A try from Dave Bargent with the very last play of the game was enough to gain a valuable bonus point for the depleted Cockles, who were missing at least eight key players for the trip.

Head Coach Jon Hill Comments:
“Firstly to congratulate Maidenhead on their victory which was thoroughly deserved. They caused us serious problems at the set piece and controlled the game better than we did. We started very brightly and scored two tries early in the game, played at lightening pace on their 3G. I felt that the pace would suit us considering the size of their pack, but we failed to take a foothold of the game, and didn’t control territory at crucial times. Losing Richard Bright after ten minutes, injured when setting up Matt Dayment for our second score, was a big blow and from that point on, we lost momentum.

“Our game management cost us at least two tries from poor exits, and coupled with some poor tackling we were exposed by some sharp Maidenhead backs. We were naïve defensively for their second score when they hit us on a blind side, and then we struggled to get go forward ball as we were under pressure at the scrum.

“We finished the game well, but when trailing by 10 points, we compounded error with error, missing touch with a kick from 15 metres out, missing a couple of crucial line outs and then conceding penalties. Maidenhead punished our errors and were good value for their win. I think they will be very hard to beat at home, and their crowd are extremely ferocious, similar to that of a football crowd, making life difficult.

“We hope to welcome back player attack coach Tom Whelan and Wing/Centre Henry Goldson along with back rowers Sam Richardson, James Harris and Ben Hawley (pictured), and props George Savage and Nick Halse for next week’s home game against Brixham.

Onwards and Upwards

Regards

Jon