Having recorded a fine win at home against Lydney last week, Bracknell headed to Cleves home ground ‘The Hayfields’ in a confident mood, for the first meeting between the sides for some years.

Bracknell kicked off the game with the slight breeze at their backs. Bracknell missing an early chance score, the final pass being knocked on.

Cleve were to open the scoring after 10 minutes, a miss-pass in the centres allowing Steve Bath to score. Conversion was kicked 7-0.

With Bracknell enjoying the territory they closed the gap through a Liam Henning penalty after 20 minutes.7-3

Almost immediately Cleve struck back with a try from winger Greg Welling. Full back Alex Kilbane missing the conversion from out wide.

On the half hour mark referee Scott Galbriath deemed Lewis Dennett to have infringed the offside line and produced a yellow card. Cleve kicked the resulted penalty. 15-3.

Bracknell produced a series of drives to pin Cleve back in their own half. From a scrum, some interplay between Peceli Nacamavutu and winger Stuart Mackay allowed the winger to score. Conversion was kicked by Liam Henning. A further Liam Henning penalty closed to the gap to two points at half time. 15-13.

Into the second half with Ben Saunderson replacing Peceli Nacamavut, Cleve extended their lead with a converted try from fly half Joe Hall. 22-13

Bracknell’s woes were added to with number 8 Lachy Valentine, rather harshly, sent to the sin bin. Cleve pressed home their numeric advantage and scored their bonus point try after 32 minutes.29-13.Three minutes later, Cleves next try came from maul off a line, conversion kicked. 36-13.

Having been tackled in the air Ben Yates was the third Bracknell player to be sent to the sin bin in the afternoon.

Within the remaining minutes, with Bracknell reduced in numbers they were unable to prevent further Cleve try’s from replacement Chris MacCann, and two trys from winger Pierre Tucker.

Final score Cleve 57 Bracknell 13. (Points: Cleve 5 Bracknell 0)

We wish the Cleve front rower a speedy recovery from his injury and hope the injury is not as serious as first feared.

Chairman of Rugby Marin Radford commented after the game, “We're on a journey, and some journeys have bumps in the road - This was a big one, but no deviation from me. The future is bright.”

Bracknell have a week off before fourth placed Dings Crusaders visit Lily Hill on 22nd October. This is not before the Sportsman’s Dinner on Friday 21st October with guest speaker James Haskell. Contact Steve Ward if you have not got your tickets yet.

Bracknell: 1. Gareth Staples 2. Jasper Miranda 3. Tom Williams 4. Liam Goodison 5. Kim Plant 6. Josh Knight 7. Dom Rice 8. Lachy Valentine (c) 9. Ally Walton 10. Lewis Dennett 11. Stu Mackay 12. Liam Hemming 13. Peceli Nacamavutu 14. Ian Burch 15. Ben Yates Replacments: 16. Bradley Walters 17. Ollie Johnson 18.Ben Sanderson