Windsor U12s share Newbury Cup with Maidenhead

Windsor Royals finished their season on a high note when they shared the main Cup with Maidenhead at the Newbury Tournament on Sunday. The competition was divided into 2 groups of 5 teams and the Royals found themselves drawn alongside the hosts Newbury, High Wycombe, Romsey Wasps and Devonport Services.        

Their first match against Devonport Services was comfortably won by 21 - 0, with some excellent passages of play leading to 3 tries being scored, by Kay Kay Ndewere, Sean Connolly and Robbie Balfour, all of which were converted by Jamie Odell. 

The second match against the host club Newbury was an altogether tighter game and although the match ended scoreless it was a very open encounter in which the Royals had cause to be thankful for an excellent defensive performance from both their wingers and full back - Ben Moore, Kay Kay Ndwere and Michael Davies -  against a lively Newbury back line.

With all of the other teams in the group dropping points against each other the Royals knew that victories in their 2 remaining group matches would see them top their group and qualify to play off for the main cup with the winners of the other group. The wins required were duly achieved with High Wycombe being defeated 7 - 0 through a try scored by Kay Kay Ndwere and converted by Ben Grant Adamson and Romsey Wasps overcome 14 - 0 with both tries again scored by Kay Kay and converted by Ben.

The Royals opponents in the main final were Maidenhead who had emerged unbeaten from the other group. The Royals started the game strongly and it was no surprise when mid way during the first half, full back Michael Davies burst through to score the opening try which was converted by Ben Grant Adamson. The Royals continued to look the likelier of the 2 teams to score again but what would have been the decisive score never came and as the match approached its end Maidenhead applied some consistent pressure to the Royals line for the first time in the match. The Royals defence held firm initially but with the last play of the match the Maidenhead forwards drove over the line from a 5m line out and following a successful conversion the match finished tied at 7-7. With no provision for any extra time the trophy was duly shared. 

Squad: Allen Crawshaw, Ollie Davey, Jack Brooker, Joseph 'BJ' Aina, Sean Connolly, Charlie Sturt, Alex Ball, Nick Edwards, Robbie Balfour, Charlie McAllister, 

Jamie Odell,  Ben Grant Adamson, David De Villiers, Zachary Brooke, Ben Moore, Kay Kay Ndewere, Michael Davies.   

Group Stage:   

Windsor 21 Devonport 0         
Tries - Kay Kay Ndwere, Sean Connolly, Robbie Balfour; Con - Jamie Odell (3)            

Windsor 0 Newbury 0

Windsor 7 High Wycombe 0        
Try - Kay Kay Ndwere ; Con - Ben Grant Adamson

Windsor 14 Romsey Wasps 0        
Tries - Kay Kay Ndwere (2); Con - Ben Grant Adamson (2) 

Cup Final:

Windsor 7 Maidenhead 7        
Try - Michael Davies ; Con - Ben Grant Adamson