Rugby was the winner & BRFC!

After the disappointment of a cup exit last weekend, Sunday was a welcome opportunity to break away from the pressures of competitive rugby and enjoy a game played with freedom and in the true spirit of rugby. This fixture is an exhibition match against returning players and those who have progressed into the seniors, it fits perfectly into the clubs strategy of sustainability and player retention.

Only once have the returning old boys lost to the current academy a team that contained Academy Head Coach Dan Gyles, so 'The Omen'(s) where looking good when the Academy took an early lead in the opening exchanges. The early pressure was from the Academy, showing some real intensity and purpose - matching the physicality of the older opposition was going to be the defining factor, if they achieved that the extra unit and familiarity would do the rest for them - the pressure resulted in a penalty line out and a perfectly executed catch and drive, Josh Knight was the beneficiary. 'First Blood' to the Academy, the conversion was missed so the Academy led 5-0.

It is always great to have the returning old boys back at the club, but one or two were now sucking air through every pore, others now realised it was game on. There were also sub-plots throughout this fixture, none more so than at hooker - Bradley Walters, who the previous day had started for the 1st XV verses the emerging force that is Josh Knight, this could be quite a battle for the 1st XV no. 2 shirt in years to come - the first contact was brutal.

'The good, the bad and the ugly' littered the old boys early performance, and there was a reliance on Nathan Crows hard running lines, his display was impressive and as destructive as 'The Terminator', bouncing tacklers with ease - he is a 'Fantastic Beast' who certainly 'Silenced the Lambs'. His charges upfield gave the Old Boys territory and the opportunity for the free running illusive talents of Connell Watterson and Elliott Maddison to carve open the Academy defence. Elliott burst through, and the with the Academy's last man 'Home Alone', he stepped under the posts. Jake Findlay converted and the Old Boys led 5-7

Nathan continued to dominate, although Matt Murphy had his number on one occasion with a superb tackle - this epitomised the Academy's spirit on the day, putting bodies on the line - they were by no means out of this fixture and had plenty of drives up field themselves.

However it was the Old Boys who scored next, close to half time with some soft hands putting Julian Guy in to the corner - The conversion was missed and at half time the Old Boys led 5-12.

There were close on 50 lads, current or former Bracknell Academy players on show, which is a wonderful vindication of the Academy ethics and process - it is working - many have featured in the senior set up and 6 have 1st XV experience, there is a desire, a warmth, fondness, endearment that attracts these lads back to Bracknell RFC, in fact you could say it's 'Love Actually'.

The large numbers allowed the coaching teams to chop & change the teams, rest players were necessary and share the experience.

Early in the 2nd period 'The Crow' opened up the Academy defence once again, he was brought down short and Callum Russell burrowed through the ruck to score. Jake Findlay converted to extend the led to 5-19.

One of the traditions of this annual fixture is that the Academy coaches have the opportunity to run out with their team. Gyles, Philips, Turner and Slade all crossed the whitewash. Bryce Philips and Matt Turner, the Academy's very own 'Dads Army', gave the lads a masterclass in hoodwinking (cheating is to strong a term!) the referee - it slowed the Old Boys progress and the Academy see back in the game.

Kieran Brown was now at 10 and brought some fluency to their game - 'Ben-Hur' Stephenson was now at 15 where he can use his free running style which means at times he can be a 'Lethal Weapon' - The Academy backs now began to trouble the Old Boys as they chased the game. But the Old Boys weren't a spent force and the 'Men in Black' had their chances. Matan Sayegh, 'The French Connection', was now on and was prominent - one lung-busting charge up field faltered just short - had he seen Sam ThunderHolt on his outside the opportunity could have been 'Taken' - c'est la vie...

Moments later Jake Findlay had his 'Nightmare before Christmas' - following a missed timed wrap around in the Academy midfield the ball was kicked through, Jake won 'The Chase' and only had to dot the ball down, but he knocked it on over the line. Had 'Pee-Wee's Big Adventure' to 'Sin City' the night before been his 'Downfall'?

Josh Knight was now back on having swapped shirts with Dan Gyles - it was more like a wing suit - but his re-introduction and Scotty's strength with ball in hand meant the Academy crossed the gain line - this led to the final score of the game. Using Josh as the dummy runner, the ball was moved through the hands to Callum Baker who hit the line like 'Forest Gump', he used his 'Speed' and 'Happy Feet' to weave his way to the line. Oli converted, but the Old Boys had won 12-19.

This was a highly entertaining game, laced with exceptional skill but real endeavour from those to whom the oval ball has been 'Alien' for a while. On the final whistle 'Serenity' was restored and the lads came together to enjoy and evening of fun in the tradition of the game.

A huge thank you to Paul Smith and Tony Jell for returning to run the Old Boys and a congratulations to Bryce and Morgan Philips who played together for the first time as 'Father and Son'.

Go BRFC!