Bracknell travelled to ‘The Hayfields’ home of Cleve RFC, with both sides teetering above the relegation spots in SW Premier having only won two games each thus far this season. At this stage of the season it’s probably fair to say that neither side contemplated being in these league positions, given that both sides finished in fifth and sixth place last season on the same points, only the number of losses separating the two sides. But that is the competitive nature of SW Premier. So far this season the positions were just as tight, only points difference separating them in the league.

Bracknell were forced in to making changes from the starting side that defeated Camborne last Saturday; Callum Lee switching to second row from the back row, Giuseppe Salustri coming off the replacements bench to start.

Bracknell kicked off playing with the wind and started the livelier of the two teams, not looking like a team that has still to win away this season. Two Vic Hardwicke penalties gave Bracknell an early lead.

Their lead would not last for long as the increasing Cleve pressure was rewarded with a converted try from back rower Chris Macann.

With 20 minutes gone and with the wind and rain getting heavier Bracknell re-took the lead. From an attacking line out Giuseppe Salustri seized upon the ball to touchdown.

A penalty from fly half Lachalan Kirk closed Bracknell’s lead to one point. Just before half time with referee Ellis Davies playing a Cleve advantage a smart cross kick by Lachalan Kirk found winger Ubi Onyekwelu who dotted down to give Cleve the lead at half time.

Half time: Cleve 15 Bracknell 11

Five minutes into the second half as the two wingers chased a ball towards the Bracknell try line, the referee decided that Cam McDonald had illegally brought down his opposing winger and awarded a penalty try plus produced a yellow card.

Reduced in numbers Bracknell responded. A catch and drive from a line out saw Ken Dowling score. Conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good.

With Bracknell pressing the Cleve half, the numbers were equalled when Cleve number 8 Neil Evans was sent to the sin bin with only ten minutes of the half gone. Bracknell pressed furthur but could not break the Cleve defence.

With both teams back to full strength, Bracknell’s failure to capitalise on their pressure was exposed when replacement Harry Owens did break the Bracknell defence to score Cleve’s bonus point try out wide in the Bracknell corner.

Five minutes later, the Cleve strike runners again broke the Bracknell defensive line to seal Bracknell's fate. Winger Max Baker scoring in the same corner. Lachalan Kirk converting to give Cleve a fourteen point lead.

Bracknell did have the final score of the game, to give the travelling supporters something to cheer about. Chris Laidler coming off the bench to show his pace broke the Cleve line, a pass to Cam McDonald allowed him to score the final try of the day.

Full time: Cleve 32 Bracknell 23 (Points: Cleve 5 Bracknell 0)

Commenting after the game Director of Rugby Jamie Turner said “We played well in patches today but made far too many mistakes and errors that cost us; we need to learn quickly from this to cut these out."

The 1XV drop back into the relegation zone as a result of Weston’s win at Maidenhead. The positions in the relegation spots are still very tight with only five points separating ninth to twelfth place.

Well done to the 3XV who bounced back after last weeks defeat with a 20-14 win over Oxford Quins in BBO2.

Don’t forget that tickets for the Firework Evening on Sunday 4th November are available online from the on-line club shop or from the clubhouse bar. To get your tickets click on the following link https://www.bracknellrugbyclubshop.com/product-category/tickets/events/

Next week Bracknell play host to tenth placed Drybrook for what (we think) is the first league meeting between the two sides. (KO 2.15pm). Prior to KO there is a pre-match lunch. £10 per head gets you a 2 course lunch. For bookings please email: events@bracknellrugbyclub.com or you can buy a ticket at the on-line club shop.

Photos courtesy of Jayne Whitelegg

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke (c) 3. Ken Dowding 4. Leo Bailey 5. Callum Lee 6. Giuseppe Salustri 7. Ben Sanderson 8. Sam Gibbons 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Vic Hardwicke 11. Conor Segre 12. Peceli Nacamavutu 13. Ian Burch 14. Cam McDonald 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: 16. Nick Ovens 17. Ash Stevenson-Leigh 18. Chris Laidler

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