Honours even - again.

In a late switch for both teams (we were due to play Henley, Marlow to play Ealing), the boys served up another nail-biting, end to end game but this time with points, and even a conversion each (indeed for Marlow Bs it was reportedly their first 2-pointer of the season).

Following on from a very robust and energetic training session in the week working on our breakdown techniques, the game kicked off with Marlow er, dominating the breakdown. They committed numbers, and with good technique won Bracknell ball countless times. Fortunately the usual scrum work was in fine form so whilst the first phase ball was being won by Bracknell, most of the second or third phase ball was being snatched by Marlow. The one reprieve was the over-eagerness of some of the Marlow forwards, that often resulted in penalties for Bracknell.

So whilst both teams attempted to attack wide right from the start, the tacky pitch and slippery ball, contributed to a lack of fluidity from both teams and so it was a rather stop/start opening 10 minutes or so. With much of the game being played in the centre of the pitch, the match spluttered into life when a speculative kick from centre field was hacked on by the Marlow chasers, and the opening try scored under the posts.

Seven-nil down, and fortunately a chance to re-group behind the posts and remind the boys what had been happening on the previous Wednesday. Hey presto, they remembered, and as if a switch had been flicked, the breakdowns became an equal battle, and Bracknell with some continuity, started to pressurise the Marlow line a little more consistently.

Penalties were still being dished out at the breakdown, and in a fine statement of intent, both teams decided that running rather than kicking was the best option, and with Max, Billy and Josh W all making good forays into the heart of the Marlow defence, it was from one penalty award the equalising score came. Joe took a quick tap, made ground and off-loaded to Billy who beat a couple of would-be tacklers to touch down – fortunately running in diagonally toward the posts, making the conversion a little easier for Oscar – who nailed it with a fine kick.

So, half time and 7 points each, with the marginal wind in the Bracknell faces for the second half. The second half rather swung from end to end in contrast to the first which was mainly a “middle of the pitch” kind of game. After some fine defending at the start of the half repelling the strong running Marlowers, Max R in particular making some good tackles out wide and Kyle in the tight, Bracknell started to exert pressure at the other end. Tim was prominent in running back several Marlow clearance kicks, and with some better passing the pressure could have turned into points. The one time that we managed a succession of attacking passes, Alex MH made it to the line only to be held up.

Ironically then, it was just as Marlow came back into the game that Bracknell took the lead. A breakdown wide left on the halfway line was won, and Josh, noting the undefended blind-side, darted off, and carried on darting…and darting, with cries of “Go on Tim!” encouraging him onwards. As the Marlow chasers closed in with every stride, the mud seemed to get stickier, and the try line further away, he was tackled just short of the line (the word in the changing room afterwards was that most of the team were right on his shoulder at this point, although this wasn’t very apparent to either Josh, or anyone watching the game!). In a final act, a hitherto unknown expandable arm reached out and dotted the ball down, probably not quite over, but certainly on the line, and Bracknell were ahead. Selfishly, he had declined to touch down between the posts, so the extra 2 points were not added!

Back came Marlow, and for most of the remainder of the game, it was backs against the wall/try-line defence for Bracknell. Marlow managed to bash over the once and even then it was almost held up. This try was timed rather well as it coincided with the 11am remembrance day minutes silence which was very well respected with both teams together on half way – before resuming the hostilities for the last 5 mins. In an uncanny replay of the first game between the sides, it was Marlow who applied the pressure in the closing stages, with Bracknell just about holding out with some solid and brave defending to the final whistle, to once again share the spoils.

Great play again, from both sides, with both defences doing very well. Many thanks to Marlow for their hospitality, and just like their Bucks neighbours Beaconsfield a couple of weeks earlier, arranging the sun to come out for the day in between all of the rain.