Bracknell 34 Gravesend 10

The day opened in celebratory mood for Mr Barry’s (senior) 65th birthday. A happy birthday to him from all at Bracknell Rugby Club. Another cause for celebration was seeing ex-academy Liam Goodison’s debut for the 1XV.

It was Gravesend that enjoyed the opening phases of the game but were unable to take advantage. It would be Bracknell that would celebrate the opening score. From a quick tap penalty by Jack Conway, the ball found its way to Ian Birch to allow him score under the Gravesend posts. Conversion kicked by Liam Hemming.

Further two penalties by Liam Hemming and one by Jacob Berthelsen for Gravesend took the score to 13-3 with twenty minutes gone.

With Bracknell now pressing Gravesend, Liam Hemming weaved his way through the Gravesend defensive line for Bracknell’s second score of the day. Also converting his own score.

Just before half time it was Liam Hemming, again, that was able to break the Gravesend line to touch down for Bracknell’s third try. Again converting his own try. Half time score line 27-3.

Bracknell secured the bonus point for fours tries with a catch and drive from a line out by the forwards. Harry Challenor being credited with the score. Liam Hemming kicking the conversation to take his own personnel haul for the day to 24 points and a 100% kicking record. There’s cause for celebration!!

Gravesend earned a consolation try with the last play of the game. Full back Gary Gray scoring in the corner, which was converted by fly half Jacob Berthelsen. This not being enough to dampen Bracknell s celebratory mood.

Full time Bracknell 34 Gravesend 10 (Points: Bracknell 5 Gravesend 0)

Bracknell are at Lily Hill Park again next week as they face Westcliffe (KO 2.15pm), there is also a Former Players lunch on that day - which provides a great way of meeting up with some old mates. To book contact Steve Ward.

Bracknell: 1:Harry Challenor 2:Stuart Silvester 3:Jonny Mirza ( capt ) 4:Josh Kron 5.Leo Bailey 6:Tom Deveraux 7:George Milligan 8:Lachlan Valentine 9:Jack Conway 10:Liam Hemming 11:Stuart Mackay 12:Dan Faamatuainu 13:Joe Price 14:Ian Burch 15:Ben Yates Subs: Tom Williams, Lewis Dennet, Liam Goodison

Pete’s Predictions
Last week I predicted 5 home wins, an away win and a draw. I was spot on with the home wins for Bracknell, East Grinstead, Hertford, Tonbridge and Westcombe Park and even got Wimbledon’s away win at Westcliff correct but Irish’s trip to Shelford was always going to be difficult to call. Predicting a draw is bound to lengthen the odds of getting a full sweep in the predictions but this turned out to be about as close as you can get without nailing it. Shelford picked up a 4 try bonus to go with their losing bonus point while I’m guessing that Irish won the game by a single point courtesy of penalty kicks. However this game panned out it sounds like it was a nail biter.

Promotion candidates.
In week 7 I suggested that the top 5 are all in with a shout and while that still may be the case but I’m not convinced that Shelford have got what it takes to catch all of those above them. The top 5 may soon become a top 4.

It is also noticeable that the lines between this top 5 and those on their heels is getting a bit blurred as Wimbledon, following an impressive 5 wins on the trot reach the top half of the table for the first time. It’s worth noting however, every one of their opposition in these 5 games were all in the bottom 5 when the fixtures were played. At least they took their opportunities when they could and are well clear of those early season relegation concerns – as indeed I suggested they would be back in week 3 when they were still without a win. Their highest ever league position may only be short term though – with East Grinstead visiting next week and Guernsey at Gravesend, 7th and 8th places may well swap back again

Irish remain at the top but if they want to see out 2015 unbeaten they still have a tough trip to Tonbridge in a couple of weeks’ time – the first time they will have travelled away to meet one of their top 4 title contenders so far this season. This battle of what will definitely still be the top 2 when they meet should be a real Christmas cracker

Win of the week.
There were no great surprises and no-one beat anyone else above them in the league, but there were 2 away wins.
East Grinstead thumped Eton Manor but it was at home and was expected and wasn’t even the biggest margin put on the league strugglers – that was Tonbridge with 82 back in September
Irish’s win at Shelford is worthy of a mention but this is not Shelford’s first home defeat - East Grinstead won there much more convincingly, earlier in the season.

Nor was it Westcliff’s first home defeat but it was undoubtedly their biggest – by a considerable margin, easily surpassing the 19 point margin of defeat suffered against high flying East Grinstead – way back in the first game of the season
Yet again in my opinion, the stand out result of the week is Wimbledon’s thrashing of Westcliff at Westcliff by a margin that few would have expected so congratulations go to Wimbledon for a second consecutive “win of the week”

Relegation worries.
As far as relegation is concerned Bracknell’s win puts them clear of any immediate worries, but by no means safe – but is does put Gravesend deeper into trouble
The bottom 4, Eton Manor, Westcliff, Gravesend and Chichester have managed just 3 wins between them in the last 5 weeks and these were when they played one of each other
It may be a bit early to say that Colchester and Bracknell are safe but I think the 3 to take the drop are likely to come from these 4

Next week’s fixtures
Next weeks’ fixtures are not quite as straight forward as this week’s – away wins are always a bit more risky to predict than home wins and next week I’m think most of them should be away wins – but we’ll just have to wait and see
Here are my predictions for week 12 in league fixture list order
Home win
Away win
Away win
Away win
Away win
Home win
Away win

Go BRFC