Netwon Abbot 17 - Bracknell 40

In the past two seasons that Bracknell have been back in National League 3 SW, neither of the Berkshire sides (both Bracknell and league Champions Redingensians) have managed to record a win at Newton Abbots home ground, Rackerhayes. Having suffered two home defeats in their last two games it was a daunting task that Bracknell faced.

Bracknell made a number of changes from the team that faced Hornets last time out; in the pack Gareth Staples and Nick Ovens coming in at prop replacing the ‘groom of the day’ Jonny Mirza and Matt Brambley. Also on the bench making his first team debut, ex-BRFC academy player, Jasper Miranda.

Any worries that Bracknell may have had were extinguished with three first half trys from Ian Burch, Nick Ovens, and Stuart Silvester. George Owen converting two of the trys. Newton Abbot answering with one try of their own meaning the score at half time was 7-19 in Bracknell’s favour.

Bracknell secured the bonus point win in the second half with trys from Ollie Taylor, Barry Dwyer and a further try from Bracknell’s galloping winger Ian Burch, who claimed a brace on the day. Conversions kicked by George Owen.

Final score Newton Abbot 17 – Bracknell 40 (Newton Abbot 0 points – Bracknell 5 points)

A good win on the road for Bracknell was celebrated in the traditional rugby way – debutant Jasper Miranda showing how it is done!

Finally congrats go to Mr and Mrs Jonny Mirza on their wedding day. Best wishes to both of you from all at BRFC.

Bracknell: 1:Gareth Staples 2:Stuart Silvester 3:Nick Ovens 4:Ollie Taylor 5.Kenny Barry 6: Giuseppe Salustri 7:George Milligan (Capt) 8:Michael Clarke 9:Barry Dwyer 10:Rob Smart 11:Ben Yates 12:Ben Nowak 13:Chris Brember 14:Ian Burch 15:George Owen Subs: Nathan Crow, Jack Conway, Jasper Miranda, David Rosi.

Pete’s Predictions

Promotion candidates: So it’s all over! Despite the inevitable early nerves when Exmouth made a very positive start and dominated the first 10 minutes to make the first score, it was always going to be Redingensians’ day.

It was beautifully set up for them. Given their league position, the weather and the occasion – what could go wrong? Nothing was the answer. They were just too good for Exmouth on the day – and indeed the rest of the league over the season. As predicted, the fat lady got her opportunity to sing with a week to spare

We all of course, wish them well at the next level - but do they have the where with all to stay up there? Those who have tried and failed include (in our league) Exmouth and Bournemouth most recently, Old Pats and W-s-M in the past, and of course Bracknell! – not to mention Chinnor – who have to check their league status on a very regular basis just in case they have been relegated or promoted again since they last looked…..Our rivals in the London leagues have also seen a few up’s and down’s with both Barnes and London Irish Wild Geese having a bit of a Yo-yo- tag against them.

If I’m allowed to have just one more prediction for The Rams it’s this……I think they are going to be good enough to stay up next year! If I’m correct, it may be quite some time before they get the chance to chalk up their first ever league win at Bracknell’s Lily Hill Park!

Win of the week: This all gets a bit complicated when the total points scored this weekend was 476 - surely more than any other week in the season (not that I can be bothered to add them all up – it’s just a hunch….)

Weston-super-Mare’s result at Hornets, which is a real turn-around from the exchange between the 2 sides earlier in the season is worthy of consideration but unfortunately it’s all a bit too late. 4 wins in the last 5 games is impressive but 3 wins in the previous 20 is what your season has really been about.

I just have to mention Bracknell’s thrashing of Newton Abbot. Up until this weekend Newton Abbot have lost just 3 games at home and on every occasion have picked up a losing bonus point – until today. Who would have predicted that Bracknell (given their recent results) would travel all the way from East Berkshire to Devon and win by 23 points? Well, not me - that’s for sure – but a win worthy of a mention. GO BRFC

Old Cents (and indeed any side ) scoring 64 points would normally be up there for a shout but when Chard’s average score is about 15 points and they score 41 in reply you wonder if there was some sort of fundraiser going on…

Early on in the season Barnstaple would have taken any win that came their way so a season’s best 50 points at Oxford Quins shows how they have improved throughout the year but against a side already destined for the drop you need to do better than that for “win of the week”

So, in the games that really mattered we have Old Reds securing their own survival (and not relying on other results) with a fine 5 pointer against “born again” Bournemouth - but it was the top of the table clash that really mattered. Redingensians saw off their nearest rivals by a margin that could never have been foreseen. My “Win of the week” is Redingensians 37 Exmouth 7 – league title secured – promotion guaranteed - what else can I say other than congratulations to The Rams

Relegation worries: They aren’t worries ant longer – they are realities. Chard have known it for a long time, Oxford Harlequins have also had several weeks to come to terms with it but this week, Weston-super-Mare have finally had to accept that they are going to be playing at a league level that I suspect (?) they have never played at before. I hate to remind you but W-s-M were my very first relegation candidates of the season so excuse me for being on the smiley side of smug.

Next week’s fixtures: Exmouth need to beat Weston-super-Mare next week to ensure a home play-off. If they do they will still be up against a Barnes side who have won 12 games on the bounce to get their playoff opportunity. Exmouth shouldn’t rely on home advantage alone to take them back to level 4 – I suspect Barnes may travel to Devon with realistic expectations of an away win.

While Barnstaple might want to remind “Gensians” of last season’s opener the result won’t change anything of any significance.

In a fixture that can affect final standings Old Cents travel to Bracknell for the “third place playoff”. Bracknell will want to avenge their loss at Old Cent’s on the first game of the season but equally, Old Cent’s will be looking to repeat their 2012/13 win at Lily Hill Park. It will be interesting to see who wants the 3rd place bragging rights.

On the back of their fantastic win at Newton Abbot this week Bracknell will be looking to finish the season on a high so please come on down to Lily Hill Park for your last chance to support the Bracknell boys this season

GO BRFC