Bournemouth 10 – 13 Bracknell

Although this was one of Bracknell’s shorter away trips of the season their route took them well outside the league’s geographical area through part of Surrey, a fair bit of Hampshire and the New Forest and finally back into the South West League territory of Dorset and the not so sleepy seaside town of Bournemouth.

Bournemouth were looking for a 4th successive home win in a run that includes the taking of the impressive scalp of Exmouth while it’s also worth noting that they have only lost once in the last 5 games – a record that couldn’t be bettered by anyone and is only equalled by Exmouth themselves and Old Centralians.

This ranks Bracknell’s performance even higher than it might first appear because having only lost twice at home all season (to Redingensians and Hornets) Bournemouth are a side who have well and truly shrugged off any early season relegation concerns and now look to trouble the sides above them as Exmouth, Brixham and Old Cents can attest to.

If you take into account that Bournemouth were 10 – 0 up at half time having played into a stiff breeze, Bracknell’s win was all the more remarkable, unlikely and for those watching at half time – unexpected.

Right from the start Bournemouth were physical, aggressive and uncompromising and their robust approach from the outset put Bracknell on the back foot. The first half saw Bracknell concede 2 yellow cards, a converted try and a penalty – all while the wind was in their favour. Half time 10 – 0.

Quite what changed the game is difficult to put your finger on….Bracknell, who had not had a lot of possession in the first half (and when they did, did little with it) just looked like a different side.

They started to work a number of phases together, made ground on their carries and more importantly started to rattle the opposition. The home side’s first half dominance and composure visibly diminished and it was their turn to feel the pain of the referee’s yellow card.

In the second half Bournemouth lost the yellow card count by 3 to 1 – they lost the scoreline by 13 to nil and even turned their back on the opportunity to level the game with a penalty in front of the posts with a minute to go but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

As Bracknell’s forwards stepped up to the plate and took the game to the opposition they created a stream of possession for their backs who are always dangerous with ball in hand. To compound this, whenever Bracknell’s attack faltered and Bournemouth managed to get their hands on the ball with the wind at their backs they kicked the ball back to Bracknell to allow them to start again. Although it seemed to be the right thing to do Bournemouth did themselves no favours by kicking possession away as Bracknell ran the kicks back with ever increasing enthusiasm

As Bournemouth started to creak under the pressure of the Bracknell attacks their first yellow card led to a penalty 17 minutes into the second half as George Owen got the visitors on the scoreboard. Further Bracknell pressure then worked a try for George Owen and the comeback was well and truly underway. 10 – 8.

Bracknell’s commitment to a varied but expansive game continued to stretch the home side to breaking point. Drives by George Milligan and Giuseppe Salustri to name but two kept the home side on the back foot and every one of the Bracknell forwards worked hard to overturn the mauling they had suffered in the first half. 2 more Bournemouth yellow cards, conceded in desperate defence against endless waves of attack left weaknesses that Bracknell’s fitness enabled them to exploit. Ian Burch’s 66th minute try, having received the ball well outside the 22 with several players to beat gave Bracknell the lead for the very first time in the game. 10 -13

The final few minutes were excruciating. Bournemouth, back to full strength and needing points finally put some phases together and found themselves in Bracknell’s 22. Sensing a weight advantage, they turned down a possible 5 metre lineout and at least two penalties (one in front of the posts) and backed their dominance in the scrummage. Despite conceding a yellow card in the front row Bracknell then stole a ball against the head and in the ensuing melee held out for the win.

Final score Bournemouth 10 – Bracknell 13 (Bournemouth 1 point – Bracknell 4 points)

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

Pete’s Predictions

Promotion candidates. Wins all round for the top 4 so very little changes at the top. I still think it will go down to the penultimate game of the season when Exmouth travel to Redingensians but this makes the rather rash assumption that Exmouth will win at Old Cents next week. As many of us know to our cost – even a good side can slip up on that pitch….

Win of the week. Barnstaple certainly deserve a mention (so you already know it’s not you) with their resounding win over Hornets being the only win this week by a side against opposition higher in the league. That having been said, Hornets haven’t been in very good shape recently and only have 1 win in 5 so far in 2015. So, in the context of the league (as I like to put it) Win of the Week goes to Old Patesians for their “10 pointer” away win at Oxford Harlequins.

Relegation worries. Chard still aren’t mathematically relegated but it’s only a matter of time. While they may still have their pride to play for today must have tested even that to the limits.
Weston-super-Mare are clear favourites to join them being without a win in their last 10 games while for the first time in quite a while – as a result of Old Pats’ win of the week there’s a gap between the side placed third from bottom and their nearest rivals. Whether this gap can be described as daylight or darkness depends on which direction you are looking at it from but there must be an element of doom and gloom in the Oxford Quins camp. Their slow but steady slip from the top half of the table to the relegation zone looks to me as if they don’t have what it takes to turn their season around and with all of their nearest rivals being on a bit of a roll I think the writing is on the wall.

Next week’s fixtures
If Oxford Harlequins don’t get a result against Old Reds next week they are in trouble. Other than a trip to W-s-M they have a very difficult run in to the end of the season. My money is on Old Reds but let’s see.
Elsewhere at the bottom, Chard have what the form book says is their best remaining chance to chalk up their second win of the season against W-s-M

At the top, the promotion candidates both head to Gloucestershire but “Gensians trip to Old Pats looks more palatable that Exmouth’s trip to Old Cents so despite my wish for a nail biting finish I think that it’s unlikely that the gap between 1st and 2nd spot will narrow at all next weekend

England play in Ireland on Sunday next week so Saturday is free to come down to Bracknell to cheer the Bracknell boy’s on in their attempt to avenge their narrow 1 point defeat at the hands of Brixham back in November. That result is the difference between 3rd and 4th in the league and my bet is on a repeat result – yet another home win. There’s a reasonably priced pre-match lunch to loosen up your vocal chords so book in advance with Wardy (email: StevenJamesWard@btinternet.com) and come on down to make a day of it!!!!

GO BRFC !