A short 9 mile trip to Maidenhead’s Braywick Road ground meant that the East Berkshire bragging rights were up for grabs for the first time this season. Bracknell had not been beaten at Braywick Road for over ten years this included two recent wins over Maidenhead since their return to SW Premier. A record that each side would be keen to continue or ‘put right’ depending on your viewpoint. If Bracknell were to continue this record they would need to defeat a Maidenhead side that has only lost one game at home this season, Ivybridge (the only other side with an artificial pitch in the league) defeating them 33-36. In their last game on the road, Maidenhead only lost by seven points to league leaders Barnstaple. Last time out at home they beat second place WSM in a convincing 22-0 win.

Bracknell having recorded a win at home last weekend did ‘change a winning team’. Rhys Verley returned to the second row for only his second outing of the season. Elsewhere Ben Yates and Nick Ovens also returned to the starting line.

Maidenhead’s positive start was rewarded with the opening score with seven minutes gone. Capitalising on an penalty advantage, fly half Will Runciman’s cross kick found winger Scott Prince to dot down. The conversion was missed.

Having weathered the Maidenhead storm Bracknell got a foothold in Maidenhead territory from which to attack. From a line out, a driving maul saw Kieran Forbes score. Vic Hardwicke’s conversion from out wide was good and Bracknell had the lead.

Bracknell’s lead did last long as from the next Maidenhead attack a series of phases eventually saw number 8 David Cole burst his way through the Bracknell defensive line to give Maidenhead back the lead. This time Will Runciman’s conversion was good.

With ten minutes remaining of the half Maidenhead scored their third try of the afternoon. With the ball going through Maidenhead backs line, Scott Prince was able to avoid going into touch to score his second try of the game.

There was still time in the half for one more score. As the rain started to fall Bracknell’s driving maul got going again to drive over the Maidenhead try line. This time Elliott Bellman coming up with the score. Again Vic Hardwicke’s conversion was good.

Half time: Maidenhead 17 Bracknell 14

With the raining getting heavier and having found referee Lloyd Davies the second half got underway.

Like two sumo wrestlers the sides battled but neither side could find a decisive score that would win the game. With less than ten minutes remaining this would change. Maidenhead’s pressure on Bracknell’s line finally told as Maidenhead's forwards drove over. Through the gloom of the floodlights the bonus point try was awarded. Conversion from out wide was missed.

A late flourish from Bracknell and a bit of Maidenhead indiscipline at the breakdown meant Bracknell had one final penalty opportunity to grab a losing bonus point but from the line out the driving maul was held up and the game was brought to an end.

Full time: Maidenhead 24 Bracknell 14 (Points: Maidenhead 5 Bracknell 0)

A series of draws in SW Premier meant that Bracknell drop from tenth to eleventh in the league. On the assumption that only two are relegated this season then they remain outside the relegation spots by one place. Only four points separate the bottom four teams. With Barnstaple’s and WSM’s defeat, Maidenhead closed the gap on top spot to four points.

Chairman of Rugby Martin Radford, “What a game between two very good sides, one riding the wave of success, the other working hard to join them at the crest. At times, we played with the freedom, pace, power and some precision that matched Maidenhead. This encounter could have gone either way, which illustrates our progression in recent weeks. In defeat, some would say we came away with nothing tangible, but I disagree, our direction of travel is where we want it to be, giving a top 3 side one hell of a fright that for me is as good as a bonus point.”

Next week as the 1XV have a week off, the Stags take centre stage at Lily Hill where Henley are the visitors. The 1XV are back in action at Lilly ill on Saturday 7th December when Newbury Blues are the visitors for the second Berkshire derby of the season (KO 2.15pm ). Please come along and your support to the team. That same day there is a pre-match lunch - £10 per head for a hot buffet & delicious dessert. To book please click here.

Photos Courtesy of Jayne Whitelegg

Bracknell: 1 Elliott Bellman 2 Michael Clarke (C) 3 Nick Ovens 4 Sam Dunks 5 Rhys Verley 6 Sam Gibbons 7 Tom Mew 8 Kieran Forbes 9 Lewis Franklin 10 Vic Hardwicke 11 Ben Yates 12 Daniel Mays 13 Stuart Mackay 14 Ian Burch 15 George Owen Replacements: 16 Harry Challenor 17 Jamie Johnson 18 Chris Laidler