 Bedford 60
We have to hold our hands up and admit that we were soundly thrashed by Bedford on Saturday. They were well-drilled and talented and, above all, bigger and stronger than us. Timidity got the better of one or two of our boys who were consequently afraid to put in the tackles or close down the spaces. I thought that Joseph Ayoub, cheered on by his older brothers, was excellent, displaying bravery and determination in the face of adversity. Despite his size, Cassian Ferrari continues to impress me with his effort in the tackle. The rest of the boys cannot be faulted for effort and enthusiasm, but we will keep being punished by such strong opposition, as long as we do not make those tackles.
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V Spratton Hall
Maidwell 15 Spratton 20
Having been soundly beaten in our last two matches, the boys responded magnificently to my call for a more gritty and determined performance. We began the game very strongly, with plenty of possession in opposition territory and should have had more than an Alex Palmer try to show for it. Instead of building on this good start, we allowed Spratton back in it, some sloppy tackling – our Achilles’ heel, this season – and overcomitting men in the maul allowing them to run in three first half tries.
The start of the second half mirrored that of the first and Toby Phillips finally got the chance to use his pace and reduce the arrears to one score. Unfortunately, Spratton got the next try, and time was running out. We pushed once again and George Pease went agonisingly close. Shortly after, George did score and we threw the kitchen sink at it, to no avail.
It was a much more spirited performance and I felt very sorry for them that they came away with another defeat for their efforts.
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V Bilton Grange
Maidwell 45 Bilton Grange 0
Having been on the receiving end of some hidings, recently, this match made a pleasant change. It was important for morale to gain such a positive result. Above all, it was very satisfying that boys who had not previously seen much of the action took the opportunity to contribute to the success of the team.
Alex Palmer set the tone for the afternoon with a try in the opening seconds. We were 25 – 0 up by half time and I was able to rotate the squad. Alex scored another and there were tries for Joseph Ayoub, William Holborow, George Pease, Sam Boscawen (2), Archie Clifton-Brown and Archie "Twinkletoes" Forsyth! It says much for the courage and determination of the group that we have bounced back so well.
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V Stamford
Maidwell 50 Stamford 50
Owing to a lack of numbers on Stamford’s part, this match was six-a-side, which meant there was lots of space for a very open game, as the scoreline suggests!
It was end-to-end stuff, like basketball, at times. We tackled quite well, especially Charles Granby, George Pease and Cassian Ferrari. There were tries for Sam Boscawen, Archie Forsyth, Hugh Buxton and Toby Phillips. Charles and George both got hat-tricks.
It was a fair result and a fitting way to end the season. The boys have come on in leaps and bounds this term. For many, it was a first taste of rugby. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching them and am confident that they will form a very good side for Maidwell, over the years to come.
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