Reading V 14 - 17 Bracknell IV

After looking like it could be difficult to get a side together with so many unavailable coach P.J with never say die attitude managed to get together a squad by the Friday afternoon and it was game on. This squad was made up of players having their first run in a Bracknell shirt.

This was all going to plan until 5 players called off between Friday evening and Saturday morning, weakening the side and potentially even having to call off the fixture. Thankfully no more calls to the coach, who had to play himself at hooker.

A squad of 17 set off travel to Reading in this TVL league game, determined to carry the club colours and perform well.

Though playing against a heavy opposition pack Bracknell proved to be no push over and indeed set to work putting pressure on in the tight. Showing aggression in the ruck area Bracknell started to impose themselves.

This rattled Reading and it was not long before ‘Chubby’ Boucher playing at fly half spotted a gap in the defence and crashed over. Converting his own try, 0-7.

Reading began to fight back but with some great defence they were kept at bay. With new lock Chad Fowlds having to go off with a chest injury there was a reshuffle in the pack with Christopher Heath Turrall going in the second row from bindside and Jake Parker coming into the back row.

The tempo of the game continued with Bracknell being solid in the scrum and the forwards of PJ, Dan Ledger, David Rosi , and Taran Barrington making some hard drives in to the opposition and putting in some crunching tackles. However a quick break from a spilled ball saw a try for Reading and the scores were tied at half time.

From the restart, Bracknell again pushed Reading back and duly got a penalty in which John Boucher slotted 7-10.

Ten minutes into the half PJ earnt a well deserved breather and came off with a record of securing all his own ball in the scrum and 1 against the head, ( his lineout was less to be desired)! His replacement Nigel “always late” Wright, at his first scrum, managed to kick the ball to his opposite number. Reading taking one against the head, ran the ball and scored ... 14-10.

This spurred Bracknell on and the game was constantly being played in Readings half , time after time Bracknell drove at Reading only last ditch tackling kept the score line in Readings favour.

Keeping faith the Green, Gold and Black of Bracknell, Bracknell kept to their task and were rewarded with a fine try by young debutant on the wing, Lewis ‘dancingfoot’ - out running his opposite number and the full back to score under the posts, Chubby Boucher converting. 14-17

With time running out for Reading one more attack was made by them but again the attitude and defence of Bracknell stemmed the tide and the final whistle went.

Out of all the seasons games so far in the 3s and 4s this was most rewarding in the fact that those that stepped up to PJs call did themselves and skipper David Tonkinson's proud, a side slung together with many out of position playing for the badge on their shirt and showing many in the club what the right spirit and attitude can bring when the chips are down.

Well done all involved and thanks P.J.

GO BRFC!!!!