Hornets 22 – 18 Bracknell

Having enjoyed a 5 point trip to the seaside on their last outing to the north coast of Somerset Bracknell followed exactly the same route this weekend in the knowledge that they were likely to meet much sterner opposition.

Being the only side to have beaten Redingensians so far this season Hornets have already made a significant mark on the league in their first ever season at this level so the game was never going to be easy.

If I was to tell you that Bracknell were never behind on the scoreboard until 80 minutes had already passed you may be able to understand our disappointment – and it’s fair to say, the unbridled joy of the home side.

Bracknell settled into their game straight from the kick-off and gave the substantial home crowd little to cheer as they linked phase after phase until they scored in the corner – right under the nose of their own linesman!

With 15 minutes gone Hornets drew level - but with both kickers missing their mark the score remained at 5-5. While the game played out the way it often does with sides of similar ability, several passages of attacking play were thwarted by the opposition defence; it was a stroke of something better that led to Nico Maybury’s interception try backed up by George Owen’s conversion that left the half time score at 5 – 12.

Second half’s usually see the game open up with “rugby” being the winner but I’m not sure that this was the case today. On more than one occasion the referee had to bring the captains together in an attempt to keep the game under control. As a keen rugby supporter I know that this is rarely instigated by the side in the lead and as a regular Bracknell follower I know that it isn’t part of our game. Whatever….. If it was meant to be a distraction – it worked!

To add another conundrum to the mix Bracknell lost 2 front row players to injury and under the rules as I understand them – because we could do nothing other than request uncontested scrums – we had to forfeit a player on the pitch for this particular indiscretion.

During these gritty exchanges a George Owen penalty was countered by a home side drop goal but his next penalty saw Bracknell extend their lead to 8 – 18. In the context of the game this should have been enough….but….with 10 minutes to play and the game seemingly under control Bracknell contrived their own downfall. By fumbling the restart after their last score Bracknell gifted the opposition an under the posts 7 points. 15 – 18

Despite a lead on the scoreboard and an admirably controlled set of time consuming “pick and drive” phases, eventually it was poor game management in the dying seconds that allowed the home side one final opportunity which, to their credit, they took. The conversion was irrelevant but it ended up Hornets 22 – 18 Bracknell.

Bracknell – Matt Brambley, Stuart Silvester, Nick Ovens, Leo Bailey, Ollie Taylor, Giuseppe Salustri, George Milligan (C), Nico Maybury, Barry Dwyer, Joe Price, Ian Burch, Ben Nowak, Chris Brember, George Owen, Stuart Mackay. Subs – Kim Plant, Pete Austin, Sam Paine, Mike Pollard

Pete’s Predictions

While most of us were enjoying England’s win against Australia last week the main contenders for the league were in action with “catch up” fixtures – and whereas non–league weekends can sometimes throw up the odd strange result our friends at the top of the league kept their concentration

Promotion candidates? The battle of the 100% home / away records (‘Gensians v Brixham) went the way of the home side but the 27 point margin looks like more than home advantage to me.

I don’t really see anyone else troubling Redingensians or Exmouth in their quest for top spot. Exmouth would love to go back up but ‘Gensians have realistic aspirations of getting there for the first time. If someone was to lend me some money for the sole reason of betting on the outcome of this league (and you would have to be very clear about that when you lent it to me)….. I’d have to bet on the Rams.

Win of the week? Only 2 sides beat opposition placed above them in the league – Old Pats and Old Cents. Because I’ve been raving about Brixham’s away form I can’t just ignore it simply because they lost to the league leaders so well done to Old Centralians – I bet that looked good on the scoreboard!!!!!

Relegation worries? The league’s currently split in half so all 7 sides in the bottom half still have relegation concerns. 5 of the 6 bottom sides are separated by just 3 points so there are plenty of games left that could be 10 pointers

An apology to Chard but the stat that says 6 of the bottom 7 sides are separated by just 18 points isn’t as striking! I don’t know if you have any Aces up your sleeve but if you do – best use them now.

Next week’s fixtures The stand out fixture next week is Exmouth (P2) v Redingensians (P1). I reckon that if the Rams win they are as good as up but if they lose, it will go down to the penultimate game of the season

Bracknell supporters should contact Steve Ward if they have not yet booked in for a Christmas lunch they know they shouldn’t miss out on. By a happy coincidence the lunch is followed by a game of rugby – Bracknell v Newton Abbott. While N’Abbot are above us in the league I can smell a home win so please come along to support the boys to make sure I get at least one prediction correct this side of Christmas!

GO BRFC