Ivybridge may claim to be the ‘draw specialists’ of SW Premier this season as so far they have had three draws. Perhaps without those three draws they may be higher than their seventh spot before kick off, having beaten the league leaders, Barnstaple, at home and away, not too mention wins at Maidenhead (plus a draw at home) and at home to Exeter University. When the sides met earlier in the season there was not a draw in slight, Ivybridge ran out winners by 34 point to nil.

Bracknell were looking to repeat the performance of the first hour last week when they led Barnstaple by thirteen points, for a whole game. They were unable to do so with the same team as a number of changes to the starting line from last week were enforced by injuries; Jamie Johnson (knee); Alex Stanley (ankle); Tom Field (shoulder) and Kieran Forbes (foot). This meant that making their 1XV debuts were second row David Barron and number 8 James Burger.

Due to the weather the game was played on the artificial surface at Maidenhead RFC's Braywick Road ground. Many thanks to them for hosting so the game could go ahead. More unusually the game was being played on a 29th of February.

Before the start of the game the sides gathered for a round of applause for Trevor Baker who sadly passed earlier in the week. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Bracknell started the game attacking towards the town, the strong wind giving them a slight advantage in the first half. It would not take long to open the scoring as with barely three minutes gone on the clock Dan Spencer-Tonks attacking with great pace, cut a swathe through the Ivybridge back line to open the scoring for Bracknell.

Bracknell continued to press the Ivybridge line and were further rewarded when a neat show and go from Lewis Franklin found space sending him cantering over the Ivybridge try line. The conversion by George Owen was good and Bracknell had a twelve-point lead with fifteen minutes gone.

Ivybridge opened their account for the day with a try off a catch and drive from a line out on the Bracknell five-meter line. Tight head prop Wes Vermigle with the touch down, fly half Matt Greiveson converting.

Bracknell responded with a try of their own, which was an almost carbon copy of Ivybridge’s try four minutes early. With the backs joining a driving maul off a line-out, Dan Spencer-Tonks came up with the touch down. George Owen again on target with the conversion

Having had their lead cut by a Matt Greiveson penalty Bracknell attacked again. A delayed pass from Chris Laidler sent David Barron galloping free in the Ivybridge 22 and over the try line for Bracknell’s bonus point try. George Owen's conversion was good to extend Bracknell lead to sixteen points.

In the action again, Dan Spencer-Tonks was sent to the sin for a high tackle, the resultant penalty was successfully kicked by Matt Greiveson to end the scoring for the half.

Half time: Bracknell 26 Ivybridge 13

Immediately from the restart Bracknell had to weather a number of phases within their own 22 as Ivybridge took advantage of the second half wind. Some plucky defence keeping Ivybrdge at bay. Having seen off the early Ivybridge attacks Bracknell were able to add to their half time score. A penalty for a high tackle was kicked to the corner. From the line out a drive over the Ivybridge try line was dotted down by Michael Clarke. Conversion from George Owen was again good.

With Tom Scott in the sin bin, further Ivybridge pressure ended in a score for skipper Jay Geraty. The conversion was missed in the strong wind.

Into the final ten minutes a strong run by Ian Burch was hauled down short of the Ivybridge try line but a quick pick up by Dan Spencer-Tonks saw him over in the corner for his hat trick try.

The numbers were reduced again as both teams had players sent to the sin within moments of each other.

The final try for Bracknell and the afternoon was a well worked try. After a number of attacking phases a long pass from Chris Laidler found Ben Yates out wide on the wing, he cut off his wing to beat the defence to dot down.

Full time: Bracknell 43 Ivybridge 18 (Points: Bracknell 5 Ivybridge 0)

The 1XV are back in action next week when they are on their travels to Launceston, in what could be a season defining game for both sides. Bracknell return to home action on Saturday 21st March when our hosts, Maidenhead make the short trip to Lily Hill. Prior to that kick off there is a pre-Match Lunch for more details and booking click here.

A few social dates for your dairy:
+ Next Friday (6th March) Join us for our Curry Night for full details and booking click here
+ Friday 13th March The Scrum - Craft Beer Pop Up Bar (6pm to 11pm). Tickets are available now at >> https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/craft-beer-popup-the-scrum-bar-at-bracknell-rugby-club-tickets-89219789793?aff=efbeventtix
+ Saturday 14th March Six Nations Final Round - Join us for all the day’s action live on the clubhouse screens. Keep an eye on the website for updates.
+ Sunday 24th May - Bracknell Beer & Cider Festive tickets are NOW on sale.

Photos courtesy Jayne Whitelegg

#GoBRFC

Bracknell: 1. Harry Challenor 2. Michael Clarke (C) 3. Jonny Mirza 4. David Barron 5. Rhys Verley 6. Sam Gibbons 7. Tom Mew 8. James Burger 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Chris Laidler 11. George Owen 12. Dan Spencer-Tonks 13. Dan Mays 14. Ian Burch 15. Gabe Hills Replacements: 16. Nick Ovens 17. Tom Scott 18. Ben Yates