Bracknell travelled to Old Redcliffians towards the end of last season in 3rd place and still had hopes of a playoff spot but Old Reds were unbeaten at home and were the only side to have beaten runaway league leaders and nailed on promotion candidates Lydney. Their rich vein of home form was to continue that afternoon as Old Reds took another “top of the table” scalp – one that all but finished Bracknell’s promotion prospects. When ‘Gensians slipped up at Newton Abbot the following Friday a long awaited crack in the playoff door opened up but Bracknell were in no position to step through.

So it was with a degree of trepidation and a few bad memories that Bracknell stepped out onto the pitch at Scotland Road – an emotion that lasted all of 90 seconds. Old Reds fumbled the kick-off and were not to touch the ball again until Bracknell’s first conversion sailed between the posts. The kick off fumble was scooped up by Bracknell’s forwards who embarked on the first of several phases, each one biting sizable chunks out of the home side’s territory before the slick finishing George Owen capped off a magnificent opening minute and a half. Old Reds 0 – 7 Bracknell
With any early game nerves quickly settled Bracknell looked sharp and dangerous but weren’t to get it all their own way. Old Reds got on the score board (a relatively simple wooden structure with numbers on it – Old Cents take note) with the 2nd of two penalty attempts and a further trade of penalties took the score to 6 – 10 which is where is stayed for well over 20 minutes. Bracknell’s high tempo game was countered by Old Reds’ ability to capitalise on any error and the result was a very watchable spectacle for the sizeable crowd.

As much as there were errors from the men in green there were far less than there were in the two previous matches. Eventually the pressure would have to tell and after choosing to kick to the corner rather than take a straightforward 3 points Bracknell’s gamble was rewarded. A clean lineout take and controlled drive rolled over the line for the large but energetic frame of Kim Plant to touch down. With Owain Davies off the field following an injury sustained from a try saving tackle the conversion was missed but the significance of the try just before half time could not be underestimated. Old Reds 6 – 15 Bracknell

Unlike last week even Rory Greenslade Jones’ half time team talk couldn’t dampen the sides’ spirits and Bracknell started the second half even more impressively than the first. Tries from Giuseppe Salustri and fine individual effort from Leo Bailey down the right touchline came within 4 minutes of the restart and with stand in kicker George Owen converting both tries the outcome of the game that could have gone either way was quite suddenly beyond doubt with 35 minutes remaining. Old Reds 6 – 29 Bracknell

It felt as if Bracknell just had to play out the game for a 5 point win and what remained to be seen was what the eventual margin would be. This is what it felt like from the side-lines and quite possibly in the minds of the players as well. This is not to say that anyone on either side gave up or consciously eased off – it’s just that the intensity appeared to drop just a notch. Both sides settled into a rather unlikely pattern as Old Reds scored a try through forward pressure countered by a try from George Owen which he converted himself and then Old Reds scored through their backs countered by another try from George Owen – yet again converted himself. The last 20 minutes was Old Reds 12 – George Owen 14 bringing the final score to Old Reds 18 – 43 Bracknell.

Each member of the squad has a job to do and without exception each Bracknell player played his part to the full. As much as it may be unfair to pick out individuals (you already know what is going to happen next) there were notable contributions from 2nd rows Kim Plant and Kenny Barry, George Owen’s hat trick and faultless boot and promising first appearances for Nick Ovens and Vasa Bai while winner of the Man of the Match award – a bottle of Ron de Jeremy fine spiced rum was Leo Bailey

Bracknell play with a fast flowing style of 15 man rugby which is difficult to contain and as they knit together and reduce the errors it will be interesting to see how many sides in this league can live with it.

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Stuart Silvester, Matt Brambley, Kim Plant, Leo Bailey, Pete Austin, Giuseppe Salustri, Nico Maybury (C), Jack Conway, Daniel Antonelli, Ian Burch, Joe Price, Stuart Mackay, George Owen, Owain Davies. Subs – Nick Ovens, Kenny Barry, Vasa Bai (all played)

Pete’s Predictions

Exmouth, despite drawing the short straw and playing their first 2 games away from home are topping the league unbeaten but they have played 3 of the bottom 5 and have yet to take on any of the real title contenders (I think I said something similar about Lydney last season…..)
After a disappointing start Bracknell are getting into their stride and look like they will be pushing those at the top

Following season opening home game losses, both Old Redcliffians and Weston-super-Mare followed up last week’s away wins with home losses again this week so neither side has picked up a single point from their 2 home games. Any side will struggle without home wins in the bank
As predicted, Bracknell isn’t the only side to be turned over at Old Cents with Newton Abbot being the latest victims. Congratulations to Old Cents who I think I am correct in saying are in their highest ever league position and look as if last year’s relegation worries are a thing of the past
Promotion candidates? Exmouth I have mentioned already and Redingensians, who have rearranged this week’s fixture against Brixham for later in the season when their new clubhouse will be finished are well placed with a game in hand.

Relegation worries? A rather unhealthy looking gap has opened up above Bournemouth and Chard - a gap that if it gets any bigger could prove difficult to close!

Newly promoted Oxford Harlequins and Hornets have equipped themselves well so far in this league but have tougher games on the horizon. Indications are that both sides look “safe” but whether either side has the ability to push the favourites is yet to be seen

One such test for Quins is their imminent trip to Lily Hill Park as Bracknell host their second home game of the season next Saturday. There is a pre match lunch at 12.30pm for those who are interested and with Bracknell and Quins having remarkably similar records the clash of 4th against 5th promises to be – like the food……..mouth-watering!

GO BRFC