Another game of two halves!!!

So after the last two games providing (alternate) “games of two halves”, Hungerford showed up for a league encounter at Calfridus, following on from two very closely contested league games last year which were most clearly “games of two halves”. Unsurprisingly then, this was a game in which each team had the better of one half each, but pleasingly for the neutral observer – if indeed there were any – the actual result was in doubt right until the very end.

Pleasingly, for the Bracknell observers, it was our home side that prevailed.

Hungerford controlled much of the ball for large parts of the game, and across both halves had territorial advantage. Before the game, the boys had discussed the importance of a strong defence, and ultimately it was this that enabled Bracknell to take the league points. Well, it was this, and a stunning hat-trick of tries from Alex. He certainly grabbed the headlines, but it is hard not to think that without the effective defending, then his efforts may have been in vain.

The defence was a great team effort, but Oakley and Matt were particularly prominent, with very effective defending both wide and through the middle of the pitch.

For most of the game the forwards had a (metaphorical) fight on their hands, containing the Hungerford pack, and for much of the second half became drawn into a battle of attrition with the ball seemingly unable to be consistently secured by either side, and parts of the game consisting of a series of forward drives, resulting in an eventual error from one side or the other. Whilst there was no rain, the pitch was very sticky and we should remember that in these conditions, it makes the simpler skills harder to execute, and it does physically and mentally tire the boys quicker.

With both teams trying to find their feet in the game (at times, literally), the scoring was opened by Bracknell when Hungerford ball was turned over just inside the Bracknell half, with Lewis, then Joe moving down the blind side, and getting the ball to Alex who beat several defenders before stretching way to score under the posts. Josh converting.

Hungerford came back at Bracknell from the re-start and pressured both the forwards and the midfield, resulting in more scrappy play, and a distinct lack of flow to the game. A few good drives from Kyle and Ryan were the highlights with ball in hand for the home team. A quickly taken Bracknell penalty toward the end of the half engineered the second score, as again the boys chose the short side and again found Alex in a very similar position, and after beating a few more defenders, ran in from distance, Josh adding the two-pointer.

This time though, as the half ticked away, Hungerford pulled a try back with a good strong run, through an uncharacteristically flimsy defence and gained a try in the corner, that could not be converted. 14-5 at half time.

The second half became a rather strange affair as Bracknell became very forward oriented, whilst Hungerford tried to run the ball a little more expansively, and kick for territory. Ironically Bracknell did manage to make some good ground when it did pass through the hands but it really wasn’t happening often enough. Hungerford pulled one try back (14-10), and then a second with just 7 minutes left, both in the corner and unconverted, to claw the game back into their favour for the first time in the game at 14-15. The balance of the second period probably reflected that scoreline.

It was at this point that the boys reverted to a more suitable game and actually started to play some good rugby. After a decent multi-pass attack out of their own 22m, the ball was quickly recycled and for probably the first time in that half. It was spread wide along the line to Alex, who with just two minutes left on the clock again beat a couple of defenders on the outside to cross in the corner. However, rather than put the ball down he tickled the supporters nerves a little more by beating another two defenders in the dead ball area, and touched down under the posts. A grateful Josh maintaining his 100% record.

The remaining two minutes did appear to take a long time, as Hungerford again attacked, but buoyed by finally regaining the lead the Bracknell boys produced a very secure defensive display in their own 22m, as good as at anytime during the game, finishing with an excellent counter ruck, to secure the ball and subsequently the game.

Thanks to Hungerford for again contributing to an exciting and close game.