Having ended 2014 with a disappointing reverse at Old Patesians, Bracknell’s delayed start to 2015 (due to a waterlogged pitch at Lily Hill Park last week) may not have seen them back at their best but a win on the road is always worthy of some sort of celebration

Despite facing a stiff breeze in the first half Bracknell controlled the game and went in at half time with a useful 8 point lead. It was a full 20 minutes before either side forced a scoring opportunity as Bracknell’s Owain Davies slotted a penalty to celebrate his return from an injury sustained at Old Reds way back in September. Bracknell’s continued domination of possession frustrated the home side into conceding too many penalties and when Oxford found themselves down to 13 men through ill-discipline Bracknell took advantage with a try by scrum half Barry Dwyer. Half time 0 – 8.

It’s no more than an observation but this is the second time this season that Sara Cox has travelled up from Devon to take charge of a fixture involving Bracknell. In today’s game Oxford Harlequins bore the brunt of her whistle with 3 yellow cards while in the previous game it was Bracknell who suffered a similar case of yellow fever during their loss to Redingensians. This may just be a coincidence but it’s clear that Sara is not afraid to show the players who is in charge out there.

After the restart, Bracknell continued as they had started and with the wind behind them their second try arrived after just 7 minutes courtesy of Stuart MacKay. When Owain Davies’ conversion sailed over from the touchline and made it 0 – 15 a bonus point win looked very much on the cards.

Unfortunately, for one reason or another, the quality of the game took a bit of a dive. Errors were made all too frequently by both sides, Bracknell’s skipper George Milligan left the field with a nasty head wound, his side seemed to lose their impetus and the game seemed to lose its sense of direction. In the next 25 minutes very little of any note took place – save Quins taking their one and only scoring opportunity of the match – bringing the score to 3 – 15.

A Joe Price try livened up the last few minutes as Bracknell chased the 4 try bonus point but it wasn’t to be.

Oxford Harlequins 3 – 20 Bracknell (Quins 0 points – Bracknell 4 points)

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Stuart Silvester, Matt Brambley, Leo Bailey, Ollie Taylor, Pete Austin, George Milligan (C), Nico Maybury, Barry Dwyer, Owain Davies, George Owen, Ben Nowak, Joe Price, Ian Burch, Stuart Mackay. Subs – Giuseppe Salustri, Chris Brember, Nick Ovens (all played)

Pete’s Predictions

Because Bracknell’s game was postponed last week I missed the chance to comment on the results so here are my thoughts on Saturday 3rd January.

Promotion candidates? Last week saw a couple of very significant results in the promotion race. Redingensians travelled to Brixham for what must have been one of their sternest tests of the season and came out as winners. This win became all the more significant when Exmouth suffered an unexpected loss at Bournemouth. As a result ‘Gensians opened up what I believe to be an unassailable 11 point gap at the top.

Win of the week? Despite the significance of the result at Brixham, win of the week has to go to Bournemouth. Congratulations to them

Relegation worries? Barnstaple’s win over Weston-super-Mare will be a relief and a serious concern respectively

Now on to this week…….

Promotion candidates? No change at the top other than Brixham feeling the back lash of Exmouth’s ear bashing on the training ground during the week.

Win of the week? Two sides beat opposition placed above them with Old Pat’s starting the New Year at home in the same way they ended last year against Bracknell. Their second consecutive home win against opposition higher placed in the league, this time against Newton Abbot, will help their efforts to escape the relegation zone but in my opinion the stand out result is Old Reds beating Hornets. Congratulations to them!

Relegation worries? Having added just two losing bonus points to their tally since November things are looking a bit ominous at Weston-super-Mare. Old Reds are not well placed but any side who can turn over Hornets will not be throwing the towel in yet.

Next week’s fixtures

Next week’s league fixtures see Bracknell host Redingensians. This is a local derby that was too close to call last season but I fear that The Rams have the edge this time around. I can only hope that my pessimism is matched in equal measure by complacency on the part of the Rams, but I doubt it. In any event, Bracknell need to be at their very best if they are to get something from the game and they will need all the support they can get.

Come on down to Lily Hill Park to see if we can give the league leader’s promotion prospects a bit of a wobble.

GO BRFC!