Redingensians 27 – 3 Bracknell

In hind sight – it might have been better if Bracknell had accepted Redingensians request to reverse the league’s format and play today’s fixture at Bracknell (due to ‘Gensians clubhouse being a couple of weeks away from readiness) but the thinking was that Bracknell shouldn’t give an inch to their promotion rivals – and in my opinion quite rightly so. Hind sight, as we all know is a wonderful thing.

As things turned out Bracknell would have taken any other scenario than the one that evolved today because things couldn’t have been much worse. If there is any consolation it is that they are the first side this season to deny “The Rams” a 4 try bonus point but in the context of not just being local rivals but also promotion rivals – this meant very little.

As the game (played at Reading’s ground in Sonning Lane) found its feet and the sides tested each other out the opening skirmishes were pretty much even. George Owen fluffed a penalty and then slotted one and then the Rams’ number 9 slotted two to take the score to 6 – 3. At this point there was no indication that there would be anything other than the tight score lines that were seen in last season’s exchanges - 6 points and 2 points for those who aren’t fervent supporters or stat geeks.

24 minutes played however, the game took a turn where it could have started to go a bit wrong for Bracknell. Recently introduced 2nd row Kim Plant was yellow carded to his utter astonishment and less than a minute later Ken Dowding joined him in the dugout to debate the injustice of their respective “infringements”

Despite the Rams upping their game in an attempt to capitalise on their serious dominance in numbers they failed to make any inroads and were unable to cross the line. 35 minutes gone 6 – 3.

Having survived the last 11 minutes when they were predominantly down to 13 men it came as a hammer blow when a previously steady scrummage conceded a penalty try from about 15 metres out due to an obvious slip in the front row in the wet conditions. If only the referee had been on the right side of the scrum to see it! 13 – 3

Deflated and frustrated Bracknell lost concentration and conceded another score in the last minute of the first half (not that I am trying to make any excuses) Half time 20 – 3

To give you, our faithful Bracknell readers a measure of the frustration that occurred in the first half is difficult to put on the page – but we felt that we could do nothing right with the referee – perhaps that’s the way it goes sometimes.

17 points down at half time and having to force the game is not any easy place to be for any side but against a Rams side who have strengthened their squad this season it was beyond Bracknell’s ability on the day.

The only score of the second half occurred late on as The Ram’s replacements just seemed to add height and bulk to a side that already had the game in the bag. Full time score 27 – 3
I haven’t said this very often in recent seasons but Bracknell were beaten by the better side and although the score line may been different under the eye of a another referee perhaps the result would still have been a “home win”.

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

Pete’s Predictions
More of a commentary really…..
Promotion candidates? Exmouth beating Chard at home comes as no surprise to anyone but until I see them in the flesh I can’t really comment. Having seen Redingensians they are strong in so many areas and are (in my latest ever changing opinion) the side to beat. Hornets, with a win at a Quins side who looked strong at Bracknell last week remain impressive on their league debut and that puts them in the top 3 mix.

Old Redcliffians and Weston-super-Mare STILL continue to mirror each other’s progress….this time by picking up losing bonus points for home losses – better than nothing but not what they would wish for.

Win of the week? Redingensians. I know you’ll just think that it’s because they beat Bracknell – but that’s not the only reason. In the context of the league, what it means is a significant edge over a would be contender. Bracknell need to improve to be a threat to those above them.

Relegation worries? Between them, the bottom 5 sides have a record of P 25 W 4 D 1 L 20 so there is little between them and plenty to play for.

Next week’s fixtures see Chard hosting the side one place above them (Barnstaple) and they must take the opportunity to beat them or their prospects for league survival will become even less likely.

Redingensians will give Hornets their first real test of the season – a test I would be surprised if the league newcomers can deal with. If they can they really are serious contenders.

Bracknell take on unbeaten Exmouth so please come down to Lily Hill Park to give the Bracknell boys every chance to shrug off the disappointment of today’s reverse and prove that they remain a top of the table side. Pre match lunches are available – contact Steve Ward.

GO BRFC