Cents yield to league leaders after dominating game in first 20 minutes.

If matches were 20 minutes long ...... Mighty Cents to petition RFU for immediate law change!

Redingensians Centaurs 27 - 60 Maidenhead 2’s.

Which bright spark decree’d that matches be 80 minutes long? It’s a nonsense. With immediate effect the RFU will be approached in a constructive, consultative and caring sort of way to reduce games to just 20 minutes.
Seriously - with 20 minutes of this game elapsed Cents were winning 10 - 0 against top of the table Maids 2’s. An early penalty from distance was stroked well by J Dias. A prolonged period of fine rugby by the home side resulted in a well deserved try for Rae when the defence opened up and he cut a great running line which was spotted by fly half Leicester who popped a well weighted pass to him. Converted by J Dias. Things looked good; the forwards setting up good ball for the backs and the backs attacking with intent.

Maids are not top of the league by luck. They quickly upped the anti, with small numbers committed to the ruck they were able to have plenty of players up in support and this eventually began to tell. They scored 3 fairly quick tries, two when they had numbers out wide and one from a speculative kick forward that the home side failed to deal with. Only one was converted, making it 10 - 17, but shortly before half time from an attacking scrum Maids scored their fourth of the afternoon which was converted to make it 10 - 24 at half time.
A quick re-group took place at half time.

Maids scored first in the second half when a number of missed tackles allowed them in. Unconverted. The home side then burst into life, playing with more confidence. J Dias hit the post with one penalty attempt before slotting a second. Shortly after the restart winger Casey scored a fine solo try when he blasted down the right wing from inside his own half to score under the posts. Converted by J Dias to make it 20 - 29. Game on!

With injuries mounting Cents played positional chess and things became very fragmented. Maids ran in further tries but in amongst them was a peach of a try from Casey. Scrum half Gough placed a pin point cross kick in from just inside the opposition half and Casey ran on to gather and score under the posts and converted by J Dias.

For the first 20 minutes the Cents had played some of the best rugby they have strung together this season. It certainly gave the league leaders a wake up call. Onwards and upwards; we learn from our short comings and continue to build on our many strengths.

Thanks once again to the home support, very much appreciated. Thanks to physio Elaine and flag dud Geoff. Great nosh after too!