Launceston made the 210 mile trip to face Bracknell for the first meeting at Lily Hill since the 2016/17 season, in the then named National League 3 SW. On that occasion in a close game Bracknell, eventually ran out 20-15 winners. Unfortunately for Launceston, at the end of that season Launceston were relegated. They were restored to level 5 rugby at the end of last season, via the play off’s with a 33 - 22 win over Old Cents.

Both sides were looking get back to winning ways, both having suffered defeats last Saturday, Bracknell away to Ivybridge and Launceston at home to league leaders Barnstaple. In the league Bracknell sat one place above eleventh placed Launceston, who this season had eleven points from two wins, including an away win in Berkshire at Newbury Blues. Both sides knew a win was vital in getting their season back on track.

As well as a shuffle in the back line, Bracknell welcomed ex-academy & Berkshire U21 second row Sam Dunks into the starting line-up for his 1XV debut.

Bracknell kicked off attacking towards the clubhouse and would open the scoring with a Chris Laidler penalty after a quarter of an hour gone. Bracknell’s lead only lasted three minutes as Dan Pearce equalled the score.

With Bracknell pressing the Launceston line they were awarded a penalty. Electing to kick for the line-out rather than posts, a missed line out throw allowed Launceston to collect the ball in their own 22 work the ball quickly to winger Dan Pearce who was able to run the length of the pitch to score under the Bracknell posts.

With less than ten minutes remaining of the half Bracknell pressed. After a number of attacks were thwarted illegally by the Launceston defence prop Greg Thomas was sent to the sin bin. Bracknell again opted for the kick to the corner. From the line out the Launceston defence held out for five phases before Sam Dunks crashed over the try line to score. Chris Laidler was successful with the conversion.

Half time: Bracknell 10 Launceston 10

The second half began as a scrappy affair neither side could find a foothold to take the lead.

On the thirty minute mark, a Launceston attack saw Sam Dunks sent to the sin bin. From the penalty Dan Pearce gave Launceston back the lead.

As the game entered the final phases Bracknell were pinned back in their own half. Linking up between forwards and backs they managed to get in to the Launceston half before they were awarded a penalty. Having kicked for the corner, Bracknell were awarded another penalty from the line out - resulting in a Launceston player being sent to the sin bin. Having kicked for the corner again, Sam Dunks took a fine line out catch and before the Launceston defence could lay a hand on him had crossed the white wash for his second try of the game and Bracknell’s winning score. In the gloom the conversion was missed.

Full time: Bracknell 15 Launceston 13 (Points: Bracknell 4 Launceston 1)

The result sees Bracknell stay in tenth spot but are now four points ahead of the relegation spots.

A cheerful Martin Radford, Chairman of Rugby said of the game “Having a strong heart and set of lungs that can give you that little bit extra is impossible to coach, Bracknell had that in spades today in a game that was never going to be classic. When the pressure was on at the death, the boys delivered. This is a work in progress and everyone is fully engaged, Bracknell RFC is rocking tonight”

Commiserations to both the Stags and 3XV who both lost yesterday to good Taunton and Witney sides.

Next Saturday the 1XV travel to Maidenhead for the first Berkshire derby of the season (KO 3pm) Please come over to Braywick Road and lend your support to the team. The Stags are also playing at Maidenhead so promises to be a great day of rugby.

Photos courtesy Jayne Whitelegg

Bracknell: 1 Elliott Bellman 2 Michael Clarke (C) 3 Harry Challenor 4 Sam Dunks 5 Jamie Johnson 6 Sam Gibbons 7 Tom Mew 8 Kieran Forbes 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Chris Laidler 11 George Owen 12 Daniel Mays 13 Stuart Mackay 14 Ian Burch 15 Vic Hardwicke Replacements: Dan Gyles, Aaran Matthews, Ben Yates