In a tight, tight contest played on the all weather pitch at Maidenhead, Cents showed how far they have come in a season and will feel disappointed not to have taken more from this match.

The game was a close affair from start to finish. Maids missed an early penalty attempt but from the restart Cents worked their way methodically into enemy territory. The forwards recycled quick ball from which their backs attacked with purpose. Rose proved to be a perpetual thorn in the Maids side attacking with speed and purpose, supported well by Gornall-King showing trade mark aggression. It was from a fine break by HGK that Rose continued the move, offloading well for Hunt to score a try down the right. The try was well converted by Mozejko.

The first half was an ebb and flow of play as both sides tried in vain to gain the upper hand. With time ticking away Maids attacking endeavours were rewarded when they scored from close range, unconverted, to make it 5 - 7. Hooker Tichband played the Hokey Cokey for much of the match trying to balance his desire to play with a knee muscle strain, finally succoming to the injury later in the second half. Cents set piece generally functioned well and forwards worked hard for each other and doing the “hard yards” in the close exchanges. Jones looked particularly effective in the loose and the back three of Hunt, Dias and Brown harrassed and harried for all they were worth.

Half time 5 - 7. All to play for. Jelly babies and smarties were chomped. Coaches were nervous; in this day and age this could be an illegal combination…….

The second half was as close and entertaining as the first had been. 10 minutes in HGK scored to round off a prolonged period of pressure by the Cents. Unconverted.

The home side began to show signs of pressure conceding two yellow cards during the game, although stepping up a gear each time this happened. There were a serious of injuries, hopefully none too serious, which tended to disrupt play during the second half. Both side attacking through their backs when they could. Debutant scrum half Ridge looked lively for the Cents, providing his hard working 10, Leicester, with good ball from which to work. Mozejko, playing out of position on the wing, had a superb kicking game, hoofing the ball up to touchline on a number of occasions to relieve pressure.

With 10 minutes to go Cents coaches were gnawing fingers and comparing grey hairs. Come on boys….

With 8 minutes to go, and again after a period when Cents struggled to clear their 22, Maids scored and converted to make it 12 - 12. Hunt finally gave in to neck muscle damage which necessitated an overhaul of positions. Rose had his now accostomed few moments of glory at No 6. With time running out Maids were awarded a penalty in a very kickable position which they slotted comfortably. The final whistle went moments after the re-start.

This had been a fine game of rugby between two well matched sides. A fine squad display by the Centaurs who played with purpose and discipline. Many thanks to referee Lee, who did a great job. Well done to joint men of the match Rose and Leicester, and a final well played to Fergus Ridge who had a very good game in his first match for the Mighty Cents.

Quotes of the day;
Coach Tichband; “wipe out de weff”, as ref Lee went A over T at the back of a scrum!
Flanker Brown; post match 3G pitch comment; “still picking those little black balls out of certain places!”
Skipper Oakley; post match comment from home; “I’m dropping them all over the floor. Someone thought there were rabbits here"