Henley Vikings 12 - Bracknell Stags 24

On a typical damp, cold November Saturday we all needed something to raise the heat and it was provided at the Top of the table clash with Henley last weekend.

Bracknell has been playing with confidence and swagger all year and have come off the back of 6 straight wins with some quality rugby being played. With no disrespect to the previous weeks game v Reading it was obvious from the outset that the Henley team were going to be a different proposition and a step up in class and so this proved probably up until the final 20 minutes where the Bracknell Stags showed what commitment and dedication to their muckers on and off the park means to each other…to those who could not be there (Tom and Jasper), we held a minutes silence, firstly to remember Tom, for those who had the privilege of knowing him and for Jasper who we all know is going through a sad and difficult time, our thoughts are with you.

So, there was no real need for any further motivation. Bracknell are top still with 7 from 7 and came out of the blocks firing, in fact Daniel Ap Dafydd rightly identified that the pace of the game in the first 10 minutes would match any senior club game in National 3. Bracknell however looked the more comfortable and after a number of phases moved the ball well side to side and eventually picked the right holes in the Henley defence and were awarded with a fine try by Gavin Edgar out wide on the wing.

Henley however showed some class of their own from the restart and caught Bracknell knapping and with what was a hurried clearance from Andy Slade the kick was charged down and scored by the follow up of the Henley Centre who it has to be said was a very solid player and actually made a difference from Henley all game.

This seemed to spark Bracknell into life and again we started to run our patterns and even though Henley were very good defensively another try was awarded, his time through some very strong running and clinical finishing from Nathan Crow, who continues to put his hand up for higher honours.

The rest of the first half was tit for tat and with both sides playing very similar patterns and defensive structures and the ball really being played in the middle of the park or so it felt, when late in the half Richard Brember finished off some great interchange play with the forwards who put the backs into a great position to run hard from deep and break the spirit of the Henley Team…with the only down side of the half being an injury and loss of James Short. Shorty was playing well and sadly for him another injury!! will mean we will not see him for a few more weeks! Good Luck mate we hope to have you back soon. This however opened the door for an angry Sam Paine who himself is back from injury and wanted to prove a point.

Half time: 12 : 17 Bracknell

The second half started pretty much the same as the first. Both sides playing great rugby and probing for territory. Tactical changes were made with the introduction of Jack Conway at 9 and the switch to 10 for Daniel Ap Dafydd, this made a significant change to the pace of the game at the right time, both very experienced players putting the team in the right areas.

As the light started to fade and the temperature dropping, the Bracknell fitness started to tell and some free flowing rugby produced another fine try through who I think was Sam Paine under all the bodies but who cares, Bracknell were now taking control going into the last 12 minutes.

The forward pack were getting on top of Henley and driving huge inroads into Henley territory winning a lineout just inside the Henley 22, sadly for us and for David Abbott this resulted in at what first looked like a snapped ligament or ankle and the game was stopped for a while for him to be accessed. After Abbot eventually got off the pitch and with some changes being applied the momentum was lost. However, heads were still up and with credit to Henley who just kept throwing everything at Bracknell, the defence held solid as a rock…. and I will always remember as the last play of the game, which was to be a scrum, was about to engage a call came from the pack and the backs….DO THIS ONE FOR JASPER……..and did it they did…and that was that as they say…. Henley 12 Bracknell 24 …..great game…great win and a great TEAM…..

As a proud Coach (again) I have to make a special mention of three young players who without doubt have added and contributed a massive impact on our games this season (well 1 for Tom Field). The back 3 of Nathan Crow, James Wright and Tom Field (debut at 17 yrs old) would be welcomed at any club, the attitude and effort and all round ability of these three fine young players bodes well for the future of Bracknell RFC. Well done lads!

Please come down and support the lads this Saturday v Maidenhead at home if you cannot make the trip to Weston.

Bracknell: 1. Gareth Staples 2. Simon Brambley 3. Stuart Laye 4. David Abbott 5. Ryan Noakes 6. Tom Field 7. Nathan Crow 8. James Wright 9. Daniel Ap Dafydd (C) 10. George Elliott 11. Richard Brember 12. Andy Slade 13. James Short 14. Gavin Edgar 15. Vasa Bai 16. Sam Paine 17. Robbie Wright 18. Jack Conway