Canterbury Shield - Division 3

Canterbury Shield - Division 3
Bracknell 2nds 12 v Shelford 2nds 21

This was a match that Team Manager Greg Anstead’s crusading youngsters let get away from them.
Shelford do not have the vitality of youth but make up for it with experience. This was seen in the scrum where the visitors were well beaten but did enough to stop this advantage being turned into point scoring opportunities.
Anstead rated his team’s performance as 4 out of 10 and blamed the failure on his forwards saying, “Shelford forwards were smarter, more aggressive and played with their heads. We are still in a shout for promotion but mustn’t let this rule the way we play. We need to concentrate on playing better but our young players have great potential and will benefit from days like this.”
Bracknell weren’t helped by referee who was simply too inconsistent and clearly struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.
The home team started the game well and went into a 7-0 lead after 13 minutes but failed to control their enthusiasm letting the visitors back in. Shelford also benefitted some good luck with both tries coming from fortunate bounces with the second coming on the stroke of half time and giving them a 7-12 lead. The second half saw Bracknell score a try but Shelford extended their lead with 3 penalties.
Anstead was confident his team would pick themselves up and have a chance to do that away to Staines this weekend.