maidenhead v Bournemouth

Team Selection: There were two changes to the backs that played in the Brighton game: At full back, Ryan Morrell was replaced by Josh Wickens and at IS centre Grant Hancox’s place was taken by the returning Adam Higgins, now recovered from injury. Just one change in the forwards: Ademuwagun Anjolaoluwa was replaced by Ben Goodall, coming of the bench. Two other changes on the bench: The returning Oli Grainger-Williams replaced Josh Wickens and the also returning Ken Sasu replaced Ben Goodall.

The weather was thankfully over cast with no sun, with a noticeable wind blowing right/left as viewed from the stand. Under foot, the pitch looked in good nick, all amounting to perfect conditions for a game of rugby football.

The ‘Come-back’ Kids Edge a Thriller

What an astonishing match. Sharing 12 tries and Bournemouth overcoming a match-losing deficit. Bournemouth, after early pressure tested the Maidenhead defence, were stunned by two tries from deep inside their own half, outdone by the electrifying pace of the Maidenhead left winger, found themselves 19-nil down after just 18 minutes. Bournemouth managed to get on the score board with a converted try but conceded a fourth try after half-an-hour. Despite responding almost immediately with a try of their own, Bournemouth conceded a fifth try in extra time of that first half to go into the break 14-29 down. A ‘three-score’ lead, a challenging situation you might say.

Scrum-half Harry pegged the home side back with a penalty early in the second half to leave the scores at 17-29. Then in an astonishing 15 minutes of play, Bournemouth scored three tries to take the lead for the first time at 34-29. Maidenhead were not yet done, with five minutes left they scored their sixth try of the afternoon to regain the lead at 36-34. Two minutes later Bournemouth struck back for them, in turn, to regain the lead at 39-36. With referee De Weyman playing six minutes of extra time those last nine minutes of play were highly stressful for the Bournemouth supporters, but the lads held on for what can only be described as a welcome ‘away’ win.

Bournemouth move up one place to 7th on 40 points. Maidenhead remain 4th on 57 points having played 20 games, one more than Bournemouth.

Fixtures Next Week – February 25:

Banbury v Camberley, Bracknell v London Welsh, Brighton v Sutton & Epsom, Royal Wootton Bassett v Oxford Harlequins.

Bournemouth’s next match is home to London Welsh, Saturday, March 4, KO 3.00PM.

Doug Warren, Bournemouth RFC.