Oxford Harlequins II 17 - Bracknell II 21

Following a narrow defeat and an under par performance in the Stags last outing, the top of table clash v Oxford Harlequins was going to be the ideal motivation to put things right and re-establish some control on the League.

With a number of players back in key positions, on paper Bracknell were near enough back to a full strength side, although a couple of tough selection calls were made during the week the Stags still needed to perform and I am happy to say that their was marked improvement, although still there can be more.

Bracknell got off to a solid start and although the sun was glaring into everyone eyes, some good handling by both forwards and backs saw the stags round of a solid first solid 10 minutes with a good try out wide with Gavin Edgar skinning his opposite number to go over and converted by George Elliott.

As is mostly the case the side who score for some bizarre reason always become vulnerable from the resulting kick off and this proved to be the case for the Stags. Even though we regained the kickoff and made good yards though some driving mauls and a rucks, the ball was spun wide only for a mix up in comms between the backs for a ball to be intercepted by the Quins center to go over unopposed so a quick 7-7 leveller. The rest of the half was pretty even with both sets of forwards going at it full on, supported by some average attack options from both sets of backs. However Quins were probably starting to get the upper hand in the backs and this again resulted in a try, which seem to give them more confidence.

Bracknell against the slope where trying there best to gain momentum and control and to be fair started to realize that the Quins team did not really want to get drawn into a forward battle any longer and after a prolonged period of time in the Quins half a fine individual effort by Mike Eastwell who charged through the crowd and reached out to touch down and with another conversation from Elliott the score was 14:14 and half time called.

The second half started with both sides cancelling each other out for long periods, however Quins sneaked a penalty and took the lead 17-14. This proved to be the turning point for better and worse.

Through out the game the tension was building between both teams with the ref not controlling the contact / breakdown area, with constant infringements both packs were starting to lose some cool. Bracknell faired better during this period and after a number of solid rucks into the Quins territory we finally got to a lineout on the Quins 5 m line and the ball was worked well to the back where through some great control eventually Stuart Laye plonked himself down for a typical forwards try. The conversion was very well taken from out wide by George Elliott and we entered the next phase 17-21 ahead.

Now the bad……for some reason the game started to go down hill and it seemed that at every breakdown or tackle that punches were being thrown….and eventually a red card shown to a Quins player who literally KO…Mike Eastwell who was having a very good game until that point!!! Then there was another scuffle and two more yellows shown to Daniel Ap Dafydd and the Quins scrum half…..from there on in the game become horrible to watch and probably to be in…to the point where the ref clearly felt that he had no control and called the game early….the first time in 38 years I have seen that and actually the first time for a lot of people including the ref!

Anyway the result stands and Bracknell Stags march on….drawing some space at the top of the table, a better performance for sure but still more to come…Chinnor next Saturday will also be a tough game but at least we are back on the winner train.

Best Wishes to Gavin Edgar who dislocated his shoulder we hope to see you back soon as possible and to Glass Jaw Eastwood…..for providing comedy value after the game….

Man of Match : Jasper Miranda carried well all game and tackled as we all know he does!! Scrummaged well in two positions!!!

Bracknell: 1. Gareth Staples 2. Jasper Miranda 3. Stuart Laye 4. Ryan Noakes 5. David Abbott 6. Nathan Crow 7. Jamie Rudkin 8. Ricky Frost 9. Daniel Ap Dafydd (C) 10. George Elliott 11. Gavin Edgar 12. Michael Clarke 13. Vasa Bai 14. Simon Bayliss 15. Ben Yates Subs: 16. Simon Brambley 17. Jack Conway 18. James Wright