A good crowd had gathered for the final game of the season at Lily Hill Hill against league champions Old Redcliffians. We also welcomed Jack and his team from Rugby Nats who were filming the day for their website.

‘Old lags’ Jonny Mirza, Stu Mackay and Gareth Staples were making their final 1XV appearance while making his first team debut was second row Tom Scott. Bracknell’s team contained 11 former academy players in the starting squad - the average age of the team being 25 years old.

With Bracknell playing towards the clubhouse Old Reds early pressure was rewarded with a try from back rower Dan Fry, converted by Ashley Groves.

Old Reds led was cut with a Chris Laidler penalty after 15 mins.

Simon Bayliss replaced Ben Yates who left the field to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.

A clearance kick and a very unfortunate bounce on the hard Lily Hill pitch saw winger Ezra Caven dot down to extend the Old Reds lead.

With the Bracknell forwards now exerting some pressure, this allowed Lewis Franklin to deliver a delayed pass to a well timed Ian Burch break, for him to score Bracknell’s first try of the season against Old Reds. Conversion was good by Chris Laidler.

A further break by the Bracknell forwards lead by skipper James Ingle caught Old Reds offside at the breakdown, allowing a Chris Laidler penalty to give Bracknell the lead at half time.

Right on the half break Simon Bayliss was shown a yellow card for making conduct in the air on an Old Reds player.

Half time: Bracknell 13 Old Redcliffians 12

Old Reds retook the lead 10 minutes into the second half with a try from number 8 Ethan Doyle, after he broke through a number of Bracknell tackles. 13-19.

Neither side could dominate the half and further scoring chances were limited. Bracknell failing with a penalty chance just before the half hour mark.

Bracknell finally broke the Old Reds defence with minute to go, some goods hands in the backs allowing Stu Mackey to score in the corner. The attempted conversion to give Bracknell back the lead, going agonisingly wide.

Final Score: Bracknell 18 Old Redcliffians 19 (Points: Bracknell 1 Old Redcliffians 4)

Man of the Match: Tom Scott

The result means that Bracknell finish the league in ninth place with fourteen wins - which is strangely the same number of wins as fourth spot!! In the first half of the season we had 5 wins and 8 losses (Points F:288 A:328), which was reversed in the second half of the season where we had 8 wins and 5 losses (Points F:307 A:270). Certainly a season of two half's!!! Only two sides managed 'to do the double' over us (beating us at home and away), these being champions Old Reds and Salisbury.

Although the last game ended in defeat the atmosphere at the clubhouse was rocking and continued late into the night (and early morning). It was helped by the 3XV who won their fixture vs Wallingford II 32-20 meaning that they finished as runners up in BBO3.

Those still wanting a rugby fix please be reminded that the Ladies are in action at Lily Hill on Sunday 7th May vs Redingensians Sirens. Not forgetting that the Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival is at the club on Sunday 28th May. You can get your tickets at http://festival.bracknaleevents.co.uk/

Have a great summer and see you all next season!!!!!

GoBRFC!!

Bracknell: 1 Gareth Staples 2 Jasper Miranda 3 Jonny Mirza 4 Liam Goodison 5 Tom Scott 6 Dom Rice 7 Simon Haddad 8 James Ingle (C) 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Chris Laidler 11 Ben Yates 12 Ian Burch 13 Ben Sanderson 14 Stu Mackay 15 Andy Slade Replacements: 16 Harry Challenor 17 Tom Field 18 Simon Bayliss