It’s been 3 weeks since either side played their last game and with the weather the way it has been some feared that it would be a while yet before the players could ‘don their club shirts in anger.

With record rainfall in December and January followed by a forecast of ever worsening storms many thought that this fixture was doomed weeks ago. While the writer was one of the many, and he and others cancelled their Brixham hotel rooms the canny groundsman at Brixham knew better and I understand that in his mind the fixture was “never in doubt”.

All credit must go to the Brixham ground staff or perhaps their storm proof pitch; because I am sure that the opportunity to play was welcomed by both sides even though some away supporters were sat back in flood stricken Berkshire in disbelief that the game went ahead.

It is for this reason that the remainder of this report will be a mixture of fabrication and conjecture (what else is new I hear you scream) because the writer was sat in The Ship in Wokingham for the majority of the match.

The home side, playing up the slope and against the wind took the lead in
the first minute but a few minutes later Ian Burch scored for Bracknell, converted by Liam Prescott to take a lead that their advantage in slope and wind demanded if they had any intentions of winning the game. 3 – 7.

Despite the setback of losing their fly half to injury very early on, Bracknell were to score again through George Milligan, again converted by Liam Prescott. You may recall seeing the scorer’s name before in these reports and you would be right – George Milligan is one of the most prolific try scorers in the league and, as a forward, he may well be up there on his own. 3 – 14.

In the remaining 25 minutes of the first half, despite losing out 2 to 1 on the yellow card stats, Bracknell edged further away from the home side on the scoreboard thanks to Liam Prescott winning 2 to 1 on the successful penalty count. Half time 6 – 20.

Whether the slender lead would prove to be enough to secure a win was anyone’s guess (unless you read the score at the top of the report) because Brixham will have turned around many similar score lines in the past when playing downhill with the wind behind them as they did in the second half.

Perhaps crucially, the first score of the second half saw Bracknell extend their lead through Liam Prescott’s boot so that Brixham required 2 scores and more to reach parity. 6 – 23.

On this particular occasion home advantage and home knowledge proved not to be enough as Brixham succumbed to only their second home defeat of this campaign - our Berkshire neighbours Redingensians being the only other side to return from Brixham with a win under their belts. Whoever talks about the long trip to Devon knows nothing….

Brixham’s inevitable second half pressure only found reward with 10 minutes to go as a converted try reduced the deficit to 10 points. Any possibility of a second half comeback, so often seen by the home support, was thwarted by the hard fought defence of a fit and organised Bracknell side. Brixham’s final efforts went unrewarded and the bonus point, not to mention a win that they may once have thought to be on the cards, was not to be. Full time 13 – 23.

Bracknell – Jonny Mirza, Stuart Silvester, Ken Dowding, Ollie Taylor, Kenny Barry, Matt Brambley, George Milligan, Nico Maybury (C), Daniel Ap Dafydd, Daniel Antonelli, Ian Burch, Joe Price, Ben Nowak, Stuart Mackay, Liam Prescott. Subs – Jack Petelo, Rudal Aiono, Neil Higgins, Lizzy Yarnold

Pete’s Predictions

The last time a full league programme of fixtures was played was back on 14th December so it’s been difficult to see any trends in results.

Lydney remain in the prime spot for automatic promotion but have to hold their nerve through a testing month ahead when are scheduled to travel to Devon 3 times with their only home respite being a game against Bracknell who will want to avenge their heaviest defeat of the season, a defeat they will feel they need to redress.

Contenders for the playoff spot have been reduced to just the 2 Berkshire sides, Redingensians and Bracknell, but neither side look like giving much away. The Rams appear to have the easier run in and having taken 2 good points from Lydney in January they must have the edge.

Having predicted that Old Pats should look over their shoulders at Avonmouth Old Boys, AOB have only picked up 2 bonus points since. That doesn’t allow the Cirencester side any cause to relax though – while AOB have stuttered, Chippenham have won their last 2 games and Old Cents have won 2 of their last 3 so it could well go down to the wire in the relegation battle.

While Bracknell and Amersham sit out next week to enjoy the 6 Nations the following week sees a full league programme (subject to weather) and Bracknell host a Chippenham side who are in the best shape they have been all season.

Having not played a single home game in February, the Bracknell pitch should pass muster so please put Saturday March 1st in your diary and come down to cheer on the Bracknell boys.

GO BRFC