Maidenhead 14-24 Weston

Maidenhead14-24 Weston
Weston have threatened to produce a performance like this for several weeks in a row but today was the day when they put all the pieces together and at a venue famous for its home record. Maidenhead normally expect to win on heir home 3G pitch and indeed last time Weston visited they were on the losing side and conceded a significant score.
Weston were on the front foot from the start and after 12 minutes, following excellent work by the fowards in the right corner, and close to the home try line, a perfectly timed move by the backs put Howman in at the right corner. Chapmans conversion attempt from close to the touchline hit the upright and bounced away
Weston snuffed out all attacks form Maidenhead and forced errors with their line speed and accurate tackling. Following good work by forwards and backs combined bringing Weston close to the try line and with quickly recycled ball Talbot drove over, after an earlier attempt was judged to have been held up. The conversion attempt went wide but Weston had opened a 10 point lead.
Maidenhead exerted tremendous forward pressure and worked their way to within striking distance of the Weston try line. The home side forwards drove relentlessly from a 5 metre line out and crossed the line. They were held up and in the next phase Weston turned the ball over and Talbot broke free, made 20 metres it his powerful run. The Weston forwards were in close support and, having sucked in a number of defenders, won one more phase, and two passes later Mackay ran into space, ran clear of defending forwards and ran round the last defender to score a wonderful individual try on the back of great work by the whole team. Chapmans conversion took the half time score to 0 -17.
The second half was more of the same and it took Maidenhead 23 minutes and a huge effort to break Weston’s defence and score a converted try.
Weston’s pack was now completely in control and as the play moved inside the final 10 minutes and following a penalty Weston went for a line out 5 metres out. A clean catch from Russell was driven towards the line and hooker Mike Hocking touched down the bonus point try, converted by Chapman.
Weston continued to blunt the impact of the Maidenhead forwards and negated their off loading. Credit to the home side who didn’t give up and in the third minute of injury time Maidenhead were awarded a penalty which was tapped by their scrum half and passed to the left wing who crossed and scored a late consolation try which was converted leaving Weston deserved winners.
This was a great team performance played at pace by a team who worked for each other, new their individual roles and collectively produced a display that most teams in South West Premier would struggle to contain. They have set the bar high and will need to match this level in the coming weeks.
This five point win lifts them to 11th place and within reach of 7th. The club motto “ever forward” is apt.