Having recovered from the disappointment of a late loss in Cornwall last week, Bracknell returned to Lily Hill to face Drybrook, from the Forest of Dean. The two sides only met for the first time last season, Bracknell finished the winner on both occasions which included a narrow win by two points in the away fixture. Prior to kick off Drybrook sat in ninth place in the league with eleven points from two wins, which included a win over Newbury Blues on the opening day, so they were used to winning in Berkshire.

Bracknell were forced into making changes to the team that featured last Saturday, Ian Burch and Andy Slade coming in to fill the centre spots.

Drybrook kicked the game off playing towards the clubhouse on a wet and windy afternoon. It would be Drybrook that would open the scoring. Off a scrum, centre and captain Ben Large found space to cut through the Bracknell defensive line. Fly half Tim Stevenson converted.

Bracknell responded was almost immediate. A period of sustained pressure in the Drybrook 22 led to a penalty which was kicked to the corner. From the line out the Bracknell maul was driven over the Drybrook try line, Tom Mew grounding the ball under the Bracknell pack. Vic Hardwicke added the extras. 5-7 with ten minutes gone.

A Tim Stevenson penalty extended the Drybrook lead on the twenty four minute mark.

With the rain getting heavier, it was now Drybrook’s turn to enjoy some possession in Bracknell territory. A cross kick from Tim Stevenson seemed to be covered by the Bracknell defence before it took a bobble into the path of full back Ollie Moore for him to dot down over the Bracknell try line. This time the conversion was missed.

Half time: Bracknell 7 Drybrook 15

Bracknell opened the second camped in the Drybrook half but were unable to convert this pressure into scoreboard points. With just under ten minutes gone prop Harry Daynes was sin binned as the Drybrook penalty count grew with. Drybrook were further reduced when winger Luke Roberts joined his team mate in the sin bin five minutes later.

Bracknell were now camped on the Drybrook line and after being ‘held up’ in the Drybrook try area, Kieran Forbes finally grounded the ball for a Bracknell try. Vic Hardwicke converted and Bracknell were just one point behind with eighteen minutes gone.

Bracknell pressed and were awarded a penalty when Drybrook were caught off side. Vic Hardwicke kicking the penalty to give Bracknell the lead, with just over 10 minutes to go.

With one of their rare second half ventures into Bracknell territory, a high tackle saw Michael Clarke sin binned with only two minutes left of the game. From the penalty Drybrook attacked and were awarded a kickable penalty as Bracknell got caught off side. Tim Stevenson kicked the penalty to give Drybrook the lead. There was still time for Bracknell to mount an attack but a crooked throw to a line out deep in the Drybrook 22 brought the game to an end.

Full time: Bracknell 17 Drybrook 18 (Points: Bracknell 1 Drybrook 4)

Chair of Rugby, Martin Radford commented after the game, “Can’t fault the work rate and commitment of the lads today but we just did not take our opportunities when we got into the red zone and it was this together with poor discipline that ultimately cost us today.”

The result means Bracknell jump to tenth spot in the league on eight points, however Drybrook in ninth spot have opened a seven point gap over Bracknell plus now have two wins in Berkshire this season!!! Commiserations to the Stags who lost their unbeaten record with their defeat at Bury St Edmunds.

Next Saturday the 1XV travel to Exeter to face Exeter University (KO 2pm). Prior to that the RWC Quarter Final England vs Australia will be shown on the clubhouse screens, come and join us as the RWC hits the knock out stages.

Photos courtesy Jayne Whitelegg

Bracknell: 1 Elliott Bellman 2 Michael Clarke (c) 3 Nick Ovens 4 Tom Scott 5 Alex Stanley 6 Tom Field 7 Tom Mew 8 Kieran Forbes 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Vic Hardwicke 11 Ben Yates 12 Andy Slade 13 Ian Burch 14 Simon Bayliss 15 George Owen Replacements: Jake Hodge, Aaran Matthews, Chris Laidler