Full marks for positivity at Fullerians

However, not as early as the A team who were already out and warming up on arrival.

Two debutants, Luke and Ben started in the wide positions and acquitted themselves very well during the time which they were on the pitch.

It was very much a game of two contrasting halves with Bracknell turning around 17-5 up, and enduring a pretty scrappy second half during which the weather worsened, with the cross wind picking up and bringing some horizontal rain with it, and the Fullerians side, if not exactly sticking it up their jumpers, then certainly focussing their game on their big ball carriers.

The lone second half score showcased precisely what this team do well, as a penalty in the centre of the pitch was quickly taken and the ball moved along a ready and willing backline, with quick hands to Theo who rounded his winger and stepped inside the full back to score under the posts. Joe converting.

The rest of the second half was notable for the differing styles of play, with Bracknell trying to stretch the game at every opportunity, and finding as much opposition with the elements as with the Fullerians defence, as passing, catching, lineout throwing and kicking all became a little challenging.

In fairness, spectating became a little challenging also, with several of the A team, who had kindly stayed on to support their mates, having to succumb to the weather (and to common-sense).

However, it is great to see the boys continuing to play in this manner, and whilst some watchers could become a little frustrated with some of the errors, the fact is that the alternative to playing whilst risking the elements is the old fashioned “10-man rugby” which is not really what anyone would want to spend their Sunday mornings watching.

Back to the first half though, and three good tries scored, with the first being Matthew’s first score for the club. Playing at outside centre, he was the beneficiary of good quick ball from a scrum, and an eye for the gap from Max inside him, who burst through the centre defence, made good ground before setting Matthew off, still with some work to do, but scoring well. Josh J converted very well.

Shortly after there was a hearty response from Fullerians, who managed their first (and ultimately only) try, but once again finding several Bracknell defenders clinging on as the scorer crossed the line and only narrowly failing to prevent a score.

The next two tries were very similar, both with good powerful ball won by the forwards inside the attacking 22m. Firstly Josh J skipped though the defence to score, and this was followed shortly afterwards with the forwards forcing a turnover from a very similar position, and the boys moving it wide quickly to outflank the defence and enable Tim out left, to dot it down.

Other highlights from the first period were the continued fine work of the forwards, particularly at the scrum, and a notable charge from Kyle who broke away from a lineout in his own half and made it to the 22m line before being hauled down.

The second half saw a lot of defensive work from Bracknell in between trying to keep playing despite the weather, and with all of the boys performing (again) some fine deeds in defence, Max appeared to be making at least every other tackle, whilst Tom and Kyle became more prominent the more that Fullerians main strike runner got his hands on the ball.

Last comment is that the positivity shown was exemplified as the "last play" was called by the ref and instead of kicking the ball out (as some of the parents may have wished!), the boys kept playing, searching for one final score. Unsurprisingly, the slippery ball won this particular contest, but there is no doubt that it was not for lack of intent.

Again, a very different team to the previous week, and again a very solid (and adventurous) team performance.