Maidenhead pick up another crucial bonus point in heavy defeat to London Welsh

Rahul Bhalla scores for Maidenhead. Photo: Paul Morgan

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Maidenhead 26, London Welsh 61

Maidenhead didn’t lose any ground on seventh placed Bracknell on Saturday, despite suffering one of their heaviest defeats of the season at home to a London Welsh side who remain on course for an ‘Invincibles’ season.

Welsh are starting to pull away from the pack in the division after this comfortable 61-26 victory over David Mobbs-Smith's side at Braywick Park.

However, a depleted Maids once again showed their character to battle back in the second half to take a crucial bonus point from the game, a little extra that may just help to keep them above the teams fighting it out at the bottom of the table over the coming months.

Mobbs-Smith wasn't expecting an easy game against a Welsh side who'd won all 12 of their games with a bonus point ahead of their visit to Braywick Park. However, he was hopeful some of the competitive - and exciting - clashes the two sides have had over the years might make this game a real contest.

In the end, it wasn't quite that, but Maids refused to roll over in the second half and they played their expansive, inhibited brand of rugby in the closing stages to get the four tries they needed for a bonus point.

With Bracknell losing 38-12 at Camberley - the side Maids must visit next on January 4 - Maids managed to make up a point on their derby rivals, closing to within two points of them in the Regional 1 South Central table.

That bonus point also moves them six points clear of ninth placed Horsham, who were beaten 21-16 away at Tunbridge Wells this weekend.

Essentially, the unexpected bonus points collected from Maids' previous two matches at Wimbledon and home to London Welsh have kept their noses above water as they prepare to head into the second half of the season and a kindlier fixture list - once they get the trip to Camberley out of the way.

On Saturday, Welsh had the game all but wrapped up before the interval, and they may have taken their foot off the gas in the closing stages as the hosts fought back to take a point from the game.

Maids tries were scored by Rahul Bhalla, Iwan Hughes, Max Keller and Joe Keohane with Greg Smith managing to convert three of them to take their points tally to 26. Unfortunately, London Welsh are in such free-scoring form that Maids were never really allowed to get into the contest.

The visitors put their foot down from the opening whistle to build such a big lead that they could afford to take the final 20 minutes a little easier.

Welsh have now won all 13 of their matches so far and don't really look like slipping up - even to their closest rivals Jersey, who have also had a phenomenal campaign.

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Windsor 50, Bicester 10

Windsor comfortably put Bicester to the sword on Saturday for a 50-10 win at Home Park and their sixth straight win in Counties 1 Tribute Southern North.

Andy Symons' side are doing their best to stick with front runners Oxford Harlequins 2nds, and they cruised to a bonus point win on Saturday, scoring eight tries in the process.

Harry Bicknell got the first of them before two scores for Ben Grant-Adamson, who also converted five of the eight tries, put the home side in full command.

Luke Budd added a fourth and William Porter a fifth while Joseph Triegaardt scored a hat-trick of tries to round off a comfortable victory.

The win moves Windsor a point above Chinnor 3rds up to second, however, they remain 13 points behind Quins with a game in hand.

They may struggle to reel in the leaders - just as they failed to catch up with Beaconsfield last season - however, a promotion spot could be theirs if they finish the season as one of the best runners-up at their level in the region.

Next up they visit Buckingham on Saturday, January 4.

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Marlow 19, Beaconsfield 40

A fourth straight league win for Marlow proved just beyond them as Beaconsfield got the better of Kev O'Byrne's side 40-19 at Riverwoods on Saturday.

Marlow had been hoping to build on their victories over Grasshoppers, London Irish Wild Geese and Aylesbury, however, Beaconsfield had just a bit too much quality for them as they registered their ninth win of the season.

Marlow will now look to bounce back to winning ways away to Old Haberdashers on January 4, a team they thrashed 50-12 at Riverwoods back in September.

The club has also announced the signing of three Vunipola cousins, all nephews of club legend Feao Vunipola.

Lotu, Sione and Viliami have been playing top tier age grade rugby in Australia and the club believe they'll bring exceptional talent to the club in the new year.