Maids can draw plenty of positives from a spirited display in their 40-5 defeat at home to Bletchley 2nds.

With a handful of 4th team regulars unavailable, Maids went into the game thinking more about damage limitation than snatching an unlikely victory against top-of-the-table Bletchley. However, Maids matched the visitors blow for blow for much of the first half and trailed only 12-5 at the break, thanks to a well-finished try from winger Aaron Lambert.

Maids continued strongly in the second period and though they ultimately ran out of steam in the final 20 minutes, they would have run Bletchley a lot closer had centre Daryl Brady not been held up an inch short on one powerful burst for the line, had the backs not totally butchered two clear scoring opportunities and had No8 Steve Bourne not had a pushover try ruled out by the referee.

Maids take a much-needed rest next week before returning to league action away to Gosford All Blacks 2nds on November 13.