Some people make a big deal about long away trips to Devon – OK, mainly me, but I think there is just cause. What can be overlooked however, are the long away trips to West Berkshire. In the rather surreal league in which only Devon and Berkshire sides exist there is no doubt that Berkshire has the edge.

Berkshire, (Bracknell and Redingensians - in current league order!!!!) and Devon (Brixham, Barnstaple and Newton Abbot - also in current league order) are a good 3 hours apart by car so what that equates to in a bus full of rugby players doesn’t bear thinking about.

In this rather strange league that exists only in my head, Devon has good home form – P 4, W 2, D 1, L 1, points for 75, against 67. Berkshire however is better than good, it’s exceptional – P 4, W 4, D 0, L 0, points for 177, against 37. This statistic is even better when you look at Bracknell’s home results alone which account for 113 points to 10. To be fair to the Rams they have at least won in Devon on this year’s league campaign which is more than can be said for Bracknell who only has a draw.

My rather elongated point is that as much as the Berkshire sides don’t look forward to their road trips to Devon I’m sure it is fair to say that the Devon sides look forward to their excursions to Berkshire with even greater trepidation.

I don’t intend to bore you (any more) with how each score was created but suffice to say that Bracknell took charge of the game early on and never looked back. Although in the early skirmishes the visitors had the first shot at goal it was the home side who drew first blood and they were never to be bettered on the scoreboard. Tries from Ollie Taylor, Joe Price, Daniel Ap Dafydd, Stuart MacKay and Ian Burch had the 5 pointer well and truly in the bag by half time. 31 – 3.

Despite a Barnstaple try soon after the restart, when it seemed that Bracknell had switched off rather to much during what was probably one of the more serene of half time talks this season, the scorer was soon back treading the path to the scoreboard as Bracknell chalked up 4 more tries in the second half. Stuart Silvester scored twice, his first being a scorching peel round the back of the lineout when the defenders were readying themselves for a catch and drive and Daniel Antonelli grabbed a try 15 minutes later. Ian Burch added his second after his work hungry kick chase was finished off by a great piece of quick thinking as his tap and go penalty scored the try that capped off the second 50+ point win in succession over Devonian visitors. 55 – 10.

Because this was a fantastic all round effort from the players, coaches and support staff alike, it seems rather unfair to pick out individuals – but that isn’t going to stop me. Ollie Taylor is cementing his place in the side with an athletic ability around the park rarely seen by a second row (at Bracknell) and his score in the corner was complemented by an exceptional pass under pressure in open play to put try scoring machine Stuart MacKay away for a try just before half time. There is no doubt that Bracknell is blessed with two of the best wingers in the league. Ably led by Nico Maybury Bracknell’s forwards are as fit as any side they will meet this season and the second half saw the return of Michael Clarke for his very first appearance of this year’s campaign giving Rory Greenslade-Jones the sort of back row selection headache that any coach would welcome.

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Stuart Silvester, Ken Dowding,Ollie Taylor, Matt Brambley, George Milligan, Jonny Baugh, Nico Maybury (C), Daniel Ap Dafydd, Daniel Antonelli, Ian Burch, Joe Price, Ben Nowak, Stuart Mackay, Liam Prescott. Subs – Kenny Barry, Chris Brember, Michael Clarke, Leigh Halfpenny

Pete’s Predictions

I’m pleased to say that the outstanding result of the week was Bracknell’s demolition of a decent Barnstaple side by 20 points more than their biggest losing margin so far this season that includes away trips to the likes of Lydney and Old Reds. Lydney hold firm at the top with a 31 point shut out against Weston-super-Mare that questions any sides ability to get anywhere near them at the top of the table …but read on.

Avonmouth Old Boys grabbed a hard fought and no doubt well deserved away losing bonus point at Brixham to bounce back from their disappointment in a home bonus point slipping from their grasp in the dying seconds of their contest against Bracknell last week. I had previously suggested that the bottom 3 were destined to stay unchanged but I think that Avonmouth have been having a bit of a resurgence in recent weeks, bolstered by a couple of new faces in the side and if their last two performances are anything to go by I predict that Old Pats will need to keep a careful eye over their shoulders as the remainder of the season unfolds.

To return to the theme that I started with, I still see the Devon sides having a big say in the outcome of the season. If (a big if) Bracknell can nick a win at Brixham in a couple of weeks’ time and avenge their defeat at the hands of Newton Abbot they will be in with a chance of the play offs.

Lydney also have a bit of a test on the horizon when, from 22nd February they embark on 3 away trips to our friends in Devon separated only by the respite of a home fixture from our own good selves. If the unthinkable were to happen things could look very differently once the dust of the 6 Nations tournament has settled.

This gives you every reason to travel to Weston-super Mare next week for a game that Bracknell must win to prevent Bracknell’s playoff aspirations (not to mention my predictions) from sounding like complete rubbish.

GO BRFC!