Berkshire continued their National U20s Championship campaign with a win over Oxfordshire in front of a large crowd at Bracknell Rugby Club on Sunday the 15th March.

The game was played in lovely sunshine with the first half producing high quality, exciting and very entertaining rugby. Berkshire were stunned within the first three minutes as Oxfordshire were awarded a penalty which their number 10 converted to put them 0-3 ahead. This penalty sparked Berkshire into immediate retaliation and they returned the compliment with an unconverted try from their captain Michael Clark (Bracknell RFC). The Berkshire forwards then settled into their rhythm and devastated their smaller opponents in the scrum. Constant forward surges produced a further unconverted try which put Berkshire 10 � 3 in the lead with around 10 minutes on the board.

The next 25 minutes saw a hard fought battle by Berkshire with the forwards dominating the scrum and lineout and the backs outplaying their Oxfordshire counterparts. Barty Carson (Henley RFC) rounded off a fine drive which also went unconverted by Berkshire number 10 Matt Morris (Bracknell) who not getting his range from the touchline. A good backline movement saw Jeremy Gurran (Bracknell RFC) go over in the corner which was not converted and which took the scorline to 15 -3. Wave after wave of solid forward play with excellent backline movements brought a try for consistent centre Isaac Nicholls (Newbury RFC) which was easily converted by the number 10. A further try (unconverted) by Jeremy Gurran on the stroke of half time took the scoreline to 27 � 3 and we were in for a feast.

Oxfordshire fought back right from the start of the second half whistle but were unable to penetrate the Berkshire defence and their first chance of points came from a penalty in front of the posts about 12 minutes into the half. They converted to bring the score to 27 � 6. Constant errors then saw Berkshire give away further penalties to edge the score closer. The Oxfordshire �never say die� attitude turned the tide on Berkshire which in turn disrupted their pattern of play in so far as the side went to sleep from the 50 minute mark up to around the 70 minute mark. This again led to the penalties being awarded to Oxfordshire who gratefully accepted, taking the scorecard to 27-12 where it remained up to the final whistle. The one positive point to come out of the second half for Berkshire would be the fact that their defence held steadfast to the end however this in itself will not win games in the future.

In Berkshire�s National U20 Championship run so far they have not let in a single try against them.

Berkshire will need to forget about their lapse in concentration in the second half, pick themselves up and look forward to their next National U20s Championship match against Dorset & Wiltshire at Bournemouth RFC March 22nd.

Berkshire Man of the Match as voted by Oxfordshire was Matt Symonds (Phoenix RFC) who again had a superb game at 2nd row and played a decisive part in Berkshire�s lineout domination. Well done Matt and keep up the good work.

Berkshire U20 Squad against Oxfordshire.

Alex Woolnough Hartpury College
Alistair Widdop Newbury RFC
Barty Carson Abbey RFC and Hartpury College
Elliot Brown Maidenhead RFC
George Robinson-Slater Newbury RFC
Isaac Nicholls Newbury RFC Uwic University
James Short Pangbourne College
James Smith Bracknell RFC and Bucks New Uni
Jamie Gregory Bracknell RFC
Jamie Pincott Cross Keys RFC and Glamorgan University
Jeremy Gurran Bracknell RFC
Josh Gaff Bracknell RFC
Leo Bailey Bracknell RFC and Nottingham Trent University
Luke Carter Bracknell RFC
Matt Rose ReadingEnsians
Mathew Morris Bracknell RFC
Mathew Symonds Phoenix RFC
Michael Clarke Bracknell RFC
Ollie Jordan Bracknell RFC
Will Clarke Newbury RFC and Hartpury College
Will Hopkins Bracknell RFC