Bracknell 14 – East Grinstead 24

The day started on a good note as just over 130 sat down for a pre lunch before the kick off of Bracknell’s final home game of the season. The club was pleased to play host to the towns MP Dr Philip Lee.

Taking control of the reins of the team for the day was Chairman of Rugby Martin Radford due to the non availability of coach Dan ap Dafydd. Back in the starting XV was Chris Brember who missed last week’s game due to illness, along with Ian Burch and Tom Williams starting at tight head prop.

It was East Grinstead that opened the scoring just before the ten minute mark. Winger James Faaatuata touching down following a cross kick from former BRFC player and fly half Liam Prescott. The conversion was missed.

With the game being predominately played in the Bracknell half of the field, East Grinstead were unable to take advantage due to the stout Bracknell defence. Ten minutes before the half time break the referee deemed the Bracknell defence had transgressed once to many times and Lachlan Valentine was yellow carded for being offside.

Half time Bracknell 0 East Grinstead 5.

Within 3 minutes of the restart Bracknell took the lead. Following a recovery of a loose ball by Jasper Miranda and some great hands by the Bracknell backs, Stuart Mackay was able to touchdown. The conversion was kicked by Lachlan Valentine. 7-5 to Bracknell.

With Leo Bailey in the sin bin, East Grinstead retook the lead with a further try by James Faaatuata taking the scoreline to 5-10.

With 25 minutes of the second half gone and the team numbers now again equal East Grinstead were to extend their lead with yet another James Faaatuata try. This time the conversion was kicked by Liam Prescott, 7-17.

With a quarter of an hour to go Bracknell got back within three points of East Grinstead with a Chris Brember try following a break and pass from skipper Jonny Mirza. Lachlan Valentine converting.

East Grinstead sealed the win and their bonus point for four trys, with a try from centre Esera Faaofo. The conversion by Liam Prescott meant that Bracknell, rather harshly, did not receive a losing bonus point for all their efforts on the day.

Full time: Bracknell 14 – East Grinstead 24 (Points: Bracknell 0 East Grinstead 5).

Man of the Match award went to Ben Yates - well done to him.

Next week Bracknell are away at Westcombe Park for the final game of the season. Kick off is 3pm. Any support you can provide would be gratefully received by the team.

Special mentions must go to the Stags who won 22-8 at Aylesbury and are just one win away from retaining their BBO1 league title. Also the 3XV who won 22-0 away at Maidenhead in their final game of the season, the victory means that the threes retain their BBO3 league status.

Bracknell: 1: Jonny Mirza ( c ) 2: Stuart Silvester 3: Tom Williams 4:Leo Bailey 5.James Wright 6:Tom Devereux 7:Liam Goodison 8:Lachlan Valentine 9:Ally Walton 10: Jack Conway 11: Stuart Mackay 12: Chris Brember 13: Ben Yates 14: Ian Burch 15: Andy Slade Subs: Dominic Rice, Jasper Miranda, Simon Bayliss

Go BRFC!!!

Pete's Predictions

Pete's Predictions for the final week of the season.......not many away wins this time: