With Bracknell attacking the clubhouse, it took just two minutes for Bracknell to get onto the scoreboard, Lachy Valentine drving over from close quarters. Conversion missed 5-0, to the hosts.

With Bracknell enjoying all the pressure, a Jonny Mirza try following a series of rucks in the Newton Abbot 22 took the score line to 10-0.
More Bracknell pressure allowed a third try with just ten minutes gone. Kim Plant making a break and deftly offloading to Chris Laidler to score under the Newton Abbot posts. Conversion by Anthony Fitch was successful. 17-0.

If Bracknell thought this was going to be easy then Newton Abbot had other ideas. With their first venture into Bracknell territory, a break by winger jack Bond resulted in a ruck just by the Bracknell posts. Referee James Milliner produced a yellow card for James Ingle, for handling on the ground. From the resultant scrum a penalty try was awarded to Newton Abbot which was converted. 17-7.

Two further Newton Abbot penalties took the score line to 17-13. Bracknell were further reduced in numbers when Lachy Valentine was sent to the sin bin.

Bracknell responded with a fine try from Anthony Fitch, to secure the bonus point, set up by Ben Yates cutting a fine line through the Newton Abbot defence. Anthony Fitch converting his own try, albeit off the post to go over. 24-13.

There was still enough time in the half for Newton Abbot to score from a lineout the Newton Abbot forwards driving over the Bracknell try line. Half time 24-20.

If the first half had been open and flowing the second half was to be a more brutal defensive display from both sides. This did not stop Bracknell opening the scoring, with a Ben Yates try in the corner, following a break by second row Kim Plant. The Newton Abbot touch judge sportingly keeping his flag down when it would have been easier to put it up. Conversion was kicked.

The sides were to exchange penalties before Newton Abbot No 8 Jarryd Harris broke from the base of a scrum in the Bracknell 22 to score under the Bracknell posts. Conversion was successful.34-30.

Newton Abbott threw everything at the Bracknell line but the Bracknell defence held firm for the final few minutes as the clock ticked down for what seemed like an entirety for the Bracknell supporters.

Full time: Bracknell 34 Newton Abbot 30 (Points: Bracknell 5 Newton Abbot 1)

Bracknell now face a tricky away fixture at Bournemouth next week before their next home game in the New Year on 7th January vs. Salisbury.

The Academy face the Old Boys side next Sunday KO 2pm, so please pop down and cheer the lads on.

Bracknell: 1. Gareth Staples 2. Michael Clarke 3. Jonny Mirza 4. Leo Bailey 5. Kim Plant 6. Lachy Valentine 7. Dom Rice 8. James Ingle 9. Jack Conway 10. Chris Laidler 11. Ben Yates 12. Ben Nowak 13. Ben Sanderson 14. Ian Burch 15. Antony Fitch 16. Harry Challenor 17. Liam Goodison 18. Will Hopkins