1XV away woes continue

Bracknell travelled to Cheltenham to face Old Patesians for the final game of 2018. The sides last met at Everest Road back on 20th December 2014, when Old Pats won a close contest 27-24. This time Bracknell did not have the famous Everest Road slope to contest with (as the game had been moved to the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham) but did have to content with an Old Pars revival to their form, if their last 2 results were to be believed. Bracknell, on the other hand, where still looking to record a first away league win since the final day of last season.

Old Pats kicked off the game to Bracknell, playing with the swirling wind. Old Pats got the first score of the day with their first venture into Bracknell territory. loose head prop Teddy Saunders scoring from close quarters. Fly half Marcus Raymond converting.

Cheltenham Spa a town famous for its waters certainly provided a lot of water courtesy of Storm Deirdre, making conditions difficult for both sides.

With quarter of an hour gone Old Pats winger Duncan Spurroer broke through the middle of a ruck to scamper under the Bracknell posts. Fly half Marcus Raymond converted to extend the Old pats led.

With the rain now sheeting in across the Prince of Wales Stadium, neither side could maintain possession of the ball long enough to build up any momentum.

Half time: Old Patesians 14 Bracknell 0

The early exchanges of the second half saw a yellow card for Old Pats loose head Teddy Saunders. With Old Pats reduced in numbers Bracknell were encamped on the Old Pats try line. With the ball held up over the line twice, the Bracknell pressure eventally told. After a number of forwards drives, the ball found its way to Connor Serge to score out wide and get Bracknell onto the scoreboard with just under twenty minutes of the second half gone. A difficult conversion for Vic Hardwicke was blown wayward in the heavy wind.

Bracknell now enjoyed their best period of the game however the wet conditions and determined Old Pats defence meant that they could not make in-roads into the Old Pats lead.

With under quarter of an hour remaining ex-Bracknell academy player Jamie Johnson came off the replacements bench to make his first team debut. It is always nice to see a young player 'come through the ranks'.

Old Pats having weathered the Bracknell storm enjoyed some possession of their own and spent the reminder of the half in Bracknell terriority but were unable to find an additional score.

Full time: Old Patesians 14 Bracknell 5 (Points: Old Patesians 4 Bracknell 0)

The result means Bracknell remain the tenth spot in the league, but this season are still yet to win a game away from Lily Hill. The task does not get any easier as their first away game of 2019 sees them travel to league leaders Bournemouth.

Well done to the Stags who beat Rams 14-5 in their BBO1 fixture. Special mention to 4XV player Andrew Oliver who broke his leg vs Hungerford, resulting in the game being abandon. All at BRFC wish Andrew a speedy recovery.

Some of you may or may not know that this weekend is the ‘Docs’ last game at BRFC. Dr John Thing has volunteered his time at the club for over 25years. A massive thank you to the Doc, for all his contributions and commitment to the club over the years.

The 1XV are back in action in the New Year when they host Barnstaple on Saturday 5th January (KO 2.15pm), why not come down and blow those Christmas blues away by cheering on the team? May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Bracknell: 1 Elliott Bellman 2 Michael Clarke (c) 3 George Cotterell 4 Leo Bailey 5 Ash Stevenson-Leigh 6 Rhys Verley 7 Thomas Spencer-Jones 8 Sam Gibbons 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Vic Hardwicke 11 Simon Bayliss 12 Cam McDonald 13 Jason Henry 14 Conor Segre 15 Gabe Hills Replacements: Ken Dowding, Ian Burch, Jamie Johnson