Uruguay U16s 51pts vs Maidenhead RFC U16Bs 8pts

Maids' preparation, for the first time on tour, was less than ideal for this match. The previous day had been a full one, travelling from 10 in the morning until 11 at night. Only snack foods all day and a late pizza. Then an early start and a false start with the confusion over venue. A kickoff before 10am was not really ideal but forced by the timing of the full international later. So it was perhaps not surprising that the Uruguay U16s were quicker into their stride than the tourists. Maids repelled the immediate pressure, counter-rucking well and Tim Cronbach charging the turnover ball out to the 22. Scott Atherton cleared well up to half way and Maids defended the first catch and drive well. Uruguay were not to be denied for long, however, and an 8-9 move from 5m got the scoring going after six minutes of siege.

The next ten minutes were much more positive, Atherton, Will Thompson and Steve Carn kicking behind the Uruguay wingers to great effect, Cronbach continuing to carry well in the loose. Sure enough, Maids crossed the whitewash, Ed Kaye finishing a sweeping move to the left after Fred Reid's right wing raiding had stretched the defence. Atherton hit the post to leave the score tied.

More smart kicking had Uruguay scrambling to defend. Reid made another strong run, this time in midfield, and O'Flaherty was quickly to the breakdown to force a penalty for not rolling away. Atherton kicked it to give Maids a well deserved lead.

They could not hold it for long, however. Uruguay stole through a Maids lineout and a big forward twisted and stretched over. The conversion and a quick penalty made it 12-8 to the national side. Maids continued to try the diagonal kicks which had looked so promising but the Uruguay back three were playing better now and running them back with menace.

A four point deficit at half time did not look too bad but, when Uruguay brought on 15 completely fresh players for the second half, Maidenhead started to show the fatigue of a long tour and the difficult preparation for this match. It only took two minutes for the new Uruguay seleccion to open their account, and after 20 minutes of the second period they were 30 points ahead and cruising. Maids fought back bravely, O'Flaherty stealing a lineout and offloading to Kaye their best chance, but, in truth, this was a half too far after the extraordinary effort most of these Maids players had made against Universitario de Rosario only two days before. Sudi was on and off the field like a waiter bringing the boys more beef. Uruguay's under 16s looked very good value, with smart handling by forwards and backs, and an ability to finish with style. There would have been no shame in losing to fifteen of them, let alone thirty. Maids' heart was there, but the limbs and muscles just would not respond.

Squad: Avery C, Edney, Nicol, Orchard, Evans, Cronbach (VC), Hull, O'Flaherty, Hibberdine, Khindria , Thompson (Capt.), Kaye, Reid, Carn, Atherton, McCarthy, Dow, Trevena