Bracknell IV 40 - 7 Beaconsfield Bandits

This was a classic grassroots rugby match, both sides fielding XV's with a blend of youth and experience, colts making senior debuts and oldies hanging on to those bygone years and those in between - it was a wonderful example of why the rugby is the greatest sport in the world.

Bathed in the Lily Hill sunshine The Beaconsfield Bandits started strongly and applied the early pressure, looking like a score was as certain as on Bradley Walters blind date the night before. Pressing hard on the Bracknell line a looping pass was intercepted by Callum Baker making his senior debut - he sprinted the length in the style of a drag queen chased from a working man's club to score under the Bandits posts. John Boucher converted and Bracknell led 7-0. This was an archetypal 14 pointer.

The Bandits looked good with ball in hand, but couldn't complete, mainly due to poor handling but also to some stout Bracknell defence, which was excellent, aggressive and at times brutal.

Over the next 20 mins Bracknell slowly turned the screw - The Bandits created less, whilst Jacob Elliott, Stu Green and John Boucher found gaps - the old heads up front Messrs Ledger, Munro and Rosi took control whilst Matt Kingston and Skipper Jones scythed down the opposition - the defensive work was impressive.

On 27mins Bracknell extended their lead. Michael Eastwell, now on in the centre, cut a line making ground and found Va'a Mulipola on the charge, his offload and two subsequent passes found Dave Rosi. With men outside, the old warhorse, fearless and gnarly, charged at the Bandits, snapping and snorting to bust through their shield wall to score. JB converted, Bracknell led 14-0.

Bracknell had worked this one out, the structure was good - hitting hard in the 10 channel, drawing defenders in, before moving the ball wide where they had pace in abundance. Definitively though, Bracknells defence was superb, led by Va'a Mulipola - he is an assassin, ruining ribs and expelling air from lungs at every opportunity - passes in his direction didn't have hospital written on them, they were suicidal.

It was clear at half time that this was Bracknell's game to win or lose, and this was illustrated almost immediately in the 2nd half - the excellent Stu Green fielded a kick and attacked hard making ground with footwork & pace - Bracknell support lines had been good all day, so it was no surprise when Michael Eastwell popped up on Stu's shoulder and raced to the line with the look of someone being chased by a killer clown. JB converted to extend the lead to 21-0.

The Bandits weren't a bad side and when the passes stuck and phases were strung together they looked dangerous. The pressure grew and The Bandits received their just reward when they attacked Bracknell through the 10 channel off an attacking scrum to score.

Was this the renaissance, a revival, had the tide turned? Absolutely not - Bracknell's blitz defence had been superb all day - Radders Junior and Mike Eastwell playing 12 & 13 are close buddies, so many unspeakable shared experiences together, this intuition allowed them to dominate and suppress the Bandits midfield like a pair of high class dominatrix.

Bracknell's go forward was now unstoppable, Va'a destructive, the backs cutting lines and Bradley Walters now on, was bouncing Bandits off like a Pamplona Bull.

However with 10mins to play, The Bandits on the front foot and slender lead to defend Bracknell needed a catalyst to close this one out - on came Sam Holt - he was destined to impact this fixture.

Boucher, Radford and Eastwell executed a classic move of yesteryear - 'Rangy' was called - Eastwell bust a hole, making ground but the Bandits cover defence was good. Hauled down 5m short, Mike looked for his support, Sam Holt was on hand to take the pass and thunder through to score his 1st senior try, the cheer resonated around Lily Hill Park.

From the restart Bracknell came forward once again. Matt Kingston broke the line, Va'a continued the move before the Pamplona Bull carried the ball deep in to the Bandits 22, dummied and feed Sam 'Thunder' Holt to strike again - Running the ball under the post ThunderHOLT scored his second. JB converted and Bracknell led 33-7.

Soon after the restart Jacob Elliott executed a brilliant tackle and Jackal , this released Bracknell for one final attack, once agin Mike E cut a line and glided through the Bandits line, Taz Hayden was on hand to run it in from 25m out. Ben Radford converted to secure resounding but hard fought 40 - 7 win.

This was a fantastic result for Bracknell with notable contributions all around from resolute oldies, aspirational youngsters and the newbies making their senior debuts. Congratulations to Matt Kingston for his Man of the Match performance, Callum Baker who made fantastic start to his senior career including a first touch try and Sam Thunder Holt for his brace of try's.

But above all, this was a good day for the Thames Valley Invitation League with both teams fielding over 20 players, in a game that was played in the true spirit of rugby. Well done to all involved.

Bracknell: Dan Ledger, Karl Cook, Jack Tann, Rob Munro, Ian Sutherland, Michael Jones (c), Matt Kingston, Dave Rosi, Taz Hayden, John Boucher, Callum Baker, Ben Radford, Stuart Green, Jacob Elliott, Lee Woods Subs: Sam 'Thunder' Holt, Nick 'Ap Dafydd' Sheppard, Peter Turner, Bradley Walters, Michael Eastwell, Va'a Mulipola