On the road again Bracknell once more travelled down the M5 to Devon. This time for the first meeting between Bracknell and Exeter University, although the club does have a connection with the University via an ex-1XV player, alma mater of the University.

Bracknell were looking to build on their win over Drybrook a week before although matters were not helped by Bracknell’s shaky away record. Promoted last season and enjoying their first season in SW Premier, Exeter University has good home record which has seen them 7win all but one home game, that being a six point loss to second placed Ivybridge, a run that includes a win over third placed Barnstaple in their last home outing.

On a glorious sunny day Bracknell in their changed black kit received the kick off. If the game plan had been to keep it tight in the opening period of the game then an immediate reassessment was required as second row Edward Grinsted crashed over under the Bracknell posts with less than five minutes gone for a converted try.

The Exeter lead was extended with a penalty from fly half Harry Bazalgette leaving Bracknell ten points down and still yet to get out of their half.

The day would get worse for Bracknell as Exeter winger William Yarnell found space out wide to extend the Exeter lead to fifteen points. Ten minutes later the winger secured his second try with a fine run from deep to break the Bracknell defence to dot down. A conversion from Harry Bazalgette from out wide took the Exeter lead to twenty two points with twenty five minutes gone.

Fortunately for the travelling Bracknell supporters the campus did not have a bar for them to retreat too, otherwise they would have missed the tremendous Bracknell fight back. With thirty minutes on the clock a break by Cam McDonald found space, an offload to Chris Laidler allowed him to show the pace he has become famous for, to open Bracknell’s scoring. Conversion from Vic Hardwick was good.

Only moments later some nimble hands found Gabe Hills out wide for him to finish well for Bracknell’s second try. Vic Hardwick converted. 22-14.

Gaining in confidence Bracknell attacked again, and they were rewarded when Cam McDonald again broke the defence to score under the posts. Vic Hardwicke converted to cut the Exeter’s lead just one point , something that seemed unlikely only ten minutes earlier.

Half time: Exeter University 22 Bracknell 21

Exeter opened the second half scoring, a Harry Bazalgette penalty extending the Exeter lead before centre Thomas Foot scored the bonus point try for Exeter.

Bracknell responded. From an attacking line out a catch and drive saw the Bracknell captain Michael Clarke cross the white wash for Bracknells bonus point try.

Bracknell took the lead for the first time in this topsey turvey game, Jason Henry seizing on a loose pass to run the length of the pitch. Conversion from Vic Hardhardwicke was good giving Bracknell a three point lead, 32-35.

Exeter struck back, a strong run from winger William Yarnell saw him score his hat trick try and give Exeter the lead back. A well struck conversion from Harry Bazalgette took the Exeter lead to four points with only minutes left in the game.

Again Bracknell attacked, Giuseppe Salustri breaking the Exeter defence, Cam MacDonald weaving his way through the Exeter defence for his second try of the day and seeming earn Bracknell the win. The conversion from Vic Hardwicke just falling short.

From the restart the ball was knocked on and gathered by a Bracknell player from an offside position. The referee awarded a penalty to Exeter in front of the Bracknell posts. Harry Bazalgette's final kick, kicking the penalty for an Exeter victory - there not being enough time for the game to be restarted.

Full time: Exeter University 42 Bracknell 40 (Points: Exeter University 5 Bracknell 2)

Head of Rugby Daniel ap Dafydd commenting after the match “We can’t give that many points away and expect to win games. Too many errors cost us”.

The result means Bracknell stay out of the relegation zone in eveleth place and opens up a five point lead over twelfth place Drybrook.

Congrats to the Stags who enjoyed a win at home over Newbury, a result that sees them climb to second place in the BBO1 table.

Next Saturday the 1XV face Devon opposition again with Exmouth visiting Lily Hill Park. KO is 2.15pm so please come down to cheer the team on.

#GoBRFC

Man of the match: Cam McDonald

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke (c) 3. Ken Dowding 4. Leo Bailey 5. Ash Stevenson-Leigh 6. Tom Scott 7. Thomas Spencer-Jones 8. Giuseppe Salustri 9. Conor Segre 10. Vic Hardwicke 11. Cam McDonald 12. Peceli Nacamavutu 13. Jason Henry 14. Gabe Hills 15. Chris Lailder Replacements: 16. George Coterell 17. Kim Plant 18. Jake Findley