The last time these two sides met it was a close affair Bracknell winning 10-5. This time it was ever closer as Chichester visited Lily Hill for the first time.

On a very wet and windy day Bracknell played the first half away from the clubhouse full of VPs and Former Players that had enjoyed a pre match lunch.

It was Chichester that enjoyed the opening minutes with an early drive that challenged the Bracknell try line. They were to open the scoring with a penalty from fly half Rich Adams after 4 minutes.

Bracknell failed to trouble the scorer with their first penalty attempt. Lewis Dennett’s kick just falling short. With the rain getting heavier Bracknell finally drew level with a Lewis Dennett penalty.

From the resultant restart, Bracknell failed to go through their exit drills correctly. Chichester taking full advantage and were awarded a five meter scrum after being held up in the Bracknell try area.

The next play was the most controversial of the game. With the scrum seemingly stood up and wheeled referee Sarah Toll allowed the play to continue before deeming that the now collapsed scrum was due to a Bracknell infringement and awarded a penalty try to Chichester, without issuing any previous warnings as is the normally accepted practice. Conversion in front of the posts was good 3-10.

Into the final 10 minutes of the half Bracknell had another penalty which was again to fall short before closing the gap with a further penalty. 6-10 to Chichester.

Chichester had a chance to extend their lead but the penalty going wide. 6-10 at half time.

Into the second half, a good break by Ian Birch was rewarded with a Lewis Dennett penalty this time going between the uprights. 9-10.

Bracknell had the better of the possession, if not the territory, in the second half that seemed to be played primary on the half way line. Neither side being able to assert their will on the other in a half that was so littered with penalties the referee had to issuing warnings to both sides.

30 minutes into the second half, with it now difficult to tell the difference between the mud covered players of each side, Bracknell had a chance to take the lead, the penalty attempt going wide.

With time up on the clock, Bracknell went through the phases again and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but unfortunately for Bracknell the attempt went agonisingly wide.

Full time: Bracknell 9 - Chichester 10 (Points: Bracknell 1 Chichester 4)

The 1XV return to action away at Eton Manor on 5th March but still plenty on next week:
- Friday 26th sees the return of our Quiz Night, should you wish to book in a team then please contact Simon Newman (e: simon.newman@ntpuk.com).
- Saturday 27th the Stags and 3XV are at home at Lily Hill (both KO 2.15pm), both 6 Nations games to be shown on the clubhouse screens, including England vs Ireland (KO 4.50pm).

Bracknell: 1:Rob Baragwanth 2:Joe Pickett 3:Jonny Mirza ( c ) 4:James Wright 5.Josh Kronman 6:Tom Deveraux 7:Jamie Rudkin 8:George Milligan 9:Lewis Dennett 10:Jack Conway 11:Ian Burch 12:Neil Higgins 13:Chris Brember 14:Grant Coates 15:Ben Yates Subs: Stuart Silvester, Lachlan Valentine, Danz Faamatuainu

Pete’s Predictions
Only 5 out of 7 predictions correct last week but to be fair – the results I got wrong were both single point wins by the away side (Chichester and Guernsey) – close but no cigar. More worryingly is that it’s the 2nd week that Bracknell managed to lose a home game against opposition in a similar position in the league. This suggests a slip in form on their part or improvement from the opposition. It could well be that Colchester and Chichester are showing their best form in a while and both sides have shaken off any relegation concerns but Bracknell certainly haven’t.

Promotion candidates.
The top 4 sides all picked up points although Westcombe Park’s home defeat to Guernsey meant that they only added 2 points to their tally – not a predicted 4 or 5, but with a possible 30 points still available it’s not over yet.

Win of the week
Guernsey’s win at promotion contenders Westcombe Park has already had a couple of mentions and now gets another for what was probably the most unexpected result but taking a promotion or relegation view of things Win of the Week this week goes to Chichester for a win at Bracknell that pretty much secures their survival at Level 5

Relegation worries.
Not one of the bottom 3 managed a single point in week 20 while Bracknell’s disappointing home defeat notched a losing bonus point if nothing else

Before week 20 either Gravesend or Westcliff needed 15 points from the remaining 7 games to overhaul their nearest rivals Bracknell, but that has now moved on to 16 points from 6 games assuming Bracknell get nothing from the remaining 6 which is stretching it a bit.

Westcliff still have home games against Bracknell and Eton Manor along with a trip to Gravesend so 15 points is not beyond the realms of possibility but Bracknell also have trips to Eton Manor and Gravesend from which they would hope to gather a few points.
The chance of a change in the bottom 3 is looking very remote indeed

Next week’s fixtures – week 21 out of 26
If Eton Manor are going to chalk up a win this season their best chance is in the next 2 weeks. Next week’s visitors Bracknell are not in great form and the following week they visit fellow strugglers Westcliff. After that their opposition all come from the top half of the league.

London Irish finally reach that very tricky run of fixtures that I have been writing about since before Christmas with a trip to East Grinstead. It’s crunch time!

Here we go with my predictions for week 21 in league fixture list order

Home win
Away win
Home win
Away win
Away win
Home win
Home win

Go BRFC