Bournemouth v maidenhead

First Half:

The match began with the Lions kicking off, playing from left to right. Maidenhead was quick to open the scoring with a try, taking an early lead of 0-5, which they successfully converted to make it 0-7.

However, the Lions quickly retaliated with a try of their own, scored by Jordie Wayman, bringing the score level at 7-7 after Grant Hancox’s successful conversion.

Maidenhead had a chance to take the lead with a penalty, but their No. 10’s kick hit the post, keeping the score tied at 7-7.

The first 15 minutes of the game saw Maidenhead dominating possession, but the Lions’ defence held strong.

A driving maul from a Lions lineout led to a yellow card for Maidenhead. The Lions capitalized on this advantage, and Joe Desmond scored a try by the posts, putting the Lions ahead 12-7 after Hancox’s conversion.

Maidenhead quickly responded with a try down the line, making it Lions 14, Maidenhead 12. The successful conversion levelled the score at 14-14.

Maidenhead won a penalty from the kick-off, but the Lions secured the ball from a lineout and launched another attack.

Scrum half Harry Warr went down injured, leading to Grant Hancox moving to scrum half and Adam Higgins entering the pitch.

The Lions continued to attack, winning another penalty from a lineout. Louis Allum scored his first try for the Lions, and with Hancox’s conversion, the score moved to 21-14.

Maidenhead had another chance from a penalty, but the Lions’ defence held strong. However, the Lions conceded another penalty, leading to a Maidenhead penalty kick, making it Lions 21, Maidenhead 17 at halftime. With 3 tries to 2, the game was finely balanced and could go either way.

Second Half:

The second half began with the Lions kicking off. Maidenhead secured the ball but lost it forward, leading to a Lions scrum.

The Lions launched a spirited attack off the scrum out wide, but a kick forward by Ryan Morrell didn’t go their way, bouncing out to touch.

Maidenhead secured the ball, but the Lions conceded a penalty for a high tackle, resulting in a team warning from the ref. Maidenhead kicked to touch but the Lions secured the ball.

The Lions looked promising in attack but conceded another penalty for holding on. The Lions cleared the ball to touch, but the throw was over, and Joe Desmond secured the ball for the Lions.

Maidenhead knocked the ball on, leading to a scrum for the Lions. The Lions secured the ball and quickly moved it out wide to Ryan Morrell, who scored, earning the Lions an early bonus point. However, the conversion was missed, and the score stood at Lions 26, Maidenhead 17.

A knock-on at the restart gave Maidenhead possession, but they knocked the ball on near the Lions’ line, resulting in a Lions scrum.

The Lions won a penalty for a high tackle, kicking it to touch near the halfway line. However, they lost the lineout and conceded another penalty for a high tackle, resulting in a yellow card for Henry Turner. Maidenhead was awarded a penalty on the halfway line, which they kicked to touch.

Maidenhead secured the ball and moved it out to the wing, where they scored. The successful conversion brought the score to Lions 26, Maidenhead 24.

Maidenhead kicked off short, and after a scrum, they attacked down the middle of the pitch, eventually scoring under the posts and taking the lead at Lions 26, Maidenhead 31.

The Lions improved after the kick off, and Maidenhead secured the ball, kicking to clear their lines. The Lions lost the lineout, but Maidenhead was back in attack.

Maidenhead knocked the ball on, and the Lions won the scrum, but a loose ball left the Lions vulnerable. However, they managed to maintain possession, and with great teamwork down the wing, they regained the lead with a debut try by Nathan Duffield. Hancox’s challenging conversion was successful, making it Lions 33, Maidenhead 31.

The Lions were back in attack, and Maidenhead conceded a penalty, with one of their players receiving a yellow card. The Lions opted for the scrum, winning another penalty and choosing the scrum again. This time, the scrum was successful, and the ball was quickly passed out to Ryan Morrell, who scored another try. Hancox’s conversion was good, extending the lead to Lions 40, Maidenhead 31.

Maidenhead was feeling the pressure and kicked off, but the ball went back to halfway for a Lions scrum.

The game became a bit scrappy from both sides, and the Lions conceded another penalty in their own half, resulting in a yellow card for Adam Higgins. Players on both teams were feeling the effects of the heat and the game’s tempo.

Maidenhead opted for the scrum, but the ball went onto the pitch, seemingly missed by the ref, allowing Maidenhead to secure the ball. After a few phases of play, Maidenhead reached the line to score. However, the conversion was missed, leaving the score at Lions 40, Maidenhead 36 with only a few minutes remaining.

Ben Meaden went down injured after the kick off, and it appeared to be a serious injury, but he was able to sit up and communicate. He was supported off the pitch. The game resumed with a scrum, and the last few minutes were tense.

The full-time score was 40-36 in favour of the Lions in a closely contested and thrilling match. Well done to all the Lions players but a special congratulations to Nathan Duffield and Louis Allum on scoring their first tries for the Lions! Welcome to Bournemouth to those players making their debut in a Bournemouth shirt. A big shoutout to Ben Meaden for his exceptional performance, earning him the title of Man of the Match. It’s clear he made a significant impact on the game.

Lastly congratulations to Maidenhead in making the first games of the season a spectacle. We look forward to the seeing you at the end of the season in the reverse fixture.

Looking ahead, the Lions will face Bracknell in their next game on September 9th. It promises to be another exciting match, where we’ll be eagerly awaiting the team’s performance. Good luck to the Lions in their upcoming game!