Honours even in final 1XV game of year

Head of Rugby, Daniel ap Dafydd acknowledged in his match day programme notes that the team had been in a difficult patch. With third place Bournemouth visiting Lily Hill for the final game of 2017 they knew they had to work hard to get anything from the day - earlier in the season Bournemouth took the win by three points, only a late missed penalty arrempt separating the sides.

Ben Saunderson continued in the back row while captain James Ingle returned to the starting line up. Chris Laidler continued at fly half while Ally Walton came in at scrum half.

Bracknell kicked off attacking towards the clubhouse. Bracknell would open the scoring on the ten minute mark; coming from a good take in the line out by James Ingle, Juite Tupua was able to break the Bournemouth defensive lline for a long pass to find Simon Bayliss to score. Conversion was missed.

Bournemouth responded immediately with a try of their own from a driving maul. The conversion from Grant Hancox was good giving Bournemouth the lead.

A Grant Hancox penalty extended the Bournemouth lead before, on the half an hour mark, off a move from a scrum winger Harry Davis was able to find space out wide to dot down. Conversion from Garnt Hancox was good.

Half time: Bracknell 5 Bournemouth 17.

It would take fifteen minutes into the second half before Bracknell would open the scoring. It was Simon Bayliss' turn to find space out wide to score his second try of the day. Conversion was wide.

Any potential Bracknell comeback was hindered by two successive yellow cards for Chris Hala’ufia and Ally Walton. Despite being reduced in numbers the Bracknell defensive line held and importantly the Bournemouth lead was maintained at a converted try only.

With only moments left on the clock, from a line out in the Bournemouth 22, a catch and drive saw Bracknell cross the Bournemouth white wash. Ben Saunderson with the vital touch down. Chris Laidler’s conversion from out wide was good to record the 1XV second draw of the season.

Full time: Bracknell 17 Bournemouth 17. (Points: Bracknell 2 Bournemouth 2)

The result still leaves Bracknell third from bottom in the league. Newbury’ s 21 – 23 win at Lydney means the gap between eleventh placed Newbury and Bracknell is extended to three points. Bracknell’s next game is in the New Year when they visit Newbury on 6th January before travelling to Weston-super-Mare a week later. Bracknell’s next home game is 20th January when they host Camborne.

Next Saturday sees the annual Current Academy vs Old Boys game (KO 2pm) so please pop down and support the boys.

Finally well done to the Stags and 3XV whose wins yesterday saw them finish top of their leagues at the end of the year.

Happy Christmas to you all!!!

Bracknell: 1 Harry Challenor 2 Michael Clarke 3 Nick Ovens 4 Leo Bailey 5 Liam Goodison 6 James Ingle (C) 7 Ben Sanderson 8 Chris Hala'ufia 9 Ally Walton 10 Chris Laidler 11 Simon Bayliss 12 Peceli Nacamavuto 13 Max Edwards 14 Ian Burch 15 Gabe Hills Replacements: 16 George Cotterell 17 Cameron McDonald 18 Jiute Tupua