If player coach 'Glyo' was prone to pessimism, preparation for today's BBO Division 3 clash with Reading 3's may have pushed him over the edge. The game was to be played on pitch 1, Reading 2nd XV didn't have a game, the opposition was unrecognisable and 3 players picked up injuries in the warm-up.

The diminutive London Society referee blow his whistle and Reading, fielding many 2nd XV players, started the strongest with the wind on their backs. There dominance of territory and procession throughout the 1st half, was marked, but poor command of basic core skills and stout Bracknell defence limited their opportunities to turn pressure in to points. The Vikings only points of the half came with Bracknell reduced to 14, and a quick tap meters away from the referees mark with Bracknell defensive line a sleep, it was a walk-in. The Vikings led by 7-0 after their portly 10 converted.

The defensive effort from Bracknell's Mighty 3's was immense, with Michael Jones, Andrew Oliver, Craig Lee and Tristan 'Frodo' Carter leading the tackle count. Every player put in a defensive shift, with John Boucher making a excellent try saving tackle, he will now be know as John 'The Tackle' Boucher, tackle in the singular, as he's still only made one!

Jonnie B had an outstanding game, giving the young Vikings 10 a masterclass in game management. The young 10 will soon learn you need a modicum of ability before you start strutting around showing off your tail feathers like a posturing peacock. He was also guilt of a petulant and very late 'powder puff' short arm tackle that went unpunished by the referee.

The half ended with The Vikings 7-0 to the good.

Gylo made some changes, and gave a Churchillian speech, as the Bracknell 2nd half performance was the polar opposite to the 1st, orchestrated by Jonnie 'The Tackle' they played with adventure, pace and power. Mike Eastwell and Ni All carried and busted holes in the Vikings back line. The structure and variation in mighty 3's play was striking, and effective. In the forward pack veterans Ledger and Abbott led from the front, and disrupted the Reading attacks consistently, especially at the line out.

Reading had brought on a bruiser at no. 8 with arms the size of Popeye, but he too was dominated, proving size is not everything and that less spinach and more basic core skills are required at Reading.

Bracknell's 1st score came courtesy of some fluent handling and ball retention in contact, with Stuart Green dotting down wide in the left hand corner. The conversion was missed, the Vikings lead was reduced to 2 points and the Mighty 3's were on the charge.

The Bracknell physicality and work rate remained high against the bigger side, and the claustrophobic defensive effort reduced the portly 10 to kick (poorly) procession away, allowing the free running back 3 of Dan Borthwick, Stuart Green and Nathan Reed to launch attack after attack turning the Vikings heavier pack. This extra bulk did feature in the Vikings only really attack of the 2nd half, which resulted in a try from a well drilled line out catch and drive. The Peacock fluffed his kick at goal, and his feathers had been clipped. The Vikings led 12-5.

Minutes later Bracknell scored the try of the game, from a line out on half way. Feeding the ball of the top, Jonnie B and Ni All executed a 10/12 wrap expertly holding the Vikings midfield, the ball moved wide through Mike Eastwell and Dan Borthwick hit the line like a 'Jap on a moped'. This incursion took him beyond the cover defence and he scored with aplomb. The conversion was missed, and it was a 2 point game once again at 12-10.

The Bracknell attacks continued. Mike Eastwell, close the Vikings line, invented a new passing move called 'The Juggle', which ended up in Dan Borthwick's hands, he spun, and dived for the line but was held up.

The definitive moment followed soon after. The Mighty 3's awarded a penalty 30 meters out, and wide on the left chose to kick at goal. A brave decision. But Radders Junior was up to the task, and dissected the sticks with a sweetly struck penalty. Another lesson learnt by the portly peacock!

So with 20 minutes to play, Bracknell had taken the lead for the first time with a slender 12-13 lead.

The Mighty 3's retained there dominance, and played with real flare. Jonnie The Tackle, varied the points of attack, with intelligent kicks to space, and bold decisions to attack wide. This variety in attack and physicality in defence, continued to unsettle the Vikings, who's command of core skills let them down continually when they did have the ball.

The Vikings had their moments, mainly through Popeyes pick and goes from no. 8. Whilst ground was made, these charges were readily snuffed out notably by Ni All at 12, and the Mighty 3's closed the game out to recorded a creditable and much deserved win.

This was a performance of two halves, grim determination in the 1st and one of excellent structure, adventure and game management in the 2nd. The heart in the squad is strong, demonstrated by Gylo, Ben Frost and Bradley Walters who all picked up injuries in the warm-up but put in a shift when it was needed.

Well done lads, a great win against Reading 3's, or was it the 2's? To be honest, who cares, a wins a win!

Go BRFC!