Bracknell were back on the road again, as they travelled to Weston super Mare, looking to get back to winning ways having lost the last two league games. Weston have had a tough start to the season losing their opening four games, although they have amassed two losing bonus points and a four try bonus point. Last season the games between the two sides were close affairs, the sides drew 23 all at Lily Hill (Bracknell having to come back from a 0-13 half time deficit) while Bracknell won 27-38 away at Weston in an entertaining open game that could have gone either way. This time would be no different.

Saturday morning Bracknell were forced into making a last minute change to the team, on the eve of his twenty first birthday Jake Finney coming into the squad at late notice replacing Peceli Nacamavutu.

Bracknell kicked the game off in the autumn sun shine and would put the Weston try line under immediate pressure. Following a warning to Weston for conceding a number of penalties in their own 22, the next Weston penalty saw Weston’s back rower Sam Fisher was sent to the sin bin.

Bracknell took advantage of the superior numbers Giuseppe Salustri broke of the base of a scrum to pop the ball to Rhys Verly to score. Conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good.

Weston, now back to full strength, responded immediately with a try of their own. Number 8, Brad Talbot doting down with Weston’s first venture into Bracknell territory.

With ten minutes of the half to go, an attacking Bracknell line out allowed Ken Dowling to bundle his way over the Weston try line.

Bracknell attacked again. Quick ball from a break by Jason Henry allowed Vic Hardwicke to cross kick the ball for Conor Serge to gather to score. The conversion from Vic Hardwicke extended Bracknell’s lead to fourteen points.

Into the final minutes of the half Jason Henry was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. It was now Weston’s turn to take advantage of their superior numbers, centre Cameron Maslen scoring under the Bracknell posts, to reduce Bracknell’s lead to seven points at half time.

Half time: Weston-super Mare 12 Bracknell 19

If Bracknell enjoyed the better start in the first half then it was Weston that started better in the second. Still reduced in number ,Bracknell conceded an early try in the second half, winger Matt Watkins reducing the Bracknell lead to just two points.

With a quarter of an hour gone in the second half Weston took the lead for the first time. From a five meter attacking scrum Number 8 Brad Talbot drove over the Bracknell whitewash for his second try of the day.

Bracknell pressured but could not hold the ball for a sustained period.

Into the final ten minutes of the game with Weston’s scrum half Kadin Brooks in the sin bin for a late tackle, Bracknell looked to have secured the win as Conor Serge crossed the Weston try line only for the try to be ruled out by referee Kevin Williams who had spotted a forward pass.

From the resultant scrum the ball was kicked dead and the game was brought to an end for Weston’s first win of the season and their first win over Bracknell since the 2014/15 season.

Full time: Weston-super Mare 24 Bracknell 19 (Points Weston-super Mare 5 Bracknell 1).

The result sees Bracknell drop into the relegation zone as they sink to twelfth in the league with just one win over basement side Old Pats so far this season. Bracknell can take some heart in that in two of their defeats they were leading at half time.

Next week Bracknell are back down the M5 as they travel to South Devon to face Brixham, before their next home game against Camborne on 20th October.

The news was better for the Stags, 3XV’s and 4XV’s as all recorded league wins, Sam Holt scoring for the 4XV in their 53-15 win over Phoenix.

A reminder to all that next Friday (5th October) is the Mini’s and Juniors Race Night. Tickets are £5 per person and include light snacks and betting slips. For tickets please contact Becky Tipper

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke (c) 3. Ken Dowding 4. Leo Bailey 5. Ash Stevenson Leigh 6. Rhys Vearley 7. Ben Sanderson 8. Giuseppe Salustri 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Vic Hardwicke 11. Ian Burch 12. Jason Henry 13. Cam McDonald 14. Conor Segre 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: 16. George Cotterell 17. Callum Lee 21. Jake Findley