Bracknell lose out in a duel of contrasting styles

After a number of sedentary fixtures both teams approached this friendly in desperate need of a challenging encounter, with league and cup games on the horizon and there was no doubt that both teams would benefit from this highly enjoyable cut & trust bout.

This was a duel of contrasting styles, 'Rapier v Broadsword', 'Gladius v Claymore', it was a classic that could have gone either way with threatening attacks, the parry, riposte and counter-riposte throughout.

Right from the whistle, Bracknell set out their intentions to play a structured game using their big forwards and hard-running midfield to hit the10/12 channel hard, sucking in defenders before attacking wide against a fragmented defence. This direct bludgeoning style reaped an early reward, with space out wide, the ball was moved quickly to Luke Fisher (returning after a long lay-off) who strong-armed himself into the corner. The conversion was missed.

Horsham's riposte was immediate. A quick attack up field allowed the Horsham midfield to find a gap between two Bracknell defenders, fast feet and a turn of pace took them beyond the defensive line to score under the posts. With the conversion Horsham led 7-5.

Supremacy at the set piece gave Bracknell the platform to structure phases and advance along the 'piste', looking for the opportunity to strike. The pressure told, Horsham infringed and from the attacking line out Tom Furmedge charged around the contact area to bulldoze over. Oli Radford converted, to extent the lead to 7-12.

On 10 minutes Horsham showed their counter-attacking style, it was rapier fast. Bracknell had continued to dominate, but a midfield knock-on was snapped up and moved wide with two accurate passes wide to the electric winger who sprinted clear to score - the pace and precision of Horsham with ball in hand was to trouble Bracknell for much of the game which was now finely balanced at 12-12.

The game was high-energy throughout, both sets of boys working hard in every aspect of the game - in physicality Bracknell had the edge, but Horsham outshone them at times with ball in hand. Bracknell's advantage of size should have disrupted Horsham at the breakdown, but all to often they didn't compete with sufficient ferocity, thus allowing Horsham to recycle ball quickly.

Slow ball = organised defences, whereas quick ball = dis-organised defences, this was why Horsham worked so hard to attack with real pace, which troubled & stretched Bracknell, they were now under pressure.

On 18 minutes the try of the day was scored by Horsham. Attacking Bracknell from 30m out, space was identified behind the tackle line - an exquisitely weighted kick turned the Bracknell blitz, the ball was secured by the advancing Horsham winger who was cut down by Luke Fisher but the midfield support was on hand to receive the offload and run it in wide out. The try was converted, the home side led 19-12.

Bracknell continued to make ground with direct and well structured attacks, but Horsham competed hard at the breakdown to slow their progress. Bracknell need to work hard on supporting ball carriers and removing threats quickly at the breakdown, one for the training paddock.

Josh Knight prominent & combative, went close bouncing two, before losing the ball over the line, but it was Horsham who stretched their lead with another attack from deep tacking them in to the red zone - Horsham had pace in abundance and moved the ball well to exploit this advantage. Bracknell's scrag defence was good all day, and the attack was held up short, the subsequent 'pick & goes' repelled with some force, before Horsham changed the point of attack to a poorly defended blindside to score, this is a regular point of weakness the coaching team should exam.
Now trailing 24-12, Bracknell's counter-riposte was swift. Some excellent pressure was applied to a Horsham defensive line-out, Sam Dunks charged through and an alarmed Horsham 10 knocked on, James Roberts diving on the loose ball to complete the 1st half scoring, and reduce the arrears to 24-17.

Horsham had kept the ball alive well, the off load, accurate and pacy counters prominent whilst they looked to disrupt Bracknell's quick ball at every breakdown. Bracknell's physicality had been good, driving phases forward, but all to often quick ball became slow as carriers became isolated or the clear out not sufficiently destructive. Defenders were dispatched at times with aggressive ball carrying and the second hit needed a secondary player to latch on to gain yards. Still searching for the best line up, the backs had worked, carried and defended hard but looked to lack real penetration or guile at times, this was to change later in the second half.

The 2nd half started in similar vain, with both sides in ascendancy at times, before two quick fire Horsham penalties were taken quickly (not perhaps entirely on the mark!), and the Bracknell line was breached. The try was converted and Horsham led 31-17.

During this attack, Horsham's Jordan Prior suffered a suspected broken ankle, and we hope the initial diagnosis is less serious and he makes a speedy recovery. A big thanks Bracknell's Sports Therapist James Hay who dealt with the situation expertly.

Whilst Jordan was being attended to, the game was moved to an adjacent pitch, and it was Bracknell who settled best and scored again with a gem of a try. The midfield had been reset, and looked balanced, demonstrated by executing perfectly a set move creating space out wide which was exploited by Callum Baker who ran it in and dotted down. The conversion was a difficult one, made more so by the lack of a kicking tee - unfazed Oil Radford casually converted with a well timed drop goal to secure the extra points - Bracknell trailed 31-24 with 15 minutes to go.

Once again the counter was swift and familiar - quick recycled ball, accurate passes released the Horsham pace out wide to extend the lead to 36-24. This was followed by an archetypal 14 pointer, James Roberts charged down the Horsham blindside for what seemed to be an excellent individual try, but he inadvertently over ran the somewhat faded dead ball line and the opportunity was missed. The subsequent 22 drop out was taken quickly and chased hard, a fortunate fly hack upfield resulted in a foot race which was won by Horsham. This was the final score, Horsham had won a hard fought and well natured encounter 41-24.

There was much that was good in this game, and a few work-ons which are all correctable prior to the next few weeks of competitive fixtures. Selection will be difficult as there is some much competition for places throughout.

Finally, It was a pleasure to travel to Horsham RFC where the hospitality was excellent and we look forward to receiving them at Lily Hill Park in 2017, and we hope to see Jordan Prior up on his feet, fit & well once again.