Narrow win sees big league leap for 1XV

Bracknell travelled to Regentsholme home of Lydney RFC for the re-arranged fixture from 21st January. With Lydney enjoying back to back wins at Regentsholme, they knew it would a a tough encounter. And this was not helped by the heavy rain and wind!!

Lydney were first on the board with a penalty from fly half Danny Openshaw.

From a line out from a penalty for a high tackle Harry Challenor opened the scoring for Bracknell after a catch and drive. The conversion was missed.

More Bracknell pressure saw the ball going through the back line for Simon Bayliss score out wide out. Once again the conversion was missed.

A further Danny Openshaw penalty cut the deficit to four points before a Chris Laidler penalty extended the Bracknell lead.

Half time: Lydney 6 Bracknell 13

Into the second half with Lydney pressing they were held up on the Bracknell line twice, the third time the referee deeming this was illegal and awarded Lydney a penalty try which Danny Openshaw converted. 13 all.

As the rain fell and the conditions worsened Chris Laidler kicked a penalty to edge Bracknell 16-13 ahead.

Lydney now pressed and were rewarded with a try, replacement Brian Ncube crossing to make the score 18-16 the conversion was missed but Lydney were ahead.

With the clock ticking down Bracknell were then awarded a penalty which Chris Laidler again slotted to edge Bracknell ahead.

Lydney still had one final chance to win when they were awarded a penalty, this though was missed and victory went to Bracknell.

Final Score: Lydney 18 Bracknell 19 (Points: Lydney 1 Bracknell 4)

The win sees Bracknell leap to sixth in the league. Bracknell started the season with 2 wins from nine games and followed that with 9 wins from 11 a fact that was not lost on Head of Rugby Daniel Ap Dafydd who commented after the game “9 out of 11 wins. Testament to all the players hard work. Very privileged to be involved with this group.”

Bracknell are away next week in Devon when they travel to Ivybridge (KO 2.30pm).

Bracknell: 1 Tom Williams2 Matt Lamin 3 Jonny Mirza 4 Lachy Valentine 5 Kim Plant 6 James Ingle (C) 7 Simon Haddad 8 Daniel Carpo 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Chris Laidler 11 Simon Bayliss 12 Peceli Nacamavuto 13 Ian Burch 14 Ben Yates 15 Andy Slade Replacements: 16 Harry Challenor 17 Dom Rice 18 Will Hopkins