Bracknell Academy U18 12 - Buckingham Colts U18 3

Buckingham's progression in the earlier rounds of the same competition last season, the exemplary records of both teams, a place in the quarter final and the infamous Lily Hill mud, was the backdrop to this National Colts Cup fixture.

With the challenging conditions underfoot this was always going to be a tightly fought encounter, perhaps dominated by an attritional battle upfront and so it proved with the result in doubt until the final minutes.

Buckingham kicked off playing towards the clubhouse and were awarded the first opportunity to score 3 minutes in with Bracknell over committing at a breakdown and unable to stay on their feet. The sweetly struck penalty dissected the posts and the visitors led 0-3. Buckingham failed to score again in the subsequent 67 minutes. Bracknell's organisation and defensive effort proved to be the defining factor.

Bracknell's lighter forward pack were dominant throughout, disrupting the Buckingham set-piece removing the platform that the visitors lumpy midfield needed to get over the gain line. Perhaps local knowledge, and familiarity of the muddy conditions gave Bracknell the edge, but it was brute force and technical excellence that allowed Bracknell to open their account.

Turning down a shot at goal, Bracknell kicked for the corner and secured the ball with a well drilled line out 10 meters out. The catch and drive was immediate and devastating, Buckingham had no answer to this powerful intrusion, Tom Furmedge touching down. The conversion was missed, Bracknell led 5-3 after 10 minutes.

The power of the Bracknell pack was evident moments later when Buckingham tried to mirror the Bracknell try. The line out was good, but the drive to the line faltered and was reversed, Bracknell had the physical edge.

This was an even and balanced contest, where Buckingham struggled up front, their backs excelled creating a number of chances. Finding some space around the blindside of a ruck, Buckinghams 13 broke the initial tackle and kicked ahead, had is second touch been more cultured, he may have won the race to score, he certainly bent it like Beckham, but straight in to touch. The opportunity was missed.

All games have memorable game changing moments, and the yellow card on 25 minutes which reduced Bracknell to 14 men was certainly one of those moments. Buckingham bombarded the Bracknell line with a barrage of assaults around the fringes, time and again these drives at the line were repelled with ferocious uncompromising defence. Bracknell survived this period of disadvantage. Heroic yes, but this seminal moment was built on well drilled and organised defensive patterns, plus utter belief in the team mates standing shoulder to shoulder in times of adversity. To break this defence down, you'll need to do something pretty special.

At half time Bracknell led 5-3, and the message was simple, retain the ball, cut out the errors and do the basics well. Maybe it was the conditions, but the Bracknell backline had been sterile and stuttering with ball in hand. Predictable running lines are easy to defend, the cutting edge was missing, but defensively they tackled like demons from 9 to 15, against the big, hard running opposition. Bracknell's pack were the supreme force on the day, for once the glamour boys, the fighter pilots who were going to win the day, but to do so they would need the backline to make their tackles and keep them moving forward.

Starting the 2nd half strongly, Bracknell began to turn the screw. The hard yards were done by Cameron Rastall, Josh Knight, Scotty and Matan Sayegh carrying into the heart of the Buckingham defence, Tom Furmedge, Ben Hallaways and Euan Webster the quiet assassins. Tom Field was immense leading from the front, he is surely a future 1st XV captain in the making. This was a day to hit defensive lines hard, and turn defenders with a kicking game. On the whole, boot was put to ball at the right times, it was effective, but more accuracy was required going forward.

The kick is only as good as the chase, and there is no better chaser than Luke Fisher, he'll chase you down like a terrier on vermin control. Territory is won, and a happy pack march forward.

Buckingham did secure some territory, and perhaps squandered another opportunity when an overlap was ignored, vision cannot be coached. But perhaps the best scoring chance fell to the home team, Michael Hardcastle broke out of his 22 and chipped his opposite number, he rounded his man and began his chase to the ball, but a 'last ditch effort' tackle knocked him to the ground and the opportunity was lost.

The next 15 minutes were tense. Dealing with pressure comes with experience. This period was littered with errors, turnovers, missed touches and all manner of mistakes, from both sides, these young players are learning from these pressure cooker situations, old heads are not a luxury in colts rugby.

Ultimately, Bracknell's had the edge physically and perhaps showed better command of the basics in the dying moments. A series of rumbles around the fringes, technically sound and progressive created the opportunity that Ally Walton had been waiting for with patience. He spotted a narrow unmanned blindside 40 meters out. Once he was away there was no stopping Ally, surfing the touchline he glided past the cover to score. Jake Findley converted well from wide out, and the game was out of Buckinghams reach.

Watched by a fantastic and vocal crowd, including 1st team squad members and coaching staff, this was a well received victory.

This group of players have exceeded expectations, and are yet to fully hit their straps. They are the clubs jewel in the crown. Whatever happens in the subsequent rounds, it is clear that the future is bright for Bracknell RFC, provided the club can set achievable and realistic expectations over the forthcoming seasons. This group of outstanding youngsters, and those that follow, can flood the seniors and create a 1st XV squad full of home grown talent.

Many thanks to the referee and the Buckingham team and management who plays a huge part in a wonderful spectacle at Lily Hill this afternoon.

GO BRFC!!!!