Having seen the Development squad succumb to Newbury in the opening fixture of the day, Bracknell Under 13s were out for revenge, and were not going to take a step back all match long. Some last minute changes saw a whole new formation for Bracknell, with George Moran starting in the outside centre position, Bailey Anstead joining the forward pack, Isaac Williams coming into the U13s squad for the first time this season and Freddie Brown shifting out one spot to 12. The new look to the squad lead to an air of excitement on the side-lines and big things were expected.

From kick off, the chase was on. The forwards put in the hits, the backs followed suit, but Newbury were equal to the task, and most of the opening play stayed in the middle of the pitch. Depsite being well outweighed at scrum time, Bracknell dug in, with excellent strength and technique, as big Will Baker, Isaac and Harry Marshall-Davies held well under pressure, ensuring ball was secured time and again. Some Newbury breaks began, but excellent drift defence, by James Foster, who played superbly all match, prevented a clear three on one from going forward.

Bracknell first fluid attack was orchestrated from a well secured breakdown. Kaiden Fulcher’s pass from the base went through the hands of Freddy Cullity, into Freddie Brown whose quick offload sent George Moran smashing through the defence, jotting down in the left corner for the opening score of the match. Nine minutes later and George produced a moment of magic. A loose ball with kicked downfield, not once, not twice, but three times, as George showed some subtle football skills, to get the ball back in hand, and dot down for try number two. Newbury attacked well towards the end of the half, but some rock solid tackling from Max Shuttleworth and Freddie Brown completely neutralised any of the Newbury advances.

After half time, the Bracknell lads restarted with their foot on the gas. Bailey was demonic at the breakdown, and caused havoc for the Newbury team and won turnover after turnover, in a brilliant display of strength and jackal technique. Even with a dangerous high tackle form Newbury, that probably warranted more than a telling off, Bracknell never looked like they would struggle to penetrate the blue and whites defences. Another Bracknell attack once again ended with the ball in the hands of a rampaging George, who weaved his way through some poor defence, to complete his hat trick for the day. Newbury returned fire, with some clever kicking play, but at the back Max Wiley was solid, and never looked troubled. Defence turned to attack, as George drove over the gain line, for a nice bit of work at the breakdown secured fast ball which popped up into the hands of Will Baker, who was never going to be stopped from eight metres out. Will crashed over for the fourth try of the day, securing a bonus point win for the lads in green.

The final score of 4-0 has reflected the massive improve in Bracknell, who were nowhere near their potential on the day, but ground out a superb win, against a team they lost against, 7-5, in a friendly earlier this year.
Special mentions go to Max Shuttleworth, Freddie Brown and James Foster, for their huge defensive efforts, Kaiden Fulcher for his sturdy showing at scrum half and Alex Ali, who came on at half time and made a positive impact.

Player of the Match went to George Moran for his outstanding hat trick and overall performance throughout the match. An excellent start to a career in the backline.