1XV defeat leaves lessons to learn.

Last season the University maintained an excellent home record, a record which saw them only defeated twice at home, this included a 42-40 defeat of Bracknell, albeit with the last kick of a thrilling game. This home form saw them finish in fourth spot in SW Premier, in what was their first venture into rugby at this level. This season their home form has been just as impressive, three home wins from their three home games sees the University in fifth place in the league, so Bracknell knew if they were going to come away with a win they would need to perform well.

Most English rugby fans would have been up early Saturday morning to watch the England vs Australia Rugby World Cup Quarter Final, so both sides may have had the feeling of bridesmaids rather than the bride as they took to the rubber crump pitch at the University’s Sports Ground.

Bracknell welcomed back Sam Gibbons into the forward pack. Behind the pack Chris Laidler came in at fly half while Daniel Mays started at centre replacing Andy Slade.

A change in venue due to the University’s grass pitch being unplayable meant the game would played on an artificial surface, not a surface that Bracknell has a great record on. This appeared to be the case as the University raced to 14 point lead after 18 minutes, with two converted try’s.

Bracknell responded with a Michael Clarke try after 24 minutes. The conversion was missed. 10 minutes later Bracknell got back into the game with another Michael Clarke try. Again the conversion was missed but the University only had a slender 4 point lead at the half time break.

Half time: Exeter University 14 Bracknell 10

The hopes of a Bracknell victory were dented when the University scored their third converted try of the day in the early exchanges of the second half.

Michael Clark’s super human efforts continued as on the hour mark as he crossed the University’s try line for his hat-trick try. This time the conversion was good.

Into the final quarter of an hour and the University pressure told as they scored their fourth converted try of the day and secured their bonus point. Even the try scoring efforts of “Super Clarke” could not prevent the University extending their lead as they scored two further converted try's to ease to victory.

Full time: Exeter University 42 Bracknell 17 (Points: Exeter University 5 Bracknell 0)

Reflecting on the outcome Chair of Rugby Martin Radford commented “The team that commanded the basics won the game today. We need to learn to improve our game awareness and management, as it’s that, that is costing us at the moment.”

The result sees Bracknell drop into the relegation spots, two points above Brixham in bottom spot (the only side Bracknell have beaten this season). A three point gap has opened between an improving Launceston side in 10th spot and Bracknell in 12th.

The teams playing at home fared better than 1XV as the 3XV won 77-0 over Reading Abbey II while trys from Matt Randall, Dougie Harrison, Michael Jones and Dave Rosi sealed a 22-10 win over Hungerford for the 4XV. Well played both teams.

Next Saturday the 1XV are back at Lily Hill as they host Exmouth (KO 3pm). The day starts early as the clubhouse will be open for the RWC semi-final game England vs New Zealand (KO 9am), so come down and join us for breakfast and the game on the big clubhouse screens - keep an eye on this website for full details.

Bracknell: 1 Elliott Bellman 2 Michael Clarke (C) 3 Nick Ovens 4 Alex Stanley 5 Tom Scott 6 Sam Gibbons 7 Tom Mew 8 Kieran Forbes 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Chris Laidler 11 Ben Yates 12 Daniel Mays 13 Ian Burch 14 Simon Bayliss 15 George Owen Replacements: 16 Harry Challenor 17 Jamie Johnson 18 Andy Slade