Bracknell welcomed the current league leaders Bournemouth to Lily Hill. Bournemouth had enjoyed a great start to their league campaign notching up 3 wins from 3 and amassing a maximum fifteen league points in the process.

Prior to kick off the supports and guests of Bracknell enjoyed a pre-match lunch raising funds for the BRFC Players Injury Trust fund.

Bracknell kicked off on a damp September afternoon. It would be Bracknell that would get the first points on the score board. Vic Hardwicke kicking a penalty after ten minutes to give Bracknell the lead.

Bracknell’s lead only lasted ten minutes as centre Grant Hancox and Bournemouth captain equalled the scores with a Bournemouth penalty.

Bournemouth now pressed the Bracknell try line in search of the game’s opening try. The brave Bracknell defence was finally broken by winger Alex-Everett-Bolter. Grant Hancox converting.

Half time: Bracknell 3 Bournemouth 10

With the steady rain turning to torrential rain neither side could put together any sustained pressure, the greasy ball being spilt on a number of occasions.

Twenty three minutes into the second half a break by the Bournemouth number eight number Hamish Renwick from the Bournemouth half was rewarded with a Grant Hancox penalty, to extend the Bournemouth lead.

Into the final quarter of the half, Bracknell pressed but could not cross the Bournemouth try line. On a couple of occasions, from penalties, Bracknell opted to kick for the corner rather than at goal sensing that a game changing try maybe on offer, but the Bournemouth defensive line held firm.

Full time: Bracknell 3 Bournemouth 13 (Points: Bracknell 0 Bournemouth 4).

The result sees Bracknell drop to tenth in the league, while Bournemouth remain top of the league on points difference over Ivybridge, both sides on nineteen points and both still unbeaten. Bracknell are now on their travels for the next two weekends as they navigate their way to Weston-super-Mare and Brixham respectively. Their next home game is on 20th October when they host Camborne (KO 3pm).

Commiserations to the Stags who lost away in a friendly at Tring 32-22, an interception try in the final play sealing their fate.

A massive thank you to all those that attended the pre-match lunch for the BRFC Players Injury Trust fund. The lunch was very successful in raising funds. The fund is always looking for additional donations, please contact any of the trustees should you wish to make a donation.

Bracknell: 1 Elliott Bellman 2 Michael Clarke (c) 3 Ken Dowding 4 Kim Plant 5 Ash Stevenson-Leigh 6 Rhys Vearley 7 Ben Saunderson 8 Giuseppe Salustri 9 Conor Segre 10 Vic Hardwicke 11 Gabe Hills 12 Peceli Nacamavutu 13 Cam McDonald 14 Ian Burch 15 Chris Laidler Replacements: George Cotterell Leo Bailey Lewis Franklin

Photos courtesy of Jayne Whitelegg