Bracknell RFC U18 18 - 5 Cleve RFC U18

Cleve U18's travelled to Bracknell for this National U18 Colts Cup South West Regional Quarter Final, with some confidence, to play a Bracknell team yet to taste defeat this season. The away supporters expect their team to dominate the breakdown area, and be confrontational in defence, but Bracknell proved to be a tough nut to crack in these departments.

The pitch was was playable but heavy and would play a significant part in the day's events as they unfolded. Gaining an unassailable lead on this surface, was going to be a challenge for either side, so the result was expect to be in the balance throughout.

The early exchanges suggested Bracknell were the more direct & dynamic team in attack, with Cleve showing intent to attack the wide channels. After 5 minutes Jake Findley opened the scoring from 30m with a well struck penalty, which proved to be the only successful kick at goal on the day. Both defences tackled well, big hits echoing around Calfridus Way, none more so than from Tom Field.

Bracknell tightened their grip, but progress was stifled by errors, some due to the mud-caked ball, others unforced.

Physicality was the watch word of the day, expertly illustrated by the opening try, with Grant Coates, released in to some space choosing the direct route to the line, bashing his way through Cleve's wing and fall back to score the opening try. Bracknell led 8-0 after 22minutes.

Long injury breaks can prove an unwelcome distraction, and there were a number throughout this game. Daniella Frisoli, the Bracknell Physio, was busy throughout, mainly on behalf of Cleve who sustained a number of nasty looking injuries (big thanks Daniella for your diligence). After the first of these long breaks, Bracknell reacted quickest to a Cleve knock-on in the midfield, Michael Hardcastle hacked the loose ball forward. Luke Fisher, returning to the team after a long lay-off won the race to the ball, controlled the ball with panache and great footwork before diving on it to score.

Bracknell led 13-0. Whilst mistakes were made, Bracknell's dominance was clear for all to see, in the set piece, at the breakdown and in open play. Jake Findley, punished every Cleve infringement with his boot. As the whistle blew for half time, a 13 point lead was well deserved, but remained within reach of a competent and competitive Cleve XV. As the teams turned around, the next score was going to be definitive.

Bracknell began by continuing to steal the hard yards, and a resultant kickable penalty, an opportunity to take the lead beyond two scores was turned down. In a bold move, Bracknell kicked to touch but failed to convert the line out, the score remained 13-0, well in to the final quarter. This was also the catalyst for Cleve's purple patch, and the pressure mounted. Bracknell's defence held, it was physical and again the hits echoed around the paddock. Cleve's resurgence came to an abrupt end, with a yellow card for a no arms hit at a breakdown, allowing Bracknell to use the numerical advantage to steady the ship.

Ally Walton began to make some ground around the fringes, supported well by his forward pack, opportunities were being created.

With Cleve back at 15, the game was won with an excellent counter. Wide on the right, Tom Field snapped up a loose ball, and made ground, off loading to Ally Walton, he spun out of the first tackle and passed to Ben Hallaways who was on the charge. With plenty to do, Ben beat three desperate tacklers with a hand-off, great footwork and shear pace. After 58 minutes, Bracknell led 18-0, and just had to see out the game.

Cleve finally crossed the Bracknell line in the dying moments, with a well constructed 8, 9 pick and go feeding the winger to score in the corner. This was a well deserved try, for the visitors who contributed to this fixture throughout.

Knockout rugby is all about the result, and Bracknell deserved this win being the better side. The pitch was heavy and difficult, so the winning margin was never going to be high, so an 18-5 win, in these conditions was as convincing as you were going to get.

Bracknell used their entire bench, and all contributed to this win.

The consensus in the post match discussions, concluded this was a workmanlike performance, in difficult conditions, but was not the complete performance. There is more to come from this side and we look forward to draw for the next round with interest and a great deal of confidence.

Finally, a big thanks to all those who made the effort to come and watch the game, the support was well received by the lads.

GO BRFC!