1XV winning run ended

Following a week off after their 23-19 win over Brixham the 1XV had a long trip 530 mile return trip to Cornwall to play Camborne. Unsurprising, given the long journey an away trip entails, previous meetings between the sides have gone with the home side, albeit a number of results between the sides only being separated by the odd point. Bracknell defeated Camborne 38-21 at Lily Hill earlier in the season. Despite only having only one more win than Bracknell, Camborne sat a healthy eight points above Bracknell in eighth place in the league, prior to kick off.

Bracknell kicked off playing towards the club house. From an early Bracknell attack debutant Lorenzo Palacio picked up a loose pass for Bracknell to cross the Camborne try line, only for the referee to deem the ball was held up. Off the resulting scrum a quick pass saw Gabe Hills dot down out wide. In the windy weather the conversion was missed but Bracknell were up 5 points up after 8 minutes.

Off a Camborne line out, the Camborne backs moved the ball swiftly across the field to Adam Long to score his first try of the season and level the scores. Conversion missed, 5-5 after 12 minutes.

Almost straight from the restart, Camborne won a line out on the half way line. An Alex Ducker blistering run across the pitch saw him touch down in the corner to give Camborne a 10-5 lead after 14 mins.

Connor Segre thought he had scored for Bracknell only to be brought back by the referee for a forward pass. From the next attack Bracknell were awarded a penalty for Camborne not rolling away. Vic Hardwicke calmly kicking the penalty.

From a swift Camborne attack and some fast hands Tarren Peacock scored under the Bracknell posts. Reece Brownfield adding the conversion. 17-8 to Camborne at half time.

Half time: Camborne 17 Bracknell 8

From the Camborne re-start a break by Ken Dowding saw Bracknell into Camborne territory. After a number of phases Gabe Hill found space for his second try of the game. Conversion was missed. 17-13, 5 minutes gone of the second half.

Off a scrum deep in Bracknell territory, Camborne struck back. A nibble pass off the scrum allowed Declan Mathews to cross the Bracknell try line. Reece Brownfield was successful with the conversion. Camborne leading 24-13 with 15 minutes gone in the half.

With Mikey MacDonald coming on for this first XV debut Bracknell were now fielding a brace of MacDonalds. (Wonder who was looking after the farm?) With 20 minutes remaining a further Camborne attack saw Alex Ducker score Camborne’s final try of the afternoon with neat Campese style hitch kick and run. Conversion was missed.

With about 5 minutes to go, Bracknell enjoyed sustained pressure through multiple phases finishing with a blind through the legs pass to Cam MacDonald to score. A successful conversion by Vic Hardwicke brought the score to 29-20.

In the final few minutes Bracknell were camped within 10 meters of Camborne line pressing for a final score, to no avail. The ball was eventually cleared into touch by Camborne for the referee to blow for full time.

Final score: Camborne 29 Bracknell 20 (Points: Camborne 5 Bracknell 0)

The result leaves Bracknell in eleventh place in the league, one league spot above the relegation zone. Their lead over the relegation spots has been cut to just one point as a result of Cleve (and next Saturdays visitors) picking up two losing bonus points against Bournemouth.

Don’t forget the Academy U18 Colts are in action this afternoon vs Maidenhead colts at Braywick Road in the third round of the National Colts Cup (KO 1pm). If you can please go over and support the lads

Next week the 1XV host twelveth placed Cleve (KO 2.15pm) in a game that is equally important for both sides. Prior to kick off there is VP pre match lunch available, £20 for three courses and wine. To book lunch or for more details please email: events@bracknellrugbyclub.com or to book on line click here.

Photo courtesy of Lis Casey.

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke (c) 3. Nick Ovens 4. Rhys Verley 5. George Cotterell 6. Sam Gibbons 7. Lorenzo Palacio 8. Giuseppe Salustri 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Victor Hardwicke 11. Connor Segre 12. Peceli Nacamavutu 13. Ian Burch 14. Cam MacDonald 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: 16. Ken Dowding 17. Jamie Johnson 18. Mikey MacDonald