Old Patesians 27 – 24 Bracknell

Although this is supposed to be the season of goodwill and charity Bracknell should have got the game in the bag before starting on the festivities. Playing a side 7 places below them in the table there appeared to be too much in the way of bearing gifts and not enough in the way of wise men.

In November last year Bracknell played down the considerable slope at Old Pats in the first half and seemingly in total control of the game, were 11 points up at half time. In the second half Old Pats stepped up several gears and Bracknell were fortunate to come away with a win.

This year Bracknell played down the considerable slope in the first half and seemingly in total control of the game, and were 12 points up at half time. In the second half Old Pats stepped up several gears and won. Did we learn nothing from last year’s lucky escape?

Don’t get me started on sides who have a sloping pitch but when you play perhaps 16 of your 26 games in a season on a sloping pitch it is an unfair advantage over those sides who play, shall we say 3. There’s no doubt in my mind that sides with sloping pitches have a tried and tested style of play that maximises the benefits of playing downhill whereas other sides just don’t get that sort of match practice. It seems that no-one needed to get me started after all….

So while the first half saw a sneaky snipe down the blind side by No. 9 Barry Dwyer for Bracknell’s first score and a dazzling backs move finished by Stuart MacKay for their second converted by George Owen all that Old Pats had to show for themselves was a fluffed penalty attempt. 0-12 up so what could go wrong?

As Bracknell, seemingly unaware of the way that last season’s game unfolded, settled into their half time back patting, the home side faithful were quietly preparing themselves for a proper festive celebration.

Within 17 minutes of the restart Old Pats had hauled in and surpassed Bracknell’s tally with tries from their fullback, second row and prop and with a score line of 19-12 Bracknell’s Christmas had been well and truly cancelled

To be fair to the visitor’s, when it looked like momentum had swung the way of home side, Bracknell battled back and did something the home side hadn’t been able to manage which was scoring up the hill with a try by Joe Price which was converted by George Owen 19 – 19

Just when it looked as if the advantage of the slope had been countered another try by Old Pat’s full back regained the lead for the home side. 24-19

As time ran out Bracknell fought against the slope and with little time on the clock seemed to secure a draw as a minimum. The linesmen disagreed on the outcome of the conversion in a decision that seems to bring the game to a close with the scores tied at 24 – 24.

However, in the time remained – very little by my watch – Bracknell gifted the game back to the opposition. Having taken control of the ball at the restart they contrived to knock on, buckled in the subsequent scrum and conceded a last second penalty in front of their posts. 27 – 24

For the third time this season and the second time in three games Bracknell had let a game slip in the dying seconds. In the other two games it was in losing to opposition above them in the league while perhaps even more disappointingly this was against a side placed well below them.

Old Patesians 27 – 24 Bracknell (Old Pats 5 points – Bracknell 2 points)

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Pete Austin, Matt Brambley, Leo Bailey, Ollie Taylor, Giuseppe Salustri, George Milligan (C), Nico Maybury, Barry Dwyer, Joe Price, Ian Burch, Sam Paine, Chris Brember, George Owen, Stuart Mackay. Subs – Stuart Silvester, Ben Nowak, Michael Clarke

Pete’s Predictions

Promotion candidates? Those at the top, Redingensians and Exmouth, both scored predictable home wins against relegation battling opposition but neither side managed the thrashings that might have been predicted. Is this evidence of resurgence from Bournemouth and Barnstaple or complacency from the table toppers?

Win of the week? As has happened in recent weeks, just 2 sides have beaten opposition placed above them in the league. On most weeks Old Pats’ win against a Bracknell side 7 places above them would be enough to take the plaudits but I can’t ignore Chard’s first win of the season. It doesn’t matter that Old Reds have only won once at home this season or that it was only by a point – Chards first ever level 5 win has to be cause for celebration! Congratulations to them

Relegation worries? The fact that their win against Bracknell rockets Old Pats from 12th to 8th just goes to show how tight it is in the lower half of the league and how much a win is worth. Chard were the only other side in the lower half of the league to win this week but that takes just a small chunk out of the deficit between them and the rest of the relegation battlers above them

Next week’s fixtures
The next league fixtures are on 3rd January when Barnstaple host Weston-super-Mare and Brixham host Redingensians. Both fixtures will have an effect on the promotion and relegation battles

Bracknell will want to get back to winning ways as they host an Old Reds side reeling from this week’s loss to Chard but the Bristol side will have to improve dramatically if they are to get anything better than the 5 – 0 points outcome the form book suggests.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Xmas and a Great New Year.

GO BRFC