Bracknell welcomed Ivybridge to Lily Hill for the penultimate 1XV home game of the season. Bracknell looking to extend their unbeaten record in the league to four games whereas fourth placed Ivybridge looking to get back to winning ways having experienced defeat in their two last games, all be it against league leaders Bournemouth by just three points and play-off hopefuls Barnstaple. Bracknell knew a win for them would go a long way to securing South Premier rugby for next season, but Bracknell have a poor record against Ivybridge, recording only one win in recent times, a run of form which includes a fourteen point defeat earlier in the season. A win for Ivybridge would keep their play-off aspirations alive.

Head of Rugby Daniel ap Dafydd was able to name an unchanged starting line-up, Tom Mew the only change on the bench.

Ivybridge kicked off the game playing towards the clubhouse in their changed white shirts. It would be Ivybridge that would open the scoring with a penalty from full back Charlie Braint after ten minutes.

Ivybridge had Bracknell pinned in their own half and their pressure was rewarded with two further penalties from the boot of Charlie Braint to give them a nine point lead at the break.

Half time: Bracknell 0 Ivybridge 9

Bracknell finally got some points onto the score board. A catch and drive off a line-out saw Bradley Walters come up with the touchdown. Vic Hardwicke added the extras from out wide.

Bracknell now had the tails up and off another attacking line-out, a catch and drive saw Lorenzo Palacio score Bracknell’s second try of the afternoon. Again Vic Hardwicke converted, to give Bracknell the lead with twenty minutes of the half gone.

Bracknell maintained their momentum and with five minutes to go scored their third try of the afternoon. Lewis Franklin finding space with a smart show and go, off the base of a maul, sprinted under the Ivybridge posts. Conversion from Vic Hardwicke was good.

With the final play of the game Bracknell scored their fourth and bonus point try. Gabe Hills, on the end of some smart hands to crash over the Ivybridge try line. This time Vic Hardwicke’s conversion missed after striking the post before the whistle of referee Neil Sweeny brought the game to an end and seal Bracknell's firsr ever win over Ivybrdge at Lily Hill.

Full time: Bracknell 26 Ivybridge 9 (Points: Bracknell 5 Ivybridge 0)

Man of the match: Rhys Verley

The win sees Bracknell remain in eleventh place in the league but it does mean that Bracknell have secured South West Premier status for next season as with two games remaining and only a possible ten points available Bracknell have a fourteen point lead over twelfth placed Cleve, and as a result Cleve are relegated.

Head of Rugby Daniel ap Dafydd, “Not happy with our first half performance. We knew at half time we could do better and we showed that in the second half.”

There are now just two games remaining of the season for the 1XV. Next Saturday (6th April) the 1XV visit Braywick Road for the Berkshire Derby vs Maidenhead. KO is 3pm so please make the short trip and cheer the lads on. The 1XV finish the season a week later (13th April) with a home game vs Newton Abbot (KO 3pm). Prior to kick off there is a pre-match lunch, to book lunch or for more details please email: events@bracknellrugbyclub.com or book on line at: https://www.bracknellrugbyclubshop.com/shop/tickets/pre-match-lunches/pre-match-lunch-vs-newton-abbot/

A reminder: the Bracknell Beer & Cider Festive tickets are NOW on sale. To get your tickets click here

Photos courtesy of Jayne Whitelegg.

#GoBRFC

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Bradley Walters 3. Ken Dowding 4. Leo Bailey 5. Rhys Verley 6. Sam Gibbons 7. Lorenzo Palacio 8. Michael Clarke (c) 9. Mikey MacDonald 10. Victor Hardwicke 11. Ian Burch 12. Chris Laidlaw 13. Cam MacDonald 14. Simon Bayliss 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: Tom Mew, Nick Ovens, Lewis Franklin