Slough 2nd XV 0 - 47 Bracknell 3rd XV

After 7 successive wins Bracknell 3rd XV headed BBO 3 South, but ravaged by injury and in availability, slumped to two successive defeats to strong opposition in Reading and Maidenhead respective 3rd XV's.

So the fixture verses Slough 2nd XV provided them with an opportunity to return to their winning ways.

Playing in to a slight breeze, with a balanced team full of youth and experience, Bracknell received the kick off and immediately secured the upper hand in procession and territory. It was clear that if they did the simple things well, they would be strong favourites for a return to winning ways.

Rugby is played in the head, as much as in deed, so whilst realising that the victory was certain they spent much of the first quarter over complicating players and lacking the clinical edge. The first try settled the side and the rest is now history.

The highlights included;

- A great steal from Dave Rosi, the ever present no8 on the Bracknell 22, which was followed by simple hands along the back line for Martin Cooper to finish with a 60m canter.

- A double and seemingly telepathic blind switches between the 10, 12, 13 combo (Martin Radford, Daniel Borthwick and Matt Tipper), that resulted in a try under the posts.

- A jinky run from John Boucher to score, some would say he's a shoe in for the next series of 'Strictly' with those twinkle toes!

- With no forward replacements, Martin Radford's face going whiter and whiter, when it was apparent that he might need to slip in to the 8 shirt for the final 10 mins when Dave Rosi tweaked his knee. Thankfully Dave Rosi is made of teak and played the full 80.

Men of the match were Chris Griffith and Scott Walters for their endeavours in the back row.

The writer could not exactly remember who scored when, because he was breathing through his a*se or running the line, but he believes that Chris Griffith grabbed a pair, as did Martin Cooper, other scorers were Dave Rosi, John Boucher and Steven Reid. Matt Tipper had a good day with the boot, kicking 6 from 7. Let me know if I have that wrong!!!

Bracknell - John Boucher, Simon Brambley , Nigel Wright, Steven Reid , Stefano Rosi, Jason Lewis, Scott Walters, Dave Rosi, Chris Griffith, Sam Turney, Martin Radford (C), Chris Samson, Matt Tipper, Martin Cooper, Daniel Borthwick , Lee Woods , Lawrence Grazier.