Henley 3s 10-42 Maidenhead 2s 

By David Lewis

After a difficult start to the season due to injuries throughout the club and being obliged to provide players to the higher teams, the Henley 3’s were able to field a full side plus substitutes against Maidenhead 2nd team last Saturday.  Maidenhead’s 1st team play in the league above Henley’s 1st team, so a tough match could only be expected from their 2nds.

On what was a perfect afternoon at Dry Leas for playing rugby, with bright sun and a firm pitch, Maidenhead were quick to attack from Henley’s kick-off.  Henley have been used to scoring very promptly over the last two seasons but now matters were reversed and Maidenhead scored within less than five minutes.  Henley were simply caught off-guard by the well drilled Maidenhead.

However, Henley both defended and attacked well for the next quarter of an hour and made several promising breaks, notably through new player Ethan Konschel from the back row.  Also new to the squad was right-wing Oliver Heard who showed some real pace in his attacks, which were only prevented by Maidenhead’s tight defence.

It was clear that Maidenhead had the upper hand but robust Henley defence from hooker Paul Goodall and prop John Cullivan, prevented the larger forwards from their opposition from forging through.  Maidenhead managed two more converted tries at the half time break, but the score belied the efforts of Henley not only to defend the onslaught but to put their own mark on the game.  The half time score stood at 21 points to nil in Maidenhead’s favour.

Henley certainly started the second half in even better form, and it was Captain, Ed Houghton, who with his forwards in full support was able to push over the line and put some points on the scoreboard for Henley; the conversion was too wide and failed. Maidenhead, however, responded promptly and edged the score up to 28 points to 5.  But again, it was another quarter of an hour before they managed to score once more with two quick converted tries.

Henley had been able to field this full team only with a mix of Henley stalwarts like Rowan Fuller and Barty Rancombe returning to support the team and new players like Will Laver, all putting in solid performances.  The last word goes to another new player and returner to rugby, Louis Heard, joining his brother, but who managed to get his debut score for Henley.

The game finished with Henley beaten by 10 points to 42 but it was a fantastic performance against a much higher placed team.