Bracknell set off to Wiltshire for their closest away game of the season. Bracknell making two changes from last week, Tom Williams and Jasper Miranda coming into the starting line. On a dry Wiltshire day Bracknell played up the slight slope in the first half.

With only 4 minutes gone Salisbury opened the scoring. A chip kick from fly half Robbie Keith allowed him to re-gather the ball and set winger Jon Goldsmith in for a try. Robbie Keith converted.

On the ten minute mark Salisbury extended their lead with a penalty from Robbie Keith. 10-0 to Salisbury.
Neither side was able to convert their opportunities. Salisbury enjoying the better procession; Bracknell failing to capitalise on their scoring chances.

This was to change just before half time. Bracknell from a line out got a driving maul going forward, releasing the ball swiftly down the back line allowed full back Andy Slade to score Bracknell’s opening try. Conversion was kicked by Lewis Dennett.

With Bracknell now enjoying possession in the Salisbury half, Salisbury’s fly half Robbie Keith was sent to the sin bin by referee Rich Timbrell. Bracknell were unable to take advantage and the scoreline was 10-7 at half time.

Bracknell enjoyed the better of the early stages of the second half and opened the second half scoring. Following a number of good drives in the Salisbury half, number 8 Lachy Valentine off loaded to winger Ben Yates for him to score. Conversion just going wide. 10-12

Minutes later, Bracknell extended their lead with a try from Lachy Valentine, gathering his own charge down to score Bracknell’s third try of the day. Conversion was kicked by Lewis Dennett. 10-19.

A penalty from the recent returned Robbie Keith cut in Bracknell’s lead. 13-19.

Salisbury were to retake the lead with a converted try, under the Bracknell posts, from replacement Tom Ranaboldo. 20-19.

Into injury time, Bracknell retook the lead with a penalty from the boot of Lewis Dennett.

From the restart Salisbury failed to kick the ball the required 10 meters and a scrum to Bracknell on the half way line was awarded. Salisbury won the ball in the scrum 'against the head' and broke down the Bracknell flank. In attempting to ground the ball over the try line, the ball became loose in the Bracknell try area. Salisbury scrum-half Dave Tonge reacting the quickest to the loose ball to touch it down. The referee judging that the loose ball had been caused by a Bracknell knock on, awarded a try to Salisbury. Conversion was kicked.

Full time score: Salisbury 27 – Bracknell 22 (Points: Salisbury 4 – Bracknell 1)

Coach Daniel Ap Dafydd commented on the days performance “We are all disappointed and hurting after today's loss. I know everyman involved tried their best and that losing was not down to lack of effort.”

Bracknell are back on the road next Saturday away at Brixham, as they visit Devon for the first time this season. It's a long trip but I know the lads will be pleased to receive any support you can provide.

Bracknell: 1. Tom Williams 2. Jasper Miranda 3. Nick Ovens 4. Leo Bailey 5. Kim Plant 6. Liam Goodison 7. Josh Webb 8. Lachy Valentine 9. Jack Conway 10. Lewis Dennett 11. Ben Yates 12. Stu Mackay (C) 13. Ben Sanderson 14. Ian Burch 15. Andy Slade Replacements: 16. Dan Gyles 17. Ollie Johnson 18. Ally Walton