Bracknell 35 – 40 Hornets

Apologies for the rather predictable headline but it does sum things up rather well as Bracknell lose out to Hornets for a second time this season – both times having relinquished a lead with very little time to go to a Hornets side that just wouldn’t give up. Those Hornets are persistent little blighters.

Losing out in the dying minutes was not the only instance of history repeating itself either. Only last week a side travelled up from Weston-super-Mare to turn over Bracknell in their own back yard. Up until recently Bracknell’s only home defeat throughout the entire season had been to Exmouth and now they have suffered two more home defeats in as many weeks.

But this isn’t where that feeling of deja vu ends. Towards the end of last season Bracknell put together a couple of disappointing performances losing to Old Reds and the relegation bound Worcester Wanderers. Perhaps that’s a bad omen for Weston-super-Mare.

The worry that Bracknell had carried last week’s fragility into this week was there right from the start. Hornets scored after only 5 minutes and soon after a Bracknell penalty they scored again. With just 15 minutes gone the score was 3 -14.

Bracknell were to fight back with tries from George Owen and Chris Brember, both converted by George Owen to take the lead on the half hour but it wouldn’t last long. In a game where the lead would change hands no less than 6 times Hornets finished the half with 4 converted tries to Bracknell’s three converted tries and a penalty – an Ian Burch try being the score that whittled the half time lead down to just 3 points. 25 -28.

Soon after the break George Owen converted his own try as Bracknell re-took the lead 32 -28. Not for the last time however, Hornets fought back. An unconverted try re-took the lead at 32 – 33 only to let it slip again as a George Owen penalty made it 35 – 33.

Having rather strangely turned down more than one opportunity to steal a single point advantage on the scoreboard by declining very kickable penalties Hornets persistence then paid off. Yet another try through their backs took the lead for the final time and they defended solidly for the last 10 minutes to smother any last gasp home hopes. 35 – 40.

A few of the larger framed onlookers among the Bracknell former players who had attended a pre-match lunch couldn’t understand why Bracknell had not kept the ball in the forwards for a while and with hind sight perhaps they were right. To give you an idea of the sort of open running game that was on display it’s worth noting that out of 75 points scored not one was scored by a forward from either side. Bracknell’s points all came from numbers 11, 13 and 14 while Hornet’s points came from 10, 11, 12 and 14.

Final score Bracknell 35 – 40 Hornets (Bracknell 2 points – Hornets 5 points)

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

Pete’s Predictions

Promotion candidates. It’s still possible for Exmouth to catch Redingensians given that the two sides meet next week but even if Exmouth take a surprise 5 points they would still need ‘Gensians to lose their final game at Barnstaple. On a day when the theme has been history repeating itself however, I do recall that the last time Redingensians travelled to Barnstaple they came away with nothing. It’s not over until the fat lady sings……but I think she’ll be singing after next Saturday’s game

If things go as we expect then Exmouth should have home advantage in the playoffs as long as they don’t do anything silly in their final game against Weston-super-Mare!!!!! Their ply off opposition looks like Barnes (who still have to play the side in top spot) or London Irish Wild Geese. Interesting to note that all 3 of these sides have had experience in the league above in recent seasons

Win of the week. I have to admit that Hornets deserve a mention but I’ve also detailed how Bracknell have just gone off the boil in recent weeks. Old Cents will have relished an away win at Brixham but I think that Brixham have got a touch of whatever it is that Bracknell are suffering from – particularly now that they are Devon Champions for the first time in 83 years.

So it’s back to my old phrase “in the context of the league” and having seen Weston-super-Mare close the gap on them last week with an unlikely win at Bracknell, Old Reds were really under pressure as they travelled to Barnstaple. 3 – 6 doesn’t usually sound like a contender for “Win of the week” but this week my congratulations go to Old Redcliffians. Not only does this restore what should be a large enough gap between them and W-s-M but it also spares my blushes after my very own Bracknell side gave W-s-M a glimmer of hope that they might just be able to avoid relegation with what is rumoured to be a last gasp flash of cash.

Relegation worries. Luckily I was at Twickenham last week so I didn’t have to eat my words. When W-s-M beat Bracknell that was their 3rd win in a row and for a side that had only won 3 games all season up until then this was a bit of an eye opener. Having already confined them to the drop in my predictions the week before I certainly didn’t see it coming. Despite having put up a real fight against the league leaders this week however, I’m now confident in saying that the bottom three are doomed. How can W-s-M beat Exmouth and Hornets when both games are away and the combined points from the home fixtures was 13 - 99?

Next week’s fixtures Exmouth must beat ‘Gensians if they have any hope of automatic promotion but I think their best bet it to secure a home playoff spot.

In a catch-up week next week Old Pats play Old Reds and the result should see one of them stay up while the other will be the only side that can be caught. Unlikely as it may be, being 4th from bottom and mathematically catchable is still a rather uncomfortable place to be.

In the full week of fixtures in two weeks’ time W-s-M must win if they are to stay up and given the bitter local rivalry between them and Hornets that game could be a humdinger. By my calculations unless there is a high scoring draw between Old Pats and Old Reds next week Hornets will have the chance to relegate their local rivals. Having played second fiddle to their more illustrious neighbours for their entire existence surely this is a gilt edged opportunity that will be too good to miss.

Bracknell travel to Newton Abbot where I can see another high scoring game and the boys will need to bolster up their defences if they are to avoid 3 loses in a row. Bracknell supporters should check out the trains to Newton Abbot. Believe it or not, if you catch the right train at Reading, Newton Abbot is just 2 stops down the line!

GO BRFC