Maidenhead soar to the top of Regional 1 South Central after beating Bracknell

Bracknell 14, Maidenhead 29

Maidenhead RFC were able to follow up their thumping opening day victory against London Welsh with an equally impressive result against home side Bracknell this afternoon (Saturday).

Drew Prince and Antonio Kiri Kiri both picked up tries in a fairly cagey first 40 minutes before Niall Crosley and a mass of bodies rolled over the line in the second half to secure a bonus point win.

In addition, Greg Smith booted four conversions and, as a result, Maids rise to first place in the Regional 1 South Central.

“To come away from one of the big rivals in Berkshire as victors is great,” said head coach Mobbs-Smith at full-time.

“We had to absorb a hell of a lot of pressure from Bracknell. They’re a big pack and they put us under the cosh a lot.

“Even though they won last week, they were significantly better today, and their attacking was spot on.

“I’m very happy for us walk away as 29-14 winners.”

Some days are special away bonus point win ⁦⁦@bracknellrugby⁩ ⁦⁦@maidsrfc⁩ in full song pic.twitter.com/YI3CbaB96A

— David Mobbs-Smith (@Mobbsy11) September 10, 2022

Despite a handful of changes made to the line-up that triumphed at Braywick Park last weekend, Maids were still able to begin this encounter on the front foot.

In fact, it took just five minutes for them to open the scoring as Prince weaved his way through to the try line on the right side of the pitch.

Disappointingly, there were to be no extras added by Smith on this occasion.

With their hands still firmly on the ball, Maidenhead made enough yards for the fly-half to try his luck with a penalty kick in the 16th minute – the attempt sent narrowly wide of the posts.

Approaching the half-hour mark, Bracknell recouped possession and, following Ollie Radford’s missed penalty kick, were able to take the lead with a try and successful conversion.

Before Maids’ next points came, they had to engage in a scrum close to the home side’s try line.

Upon winning the battle, Kiri Kiri picked up the ball and drove it forcefully over the line to get his side back into the ascendancy. Smith’s conversion made the score 7-12 at the break.

Bracknell began the second half much brighter but were hard-pressed against a mean Maids defence which thwarted any passage to the try line.

Ken Hodgson got the home support’s hopes up when he stormed up the pitch and towards the 22 before eventually being brought down.

Prince was then able to match his efforts with a determined counter-attack only for his pass to a teammate mis-timed and the ball turned over to Maids’ opposition.

Too slippery for any Maids player to bring down, Noah Cannon manoeuvred Lily Hill Park with intent in the 53rd minute before he offloaded to Alex Frame to touch down a try.

Miraculously clipping the right post on the way in, Radford’s conversion gave Bracknell a slender 14-12 lead.

Undeterred and urged on by Mobbs-Smith on the sidelines, Maids dived head first back into their hosts’ half with Prince at the fore.

Brought down just under the posts, the left wing was celebrating in the 66th minute when teammate Crosley got the ball over the line.

The added extras from Smith got Maidenhead back into the driving seat of this contest.

With time running out, Bracknell threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Mobbs-Smith’s men, yet the team remained composed and connected.

Prince added three points for Maids late on with a penalty kick that on the bar before going through the posts.

And in what must have been the 11th minute of added time, the side were able to grab another seven from a bundled try and brilliant conversion.

Some game management thereafter ensured another positive afternoon for Maidenhead who have taken to their new division like a house on fire.

Next up for them is a home tie against Royal Wootton Bassett.