Bracknell III 27 - 7 Thatcham II

After postponed games and training the mighty threes were eager to get 2014 under way.

Having beaten Thatcham away in a hard fought battle, both sides had a win on their mind. Thatcham turned up at Lily Hill extremely early and one could tell that they were intent on going back to West Berkshire with what they hoped would be a bonus point victory. With Bracknell top of the league and wanting to remain there, PJ focused his troops well and truly before the game and it was evident from the kick off that this match was going to be another feisty encounter.

With Thatcham receiving the kick off Bracknell immediately showed why they are top with a bone jolting drive on the receiver, driving Thatcham deep into their own half. An early onslaught from Bracknell saw Thatcham defend well but it was not long before the early Bracknell pressure was turned to points when Ben Radford slotted a penalty.

The majority of the first 20 minutes was spent in the Thatcham half. The visitors intentions of an easy victory were diminished when another penalty was slotted by Ben Radford. It was Thatcham who now had to solve the Bracknell problem and clear their lines constantly.

Within 10 minutes the Bracknell score at increased. Steven Reid crashed over after good work from the pack , half backs Sam Turney and Ben Radford. Ben Radford again kicking the conversion. The score 13-0. This score could have been increased even further with the ball worked wide twice out to winger Stefano Rosi, but a mixture of gallant defending and wrong options saw the scores squandered.

Just before half time the visitors started to gain some possession and ventured into the Bracknell half, but as in attack the well drilled threes were hard hitting in defence and on several occasions turned over ball.

The second half started in similar fashion to where it had finished first, with Thatcham testing the Bracknell defence but after another display of bone crunching tackles and turn over ball Thatcham seemed to lose their concentration. Their frustration was showing through as they conceded a number of penalties and from one of these penalties Ben Radford put Bracknell into key position for attack. Good lineout work from David Abbott and well worked move from the back of line saw second row Ryan Noakes crash over. Ben Radford kicking the conversion, 20-0.

Shortly after Thatcham had worked the ball into the Bracknell 22 and a rare missed tackle saw Thatcham get some points with a converted try under the posts. But this score was short lived and with 15 minutes remaining a another try was scored for Bracknell after some excellent team handling and work resulting in a try for Ben Yates unopposed on the far wing, a good conversion by Ben Radford 27-7.

The last 10 minutes saw Bracknell retain constant possession and they closed the game out well.

A good victory and so the 'Three's' finished the day 8 points clear at the top of the table.

Bracknell Squad: Dan Ledger, Jon Bullett (C), Simon Brambley,Jake Parker, Chris Samson, Scott Walters, Tim Hipgrave, Ryan Noakes, Jason Lewis, David Abbott, A Warner, Ricky Frost, Sam Turney, Ben Radford, Ben Yates, Steven Reid, Nathan Mannering, John Boucher, Lee Woods, Stefano Rosi.