Brentwood U18 25 - 12 Bracknell U18

What a day, what a game. There were two winners, Brentwood and of course rugby. Our newly found friends ran out deserved winners against an injury ravaged Bracknell team who battled hard, and almost turned the game with a second half surge and two quick fire tries.

Cup ties at this stage of a National Cup Competition are rarely straight forward, and this was no different. Two well matched teams battled it out with contrasting styles, the forward Bracknell's power play and broken field runners against Brentwood's midfield finesse and excellent kicking game.

The playing surface was immaculate, the hill balanced by the strong breeze, the sun was out and a vast crowd gathered, the scene was set and an epic cup tie ensued.

The early exchanges were fierce, the breakdown competitive, both teams attempted to play to space. Bracknell had the edge the forward battle, Brentwood's countered with midfield creativity, and illusive running lines. It was clear, the game was going to won or lost in the midfield. In this area, Bracknell's cause was hindered by the early loss of defensive linchpin Patrick Fitzgerald after 5 minutes, he likes nothing more than cutting down the opposition like a forester felling trees, he was missed.

Brentwood started strongest, pushing hard encouraged by the superb home touchline support. Bracknell had their moments in the first quarter, stringing together some power play plays of their own, stretching the Brentwood defence, but ultimately, with the wind at their backs and some sublime kicking from hand, Brentwood cleared their lines well. It is well known that Bracknell lack a kicking game, that can keep the pack marching forward. Brentwood's siege gun boots were accurate, long and demoralising. On many occasions throughout, Bracknell through their structured play advanced up field, doing the hard yards, only to see the ball thumped back over their heads. The hard yards were lost.

After such a kick on 17 minutes the deadlock was broken. Brentwood won a scrum on the Bracknell 22, moving the ball left across the backline, the 10 wrapped around his midfield and fed his winger. The midfield holding lines worked perfectly, the Brentwood winger Alex Wilson cruised in untouched. Doing the simple things well, a coach’s dream. The conversion was missed, and Brentwood led 5-0.

Possession became a rare commodity for Bracknell, as Brentwood gained sufficient parity up front to give their slick backs the opportunities to attack and penetrate. The tackling display was immense at times, led by Tom Furmedge who’s teeth jarring, well timed hits have become a feature of his game, however other 1st up tackles were missed, these can define tight games. Brentwood to cross the gain line with regularity, but the Bracknell ‘scrag’ defence held strong.

Bracknell’s limited incursions in to enemy territory, did cause problems, in particular Josh Knight and Tom Field's stake like strikes into the heart of Brentwood's midfield and the broken field running of Michael Hardcastle, and Ally Walton, but all too often the support was not to be seen on their shoulders, attacks faltered. One such incursion resulted in desperate Brentwood defence, a loose ball popped out from the contacts area, Kieran Brown reacted first but was driven in to touch moments before touching down. The pressure was relieved from the line out with another monstrous wellie from a cultured boot.

To compound Bracknell’s problems, Tom Field their captain & talisman succumbed to his hamstring injury, and he was soon followed off the paddock by key backs Grant Coates who had made ground with the ball in hand and free running Elliott Maddison. Elliott was able to return, but the backline now had a makeshift look about it.

Half time arrived, Brentwood led 5-0. Bracknell had been outplayed for the majority of the half by a very competent outfit, who’s midfield had looked dangerous throughout, Bracknell were still in touch but would need steely resolve to claw their way back in to the game. The half time talk was about execution of 1st up tackles, over-committing to the breakdown and defensive organisation.

The half started with Bracknell making more unforced handling errors, or was it the claustrophobic Brentwood defensive effort, who’s line speed was impressive. It was off one of these errors that led to a loose ball being picked up by a Brentwood Josh Stannard, he was caught short as he charged forward, but the support was a plenty, the offload went to hand and the score was completed under the posts by Jack Richards. Sam Cappaert converted to increase the lead to 12-0.

Another team may have buckled at this point, but Bracknell's resolve was strong, cup ties of this quality will ebb and flow, and Bracknell raised their game, it was their time.

Hammering away at the Brentwood line, something had to give. Ally Walton had been snipping around the fringes all day, and after a couple of forward drives he spotted a gap. With the precision of a surgeons scalpel he sliced open the Brentwood fringe defence and touched down, it was a clinical finish. The conversion was kicked by Jake Findlay. Bracknell were 12-7 down, but not out.

They continued to pressure the Brentwood line, this was a purple patch. Again Ally Walton reacted quickest as the ball popped out of an attacking 5m scrum, he dotted down wide out. Jake struck the conversion well, but the wind pushed it just wide. The scores were now level at 12-12. Game on.

The restart was a seminal. Had Bracknell collected it and continued the power plays up field, giving opportunities to their open field runners, they may have scored again, they were in the ascendancy. But the tide was about to turn again.

The restart was good, the chase even better, but the catch was simply exceptional. Rising above everyone, the Brentwood Sam Cappaert knocked the ball forward, and managed to recollect it on his way to the floor, a superb piece of handling. The ball was recycled quickly, and moved in-field with two passes. Hitting the ball at pace, attacking the space, the Brentwood 13 glided through the Bracknell fragmented backline, drawing the last defender, he passed to Pollinger who ran the ball in. A great response, the momentum had swung again. Brentwood led 17-12.

This was a classic example of the difference between the two sides, line breaks. Bracknell had plenty of finishers on the park, but lacked the creativity to bust holes and release them, they were lateral in attack and offered no real threat. No time or space was offered by the home team, opportunities were hard earned. There are 3 types of players, the big lads to do the hard yards, creators and finishers, Brentwood had them all. This isn't a criticism of the visitors, Bracknell had lost the balance in their backline early on, and finished the game with two scrum halves, one centre and 4 wide players.

Brentwood continued to control the closing stages, with long racking kicks making Bracknell run from deep. A kick in field is only as good as the kick chase, the Bracknell back three found themselves under pressure with little room to counter. The pressure began to tell, and a Sam Cappaert kicked a penalty to give Brentwood an 8 point cushion, at 20-12. Bracknell now had to chase the game, taking risks, which ultimately gave Brentwood's Pollinger the opportunity to complete the scoring with the final play of the game. With the conversion missed, Brentwood finished deserved winners 25-12.

Bracknell had been manful in their effort, the forwards magnificent and destructive at the set piece, the backs had battled and tackled hard. Perhaps it wasn't the best performance, but credit has to go to Brentwood for pressurising Bracknell in to mistakes, inspired by the home support they played some fine rugby.

It was a fine hard fought cup tie played in the best spirit throughout. Nothing was left on the park, no quarter given, respect was gained.

If the game was an epic, so was the post-match celebrations. The atmosphere was intoxicating, as it had been during the game, with a live band, drums and air horns. What was also great to see the old traditions of enjoying a few beers with your opposition so strong in both groups of young men. The hospitality was immense, bromances cemented and a big thank you must go to Brentwood for that. We are now your biggest fans, and wish you all the best in the next round.

The final thanks must go to the travelling support, including senior members of the Executive Committee, you too were Magnificent.