Bracknell played host to tenth placed Drybrook for what was the first league meeting between the two sides. Both sides were looking to return to winning ways following defeat the week before, Drybrook at home to league leaders Bournemouth and Bracknell away at Cleve, a result that had seen Bracknell drop back into the relegation zones. Therefore a win was vital to both sides.

Bracknell welcomed back Jason Henry into the starting line up together with Thomas Spencer-Jones making a debut start at openside wing forward.

Drybrook kicked the game off, attacking towards the clubhouse in the first half.

The initial Bracknell pressure was rewarded as they struck early, Conor Segre on the end of a pass from Sam Gibbons out wide to open the scoring after 5 minutes.

Drybrook got points onto the score board with a penalty from scrum half James Clancy. They took the lead after 13 minutes with a try from wing forward Kyle Frowen, breaking through a number of tackles.

With Bracknell exerting pressure a drive was held up in the Drybrook try area. From the resultant scrum Gabe Hills cut a fine line through the Drybrook defence to score under the Drybrook posts. Conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good for Bracknell to re-take the lead on the 20 minutes mark.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining a break by Cam McDonald from within the Bracknell half, some quick recycling of the ball allowed Conor Segre to score his second try of the game and give Bracknell an 11 point lead at the break.

In the move that lead to the Bracknell score Nick Ovens (and former Drybrook player) sustained an elbow injury which meant he had to leave the field with his arm in a sling, to be replaced by Ken Dowling.

Half time: Bracknell 19 Drybrook 8

In the early moments of the second half Bracknell’s secured their bonus point. A driving maul off an attacking line out saw Elliott Bellman dot down under a pile of Bracknell forwards.

If Bracknell thought it was ‘game over’ then they would need to think again. A try from winger Mitch Baldwin cut Bracknell’s lead.

Drybrook got back to within 4 points after some sustained pressure. With a number of players down for both teams, the Drybrook pack drove over the Bracknell try line to score.

The game was held up for 10 minutes while Drybrook replacement, Dec Fissendon received treatment before having to leave the field for a suspected broken ankle. All at BRFC wish him a speedily recovery.

Following the re-start a Vic Hardwickle penalty extended the Bracknell lead. In the final moments a further Vic Hardwickle penalty secured the Bracknell win and rather harshly denied Drybrook a losing bonus point.

Full time: Bracknell 30 Drybrook 20 (Points: Bracknell 5 Drybrook 0)

The result means Bracknell leapfrog Drybrook in the league table and jump out of the relegation spots to 11th place.

Well done to the 3XV and 4XV who both recorded wins in their Wadworth BBO league fixtures. A belated well done to both the Ladies & Academy Colts who progressed to the next round of their respective cup competitions with good wins.

The 1XV have a week off for the Autumn International England vs NZ before their next game at University of Exeter on 17th November. The England vs NZ will be shown LIVE on the clubhouse screen, so please come down and join us. Bracknell’s next home game is to Exmouth on 25th November (KO 2.15pm).

Photos courtesy of Jayne Middleton.

#GoBRFC

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke 3. Nick Ovens 4. Leo Bailey 5. Ash Stevenson-Leigh 6. Giuseppe Salustri 7. Thomas Spencer-Jones 8. Sam Gibbons 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Vic Hardwicke 11. Cam McDonald 12. Peceli Nacamavutu 13. Jason Henry 14. Conor Segre 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: 16. Ken Dowding 17. Tom Scott 18. Simon Bayliss