Exmouth 16 – 11 Bracknell

I need to be honest from the start – I didn’t go the Exmouth this week so any comments on this game are based on third hand information or pure fabrication (so, no difference there then…..)

What I have been told is that Bracknell never left the starting blocks in the first half, while what I know is that Exmouth scored 16 unanswered points in the first half with two unconverted tries and two penalties. Half time 16 – 0

With what can only be described as a bit of a comeback in the second half, Bracknell scored one try through George Milligan (unconverted) and 2 penalties from Owain Davies and Exmouth failed to score a single point. Full time 16 – 11

You might want to imagine that there was a strong breeze down the pitch that resulted in a “game of two half’s” but I understand that was not the case. What is rather strange is that something similar happened when Exmouth played Bracknell at Lily Hill Park earlier this season. Exmouth were 7 – 30 up away from home at one stage but were to win by 31 – 37 in the end. Today’s result appears to be just a lower scoring version with a similar outcome.

The Bracknell boys had a long journey back to Berkshire to reflect on the result but they should be aware that only Redingensians have beaten Exmouth at Exmouth this season. Today’s game was Exmouth’s lowest points haul at home so far this year by some margin; Bracknell and ‘Gensians are the only sides to have left Exmouth with any points in the bag so far this season. This ranks their visit today as a very commendable effort – and any disappointment at todays result is just an indication of what a good side they know they can be.

Exmouth 16 – 11 Bracknell (Exmouth 4 points – Bracknell 1 point)

Bracknell – Matt Brambley, Stuart Silvester, Jonny Mirza, Leo Bailey, Ollie Taylor, Giuseppe Salustri, George Milligan (C), Michael Clarke, Barry Dwyer, Rob Smart, George Owen, Ben Nowak, Stuart Mackay, Ian Burch, Owain Davies. Subs –Kenny Barry, Pete Austin, Chris Brember

Pete’s Predictions

Promotion candidates. Redingensians’ stuffing of Hornets shows that they are still hot favourites for promotion despite any recent well documented blips (I’m still smiling). Exmouth look the most likely to nab the playoff spot now that maximum points from Hornets’ 3 games in hand still leave them more that a win away from 2nd spot if the points difference stays as it is – unless of course those wins are absolute belters!

While we are on the subject of point’s difference – which by a strange coincidence we are – how come Bracknell aren’t 3rd in the league? Bracknell are on 58 points, the same as Brixham but with a far better points difference so what’s going on? Answers on a postcard please because I don’t want my ignorance to be displayed for all to see online even though it might be a bit late to start worrying about that….

Win of the week. Three sides beat opposition placed above them in the league and that will always put them in the frame at least. Oxford Harlequins will no doubt have enjoyed their win against higher placed opposition but Newton Abbot’s form has been poor in recent weeks with just one win from five and that by just a single point against struggling W-s-M.

Bournemouth picked up a win of the week against Exmouth a while back but then only just edged out W-s-M before beating Brixham this week for their 3rd home win in a row – the sort of form many other relegation candidates just can’t match but to be honest Brixham haven’t impressed away from home since beating Hornets way back in November.

So, win of the week goes to Old Redcliffians for beating Old Centralians for their 3rd win in four games - all against opposition placed above them in the league. Can you believe that the last side Old Reds lost to was…..wait for it……Chard?

Relegation worries. Unless something dramatic happens the only thing yet to be decided is who ends up in 12th place – the third relegation spot. Old Patesians and Barnstaple both scored predictable wins against the prime relegation candidates so their wins might be tempered by their relegation rivals all having taken less predictable scalps. As has been the case for some time, none of the sides in the bottom half of the table is able to relax as things stand.

Next week’s fixtures If Hornets still hold out hopes for a playoff spot then they need to do better next week than they did this week. If they fail to beat visitors Exmouth I think there will be too much ground to make up despite their games in hand.

The only real relegation battle sees Old Reds visit Old Pats. While Old Pats are strong at home the current form of Old Reds suggests there could be an upset.

Bracknell are at home to a Barnstaple side who at one time were looking like they were in serious trouble but have turned around their season with just 3 losses from their last 10 games. If Bracknell play to their ability I can see a home 5 pointer but anything less than their best and the game is in the balance.

Come on down to Lily Hill Park for the only home game for several weeks plus there's lunch for a tenner!!

GO BRFC