Bracknell hosted Old Patesians at Lily Hill Park for the first 1XV home game of the season, both sides looking to record their first win of the season. Bracknell welcomed Sam Gibbons into the team for his 1XV debt, otherwise the team remained unchanged from the team that faced Newton Abbot last Saturday.

Prior to kick off, the good crowd joined in a round of applause for Richard Brember, ex 1XV and 2XV captain, who sadly passed away in the off season.

It did not take long for Bracknell to open the scoring. Within 2 minutes Cam McDonald had crossed the Old Pats whitewash. Ten minutes later he had extended Bracknell’s lead to twelve points with an interception try.

Some skillful hands in the Bracknell backs allowed Cam McDonald to score his hat trick try with half an hour gone of the game. The conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good.

Just before the halftime break an intercept try from Old Pats full back Lee Hathaway, gave Bracknell something to think about as they went in for half time break.

Half time: Bracknell 19 Old Patesians 5

The half time discussions worked; as Bracknell’s lively start to the second half was rewarded by a Michael Clarke try, bursting the Old Pats defensive line to score Bracknell’s bonus point try in front of the delighted clubhouse.

With Bracknell enjoying the better of the possession, Vic Hardwicke was able to break and off load the ball to Cam McDonald to score. Conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good. 31-5.

With ten minutes remaining of the game, a deft chip by Vic Hardwicke was gathered by Connor Segre, who popped a pass to Cam McDonald allowing him score his fifth try of the afternoon under the Old Pats posts. Conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good.

Bracknell did not ease up on the scoring, encamped on the Old Pats line Kim Plant found space to score from close quarters (pictured above).

Bracknell’s final try of the afternoon came from Cam McDonald (who else?), gathering his own chip kick for his sixth try of the afternoon.

There was still enough time in the game for Old Pats scrum half Tom Knight to score a late converted consolation try, before referee Neil Sweeney brought the game to an end.

Full time: Bracknell 52 Old Patesians 12 (Points: Bracknell 5 Old Patesians 0)

A nearly smiling Director of Rugby Jamie Turner said afterwards of the game “Our set piece worked well today and we displayed good hands at certain times but we are still a work in progress.”

Bracknell face a tough game next Saturday away at Barnstaple before they return to Lily Hill on 22nd September to host current league leaders Bournemouth. That day there is a pre-match lunch in aid of the Bracknell Injured Players Trust. Tickets are £20 per head so do please come along and support the Trust. For bookings please email: events@bracknellrugbyclub.com
or contact one of the trustees.

Congrats to both the Stags and 3XV who both recorded wins yesterday.

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke (c) 3. Ken Dowding 4. Rhys Vearley 5. Ash Stevenson Leigh 6. Leo Bailey 7. Giuseppe Salustri 8. Sam Gibbons 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Vic Hardwicke 11. Jacob Elliott 12. Jason Henry 13. Ian Burch 14. Cam McDonald 15. Connor Segre Replacements: 16. Nick Ovens 17. Kim Plant 18. Chris Laidler

#GoBRFC