BRACKNELL HURRICANES U14 STORM OVER READING ABBEY BLUE IN BERKSHIRE SHIELD SEMI FINAL

On another cold day over at Abbey’s Peppard Road, ground and Bracknell Hurricanes kicked off in the Berkshire Shield Semi-Final against local rivals Abbey Blue.
The Bracknell boys soon had Abbey under pressure in Abbey’s half and after six minutes broke the deadlock from an attack on the right with No. 8 James W offloading to fly half Zach P in support for him to score in the corner, 5-0 to Bracknell.
The game continued at a fast pace and six minutes later James Waller following another attack on the right broke free to dive over the whitewash to score try number 2, 10-0 to Bracknell.
In spite of Abbey’s powerful forwards winning the breakdown and rucks giving their backs plenty of ball, Bracknell’s line speed was putting the Abbey backs under pressure and the pressure force handling error and miss time pass in the Abbey midfield.
Another Bracknell attack and second-rower Sam S was in support again to drive over the line, Zach P added the extras, 17-0 to Bracknell.
More good handling by the Bracknell backs and left-winger Sam P scored two more tries, outpacing Abbey’s defence on both occasions to go under the posts, Zach P adding the conversions to go in at the break, 31-0 up.

Half time focus remained focused and accurate in all areas,

Three minutes into the half and Sam S made a strong run to break the defensive line close to halfway line to offload to Zach P in support. Zach sidestepped the last line of defence and used his pace to go in under the posts and convert his own try, 38-0 Bracknell.
A more quick ball through the hands and centre Rudy S drew his opposite number and gave a perfectly timed pass to for wing Charlie G to run in under the posts, Zach P converted, 45-0.
Another dynamic run by Sam S and he went over to score, Zach P converted 52-0.
More concerted pressure from Bracknell and several rucks later close to Abbey’s line and Sam S crashed over to score his hattrick. Zach P converted with a final score of 57-0 to Bracknell.
Abbey never gave up and although the scoreline suggested otherwise it was not an easy game and the Hurricanes had to work hard for all their scores and Abbey forwards rucking was strong and turned over Bracknell ball on more than one occasion.

The Abbey coaches deservedly nominated Zach P. as their Man of the Match and the Bracknell coaches nominated Abbey’s prop Harry.

Big thanks and well done to Harvey and Keyan for supporting the Canes and playing an active part in the game.

Report Ian Manners