Following mixed performances in their warm up games Bracknell started their 2013/14 campaign at Lily Hill Park against an Old Redcliffians side that have had almost identical fortunes over the last 2 seasons

Like Bracknell, Old Reds finished 3rd from bottom in their level 5 league in the 2011/12 season, Old Reds in the league we are in this year – and Bracknell in the equivalent London &South-East Division 3. Old Reds were relegated to South West 1 West and Bracknell were relegated and transferred across to South West 1 East. Both sides treated relegation as an opportunity to regroup and won their leagues outright. Bracknell and Old Reds now find themselves in the same league for the first time in the history of the 2 clubs

As could have been predicted from 2 such similar sides the honours were even at half time. Bracknell opened the scoring with a penalty from new signing Liam Prescott who featured in London Irish Wild Geese’s promotion winning performances in this very league last season. 3-0 Old Reds levelled the scores with a penalty not long after an unsuccessful penalty attempt had rebounded off the cross bar 3-3.

Although drawing level however, the visitors failed to learn from the dangers of hitting the woodwork and conceded their first try after a Liam Prescott penalty attempt glanced of the posts and the alert Chris Brember pounced on a bobbling ball to score a try for Bracknell. Liam Prescott converted for a 10 – 3 Bracknell lead.

This would have been a useful lead to have taken to the changing rooms at half time but Bracknell spent too long reflecting on their good fortune and that fleeting loss of concentration allowed Old Reds to level the scores with a converted try of their own. The half time score of 10-10 was probably a fair reflection of the efforts of the 2 sides looking to find their feet in a new league

The second half, with Bracknell playing in their preferred direction of towards the club house was a different story however. Following some even, early exchanges Bracknell emerged as a more confident looking side. The errors that had stemmed promising attacking phases in the first half had been left in the changing rooms to give the home side some better scoring opportunities which they made the most of.

On his debut for Bracknell, Ken Dowding capped a fine performance that showed ability in set piece, defence and attack by crashing over under the posts to open up a lead that Old Reds would never recover from. Liam Prescott added a simple conversion. 17-10

An equally notable debut from Liam Prescott saw him open his try scoring account at the first opportunity but his conversion attempt from out wide was fired just outside the upright. I believe there is good reason for Bracknell followers to be confident that this well be the first of many. 22-10

Very encouraged starts from new faces were backed up by noteworthy performances from many of the better known names. Ben Nowak has never looked better at centre giving the Old Reds midfield defence plenty to think about. Nico Maybury gave a captain’s performance from 8 with big hits in defence and surging runs in attack. Last years faces both young and old (Kenny Barry !) showed that they have not been idle over the summer and as the game wore on the commendable level of fitness that saw off many a tight game last season came to the fore again today and the side smelled the blood of a bonus point.

Spurning the opportunity to take a very kickable penalty that would build a 15 point lead and put the game beyond Old Reds, Bracknell continued last year’s positive approach and kicked to the corner in search of a 4th try. Although their efforts were thwarted on this attempt they had the territory they needed to grab that bonus point and another series of well worked phase opened up a tiring Old Reds defence for Jonny Mirza to crash over. Although Liam Prescott’s conversion flew over one of the uprights to leave the referee, touch judges and the crowd unsure of the final score there was no doubting the final result which left Bracknell in third place in the table as one of only 4 sides with an opening game bonus point

It may prove to be that Bracknell has just been fortunate to have been handed a home draw against a side unused to the intensity of this league, but 2 sides who started this campaign with very similar recent pasts and future ambitions now find themselves in very different places

If the opening game can say anything about the season ahead, Bracknell will at least for the next week or so be considered a side to look out for and Old Redcliffians will feel the pressure of being without a point, at the wrong end of the table and with the spectre of relegation back in the minds of their supporters.

Cliché time – there is a long way to go and the league is a marathon not a sprint. You can’t win the league on the opening day of the season but you can lose it. You can only beat the opposition that is in front of you – some truth in all of them

Time for the reality check – we travel to Redingensians next week who will be smarting from their less than ideal and ultimately fruitless opening trip away to a Barnstaple side who give very little away at home

Played 1 Won 1 Bonus points 1 Total points 5. We’ll take that as about as good a start as could have wished for.

(Bracknell Team Mirza, Filler, Dowding, Barry, Bailey, Brambley, Milligan, Maybury (c), Ap Dyydd, Antonelli, Burch, Nowak, Brember, Mackay, Prescott, Reps Taylor, Aiono, Laider)