Barnstaple 8 - 8 Bracknell

Bracknell have 3 long away trips to Devon this season and this Saturday saw the first of them as they were welcomed to the north coast by a Barnstaple side who currently sit higher in the league table than their south coast rivals Brixham and Newton Abbot

Barnstaple topped this league’s attendance table last season and are renowned for their hearty home support that has seen them maintain a 100% home win record so far this season, so Bracknell could ill afford to repeat last week’s poor first half performance.

After the home side missed their first penalty attempt Liam Prescott stepped up to slot his first attempt and put the visitors into a 0 – 3 lead. Bracknell had obviously shaken the long journey out of their legs in the warm up because they went on to take control of the early exchanges and would eventually extend their lead through a try by Joe Price which went unconverted. 0 – 8.

Bracknell’s strangle hold on the first half continued and the subdued home crowd found little to cheer as “Barum” as the home side are known, failed to capitalise on the few opportunities that came their way. A single penalty was all the home side could offer as Bracknell went to the dressing room with a deserved half time lead of 3 – 8 and a feeling that there was more to come.

That feeling faded away after the restart however, and it was the home side that had the better of the third quarter. They put together a few more phases, gained more territory and although appearing to knock the ball on in midfield, regained possession and got the home fan’s feet stamping in the grandstand as their winger raced away to level the scores with a try that went unconverted. 8 – 8.

Barnstaple disrupted the Bracknell set piece at both scrum and line out and made it difficult for he away side to create and periods of sustained pressure. More than once, what pressure they did create was released by the referee as Bracknell were rather unusually penalised while in possession and on the attack – on one particular occasion just metres from the try line.

The last twenty minutes of the game saw some end to end play with both sides getting to within metres of their opponent’s line and both sides also choosing to turn down penalty kicks that could have built a slender lead in favour of kicks to the corner that would ultimately end up being fruitless.

At the final whistle Bracknell had to be content with a draw and 2 league points that saw them drop just one place in the table to 3rd when there had been the real possibility that this long trip away might have seen them drop to 5th or 6th so we shouldn’t be too disappointed. Bracknell had reduced Barnstaple’s 100% home win record to an unbeaten home record and have got one of their toughest road trips out of the way while Barnstaple may feel the pressure as they have to rebalance their campaign which has seen them play 4 of their first 6 games at home.

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Craig Fillier, Ken Dowding, Kenny Barry, Ollie Taylor, Matt Brambley, George Milligan, Nico Maybury (Capt), Daniel Ap Dafydd, Daniel Antonelli, Ian Burch, Joe Price, Neil Higgins, Stuart Mackay, Liam Prescott. Subs – Joe Clapson, Jonny Baugh, Ben Nowak, Terry Sellick

Pete's Predictions

Elsewhere in the league, Lydney fought back from being behind at Weston to take a bonus point win and extend their lead at the top of the table and on current form look like bouncing straight back up to the league they left last season.

Following their opening game loss at Bracknell, Old Redcliffians have been near faultless including a fine home win against Lydney and have now overtaken us to go 2nd. They have however; played 3 of the bottom 4 so may have a tough run up to Christmas

Worcester Wanderers were the only side to beat a side placed above them in the league and also the only team in the bottom 6 to chalk up a win so they appear to be coming in to form just in time for their visit to Bracknell next week.

Bracknell must take heed of Worcester’s recent results and keep their last home performance in mind, but if they work hard and play to their ability they should extend their own 100% home win record which would see them at least hold on to 3rd place. Lydney aside, our 4 closest rivals at the top end of the table all travel away from home so their fortunes on the road will be awaited with interest.

The picture above is taken from North Devon Journal. More pictures of the game can be seen on their website by clicking here.