Redingensians Vets 17 - 19 Bracknell Bulls

The Bulls made a welcome return to Bracknell colours for a friendly fixture with a competitive and well drilled Redingensians Horde. The Bulls featured some old faces and blooded some newbies, including Peter Rolfe who last played at the age of 15! The Bulls battled hard in the first half whilst they tried to establish some patterns and a game plan! The Horde showed greater unit skills and through the forgotten art of the driving mail dominated the first half. Matt Flanagan the Hordes oversized but cultured scrum half ran the show, and the Bulls found themselves 12-0 down at half time.

To be fair, had the Bulls midfield held on to a few passes in the first half to exploit the huge gaps in the Hordes back line, the shoreline could have been different at the break.

In the second half, the Bulls hit their straps and the forwards worked manfully to provide the backs with plenty of quality ball, and as the game opened up the Bulls found the space they wanted. Two try's from Radford ( converted by Matt Tipper) and Chris Samson, levelled the game with a full quarter to go.

The impressive Flanagan then took a quick tap close the Bulls line and walked over untouched, the conversion was missed. So 17-12 down the Bulls fought back and had the best of the play, resulting in a stylish backs move which Lee Woods completed with a pace. The conversion from Radford put the Bulls in front for the first time in the game.

The last 5 minutes were frantic and confused... The Bulls believing they were level, desperately looked for drop goal opportunities and missed a couple, whilst the Horde having been misinformed by the referee that they were 5 points adrift (thanks Alan!) turned down kickable penalties looking for 7 points to win the game.

The whistle went and the Bulls had won... A great effort as the side contained a number of lads returning to the game after many years on the touchline, so well done to Peter Rolfe, Ian Sutherland, Chris Warner, Christopher Heath Turrall, Mark Findley and Matt Harman (who pulled his hamstring minutes before the game... Next time Matt...

Team:- Simon Brambley, Nigel Wright, Paul Smith, Christopher Heath Turrall, Ian Sutherland, Tim Wood, Chris Warner, Dave Tonkinson, Matt Tipper, Martin Radford, Chris Samson, Rob Whiting, Dave Goad, Peter Rolfe, Lee Woods, Mark Findley, Karl Findley, Ben Radford, Matt Harman.