Earlier in the season the University ran out 42 -17 winners in the away game in Exeter. That result did not give the full story as it was only in the final quarter that a late flurry of tries secured victory for the University, not even a Michael Clarke hat trick could not prevent defeat for Bracknell that day. Before kick off the University were sitting in a healthy fourth spot in the table on 47 points, with six home wins and two away wins. The University’s two away wins coming in Berkshire (at Newbury Blues) and at Drybrook (who defeated Bracknell last Saturday) not to mention a good showing at Maidenhead in the second game of the season when they lost 45-43.

Head of Rugby, Dan ap Dafydd made two changes to the back line that faced Drybrook last week, Ben Yates and Dan Mays starting at right wing and inside centre respectively. In the forwards Elliott Bellam started at loose head swapping with Harry Challenor on the bench while Sam Gibbons returned to the replacements bench.

Before the start of the game all sides playing at home gathered on the 22-meter line for a round of applause for Jack Whitelaw who sadly passed earlier in the week. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Bracknell kicked off attacking the clubhouse. It would be the University that would open the scoring. Scrum half Pietro Di Chio was at the end of a swift passing movement to score in the corner with eight minutes on the clock gone. Only moments later, the University doubled their score. A Bracknell attack broke down in the Exeter half as the ball was dropped. Winger Jordan Bond swept up the loose ball and sprinted up the pitch to score under the Bracknell uprights. Fly half Carl Morgan was on target with the conversion.

As the half moved on Bracknell were able to exert some pressure and momentum in the University half. This was finally rewarded as after a number of attacking phases, Chris Laidler muscled his way over the University try line. He still had enough energy to convert his own try and reduce the University's lead at half time to just five points.

Half time: Bracknell 7 Exeter University 12

The University got the second half underway. From re-start Bracknell failed to control the ball allowing University back row Luke Bralsford to steal the ball to feed tight head prop Max Taylor-Baggs to score. The successful conversion left Bracknell with a twelve point deficit with less than a minute of the second half gone.

Centre Fergus Donnelly scored the University’s bonus point try with 20 minutes of the second half gone.

The University added one further try before Bracknell gained some consolation with ten minutes of the game remaining. A catch and drive off a line-out in the University 22 was driven over for Bracknell’s second score of the afternoon. Skipper Michael Clarke dotting down.

The final score of the afternoon went to the University. A kick down field was gathered by loose head prop Jacob Morris to score. Carl Morgan adding the extra’s.

Full time: Bracknell 12 Exeter University 40 (Points: Bracknell 0 Exeter University 5)

Chairman of rugby, Martin Radford bemoaned after the game ” Too many errors cost us today!”

Well done to the Stags who recorded a 29-17 win over Sutton & Epsom in their Raging Bull Shield game. Commiserations to the 3XV who lost by three points to Berkshire rivals Reading Wanderers in their BBO1 game.

The 1XV are back on the road next Saturday as they travel to Devon to face Exmouth. They are back at Lily Hill for the re-arranged game against league leaders Barnstaple on 22nd February (KO 2.15pm).

#GoBRFC

Photos courtesy of Jayne Whitelegg

Bracknell: 1. Elliott Bellman 2. Michael Clarke (C) 3. Jonny Mirza 4. Rhys Verley 5. Jamie Johnson 6. Alex Stanley 7. Tom Field 8. Kieran Forbes 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Vic Hardwicke 11. Ian Burch 12. Dan Mays 13. Bart van Herwijnen 14. Ben Yates 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: 16. Harry Challenor 17. Sam Gibbons 18. Chris Laidler