Bracknell unable to bridge gap

This was the first ever league meeting between the two sides, so while there was no history to gauge how the game would go, the fact that Ivybridge are in fourth place in the league suggested it would be a hard game.

Bracknell had to re-shuffle the team from that that started at Hornets last week. The ever youthful Ben Nowak starting at fly half, giving twenty years away to his opposite number. A late change saw Kenny Barry join the team on the replacements bench.

Bracknell playing in their changed black strip started the first half playing towards the clubhouse. Within the first minute Kim Plant was sent to the sin bin for reckless play. Ivybridge took full advantage and opened the scoring with a Billy Pinkus penalty.

Bracknell missed the opportunity to draw level and a further Billy Pinkus penalty doubled Ivybrigdes lead after 15 minutes.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Ivybridge now exerting the pressure crossed the Bracknell try line with a James Tiipony try. 5 minutes later with Bracknell failing to clear their lines, scrum half Ben Watts was able to seize on the high ball and run around the Bracknell defence to score under the Bracknell posts. Conversion was kicked by Billy Pinkus. 0 -18 to Ivybridge. A further Billy Pinkus penalty took the score to 0-21.

Just before the half time break Bracknell finally got a score on the score board. Breaking from a scrum, winger Stuart Mackay was able to pop the ball back inside to enable Kim Plant, making up for his opening minute misdemeanour, to score. Conversion was kicked by Ben Nowak.

Half time: Bracknell 7 Ivybridge 21.

Some harsh words from Head of Rugby Daniel ap Dafydd at half time saw Bracknell start the second half more lively and open the scoring for the half. Following some extended Bracknell pressure a penalty allowed to Bracknell to kick for the corner. From the resultant line out Leo Bailey was able score from a rolling maul. Ben Nowak kicking the conversion.

Ivybridge extended their lead with a Lewis Paterson try following a series of mauls on the Bracknell line. Billy Pinkus converting. 14-28

It was now Bracknell’s turn to score following a number of rucks on the Ivybridge try line, which saw Kenny Barry carry the ball up a number of times, Leo Bailey was able to score his second try of the afternoon. Conversion was kicked by Ben Nowak. 21-28.

In a half where it appeared that each team was taking it in turn to score, Ivybridge claimed their bonus point with a Billy Pinkus unconverted try on the 25 minute mark. Bracknell gained a bonus point themselves with a James Ingle try following some sustained pressure in the Ivybridge half . 26-33.

The final score in a crazy but entertaining half was an Ivybridge penalty, that also saw prop Harry Challenor sin binned. There was still enough time for Ivybridge to have number 8 James Tripcony sin binned by referee Matt Shales. Bracknell unable to close the gap to seven points or less missed out on a second losing bonus point.

Final score Bracknell 26 Ivybridge 36 (Points: Bracknell 1 Ivybridge 5)

Head of Rugby Daniel ap Dafydd said after the game, " We just can't give 21 points away as we did today and expect to win the game".

The team has a week off before Bracknell’s next 1XV game, away at Launceston on the 19th November. A game that looks like it is becoming an important game for both sides.

Next Saturday England vs South Africa will be shown on the clubhouse screens, plus the Stags have a friendly at Lily Hill Park.

Bracknell: 1. Harry Chalenor 2. Jasper Mirander 3. Gareth Staples 4. Leo Bailey 5. Kim Plant 6. Lachy Valentine 7. Josh Webb 8. James Ingle 9. Jack Conway 10. Ben Nowak 11. Stu Mackay 12. Chris Brember (C) 13. Ben Sanderson 14. Ian Burch 15. Andy Slade Reps: 16. Kenny Barry 17. Dom Rice 18. Antony Fitch