Bracknell earn win on the road

Bracknell made the long journey to Cornwall seeking a much needed victory as reward for the recent uplift in form, this was by no means a must win game, but victory for either side could prove the stimulus for a resurgent climb back to mid-table and perhaps beyond.

You may have thought that fielding a pack of considerable size the visitors might struggle on a pitch that was heavy under foot with threatening clouds above, but it was this fire power up front that took hold of this fixture almost immediately.

Two attacking line out catch and drives went close, the second held up. The resultant scrum was driven forward - a certain try on the cards when Launceston were adjudged to have collapsed the scrum, Bracknell played the advantage and battered the Launceston line. A quick tap was taken, the attack continued and Lachy Valentine barged his way over. Ben Nowak converted and Bracknell had an early 0-7 lead that set the tone for the day.

This was not to be a faultless display, but was to be the best of the season so far. Bracknell enjoyed long periods of pressure and at times played with precision & power, only for the drive upfield to be halted by an error. With the exception of one scrum, Bracknell dominated this area, and the line outs were solid all day. This provided a platform that allowed Bracknell to carry hard, and play their patterns.

Launceston had their moments and executed the driving maul with great effect, but this was to be their only weapon of destruction in their arsenal. The line speed of the visitors back line, was claustrophobic and forced the home 10 to kick possession away - although their efforts didn't go unrewarded and Fraser Honey kicked a penalty on 16 minutes to reduce the arrears to 3-7.

Following a penalty awarded for a flying arm on Kim Plant, Bracknell launched an attack deep in the Launceston half - Jack Conway snipped through the fringe defence, but his scoring pass was intercepted before Launceston shanked the clearance kick setting up an attacking line out 8 meters out. The ball secured and moved two passes in field, where Ben Sanderson cut a superb line back into the Launceston midfield, recycled quickly the ball found Michael Clarke on the charge - with much to do, he despatched the Launceston tacklers like a Pamplona Bull and scored. Ben Nowak converted and extended Bracknell's lead to 3-14.

Launceston's responded immediately with another Fraser Honey penalty, and the score at half time was 6-14.

Whilst the error count in the 1st period had been low, they generally occurred in critical areas, and unpicked a great deal of good work. The set piece was dominated by Bracknell, and Launceston had no answer for driving line outs and the oppressive line speed of the Bracknell backline.

Turning around to play down hill, Bracknell looked by far the better side and most likely to win this encounter, their dominance continued under the now darkening clouds.

Launceston began to struggle with the Bracknell forwards carrying up field - the gain line breached time after time - on 57 minutes, Bracknell were awarded two quick fire penalties allowing them to drive into striking distance with another attacking line out. Once again the line out was executed perfectly and the entire pack drove through the heart of the Launceston pack for Leo Bailey to score. The conversion was missed, Bracknell led 6-19.

On 63 minutes Ben Yates made a great one on one tackle when the burly Launceston centre burst through the Bracknell midfield. He then received a yellow card for playing the ball whilst still off his feet - the pressure was now on. Closing a game out is an art, and to do so with 14 men is that much more difficult - but Bracknell were up for the challenge, and expertly navigated this period of disadvantage. Launceston went close once, but Ian Burch swept up a loose ball (eventually!) and carried the ball away from the danger area with great strength - the lines were cleared.

The remainder of the game was played out with composure and effective game management as the heavens opened - virtually the final act of the game was a Launceston yellow card for stamping. Final score was 6-19.

Bracknell were the greater force in this game, and deserved winners, the performance was a continuation of their recent resurgent form, the composure in the final 25 minutes was excellent and perhaps Bracknell deserved more - in better 2nd half conditions there is no doubt the 4 try bonus point would have been secured, but this was welcome reward for the effort and commitment of the entire squad and support staff.

It was great to see the return of Jonny Mirza and the man of the match performance of James Ingle, who even found his kicking game! Launceston also contained the formidable and hard hitting ex-Bracknell centre Danz Faamatuainu, who put in a couple of trademark hits, and took a few back from the boys - it was good to see you Dan.

It is fair to say the coach trip back was memorable!!

Go BRFC!

Bracknell: 1. J Mirza 2. M Clarke 3. G Staples 4. L Bailey 5 K Plant 6. L Valentine 7. D Rice 8. J Ingle 9. J Conway 10. A Fitch 11. S Mackay 12. B Nowak 13. B Sanderson 14. I Burch 15. B Yates 16. H Challenor 17. S Haddad 18. A Slade