When these 2 sides last met at Lily Hill Park it was in the 2008/9 season and the league had a remarkably similar make up with 8 of the 12 sides who were battling it out back then being here for the 2014/5 season. On that occasion Bracknell won by 60 – 5, Oxford Harlequins were relegated and Bracknell made the play-offs for the second successive season, only to be disappointed yet again.

This season things are looking a bit different – the margin of the win was no more than “home advantage” and by my reckoning Oxford Harlequins are a top half of the table side with no such relegation worries. By the same logic perhaps Bracknell won’t make a play-off spot this time - or maybe they will and win – who knows.

The contest was tight from the outset with Quins being physical in attack and defence. The inroads that Bracknell made into the Old Reds defence early on last week were not repeated this week and if it hadn’t been for Quins’ number 10 having a bit of a shocker with the boot Bracknell could have been 6 points down after 5 minutes. After missing the first 2 penalty attempts the Quins kicker scored with an unconvincing 3rd attempt to take the lead. 0 – 3

Bracknell then started to get the measure of their opposition and some sustained pressure in opposition territory forced a yellow card infringement for Quins that also allowed Bracknell to level the scores with a George Owen penalty. 3 – 3

The 10 minutes that followed were rather reminiscent of last week and in another episode of the George Owen show Bracknell were treated to another penalty and a conversion of his own try after the winger had scorched down the left touchline. Just to prove he is human George missed a penalty just before half time (his first miss from 7 attempts in the last 2 weeks) but with the penalty being a result of a second yellow card for Quins, Bracknell went to the dressing room with the upper hand in a tough contest and a half time lead of 13 – 3.

On 2 occasions in the second half Quins scored tries to reduce the margin to 5 points but on both occasions Bracknell countered with tries of their own – first through Stuart Silvester and later through who else but George Owen's, both converted by…..you’ve guessed it – George Owen's.

Final score Bracknell 27 – 15 Oxford Harlequins. Unsurprisingly, George Owen's brace of tries and 22 points picked up the Man of the Match award – a bottle of Ron de Jeremy fine spiced rum.

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Stuart Silvester, Ken Dowding , Kim Plant, Leo Bailey, Pete Austin, Giuseppe Salustri , George Milligan (C), Jack Conway, Daniel Antonelli, Ian Burch, Joe Price, Vasa Bai, George Owen, Stuart Mackay. Subs – Matt Brambley, Kenny Barry, Sam Paine (all played)

Pete’s Predictions
Promotion candidates? Exmouth maintained their 100% record by a very narrow margin at Brixham and although they may have one or two tougher matches to come any side who wins at Brixham are likely to be top of the table contenders - alongside ‘Gensians the only other unbeaten side.

Bracknell, like Hornets have won 3 in a row following first game away losses and are closely followed by Old Cents who claim another “highest ever league position” but they have had the benefit of 3 home wins out of 4 games so far.

Old Redcliffians and Weston-super-Mare continue to mirror each other’s progress but unfortunately for them neither side has picked up a point in the last 2 outings

Win of the week? This has to be Bournemouth – not only because it is their only win of the season for them so far but they were the only side in the bottom 6 to win. Bournemouth’s last 2 results have been a vast improvement on their first 2 so perhaps they are turning things around a bit.

Relegation worries? With only 5 wins collectively between the bottom 6 sides any these sides have work to do and it looks like it’s going to be a particularly long season for Chard

With Bracknell playing Redingensians next week and Hornets visiting Quins something is going to give towards the top. With Exmouth at home to Chard and a 5 pointer being the most likely outcome it will be interesting to see who can stay in touch with the league leaders.

Don’t forget that Bracknell will be playing Redingensians at Reading’s home ground in Sonning Lane while ‘Gensians’ clubhouse is under construction so take the trip down the A329(M) and cheer the boys along. I’m sure Reading will be only too pleased to sell us a few beers

GO BRFC