U18 Academy progress to 4th round of National Colts Cup

An impeccably observed minutes silence was the precursor to a highly competitive and enthralling U18 National Cup fixture. The intensity and physicality throughout was matched by the quality of the skills on show, this was a day for a fully rounded, focused and committed performance against a big home team who had pace to burn out wide.

Bracknell impressed throughout, the variety and maturity of their structured phases created chances that were finished with surgical precision - ultimately this was to be the difference - Keynsham had their chances, but could only complete once. Their heavy runners carried hard around the fringes and in to the midfield, they attacked with pace out wide, but each attack faltered due to an outstanding and claustrophobic Bracknell defensive effort - there are some big hearts in this side.

Bracknell led at half time through two well constructed scores. On 10mins Michael Hardcastle glided past the Keynsham midfield, and chipped the cover defence - the chase was on and Callum Baker, perhaps the quickest man on the park, joined that chase with electric pace and a degree of patience as he waited for the ball to sit up, the ball complied and Callum raced under the posts. Oli Radford converted. If this was a smash and grab try, the second was a gem - whilst not all handle the ball, it was a classic, as all 15 player contributed.

A well struck high ball on the home side's 15 was knocked just outside the 22, the chase had been good. From the resultant scrum the outstanding Scotty broke right and carried over the gain line. Danny Ramsey at 9 switched play back in field, two quick fire wrecking ball carries into the heart of the Keynsham midfield sucked in numbers, and the space out wide was recognised - two passes wide put Patrick Fitzgerald into space, he stepped and kinked through to the line but was held up short - Bracknell's extra numbers at the breakdown secured the ball and Tom Hodge drove over to score. Bracknell deserved their 0-12 lead.

This score illustrated a conclusive difference between the sides - Bracknell backs willingness to secure the ball at the breakdown and the pace of their loose forwards gave them numbers and continuity - the back row of Scotty, Hallaways and Hodge is well balanced, destructive and quick, their work rate exhausting. These thoroughbreds were well complemented by the honest and equally destructive endeavours of the front five, they are the Shire Horses of this team, ploughing furrows through the opposition all day long - the dynamism of Collins, Knight, Furmedge, Johnson, Whitelaw constantly gained and stole yards with and without the ball.

However, Bracknell's lost momentum and control perhaps twice, firstly when Hodge and Whitelaw suffered a nasty clash of heads, and took no further part in the game - it took a while for Bracknell to readjust and settle again.

Bracknell made changes, some enforced others tactical and started the 2nd period in a similar vain to the 1st - dominance at the line out, which was precise and impressive all day plus a solid scrummage created the platform to attack - opportunity knocked - Tom Furmedge crashed over from a Sam Dunks' offload, but the referee disallowed the score (for crossing we believe). It wasn't long before Bracknell went close again, with a powerful charge down the right beating all comers, only to be forced into touch just short - the pressure was now on the home hooker - the ball was deemed not straight, from the attacking scrum Bracknell chose to attack the wide channels and again the pace of the Bracknell forwards gave them the extra numbers and Harry Baker the space to burst his way over - the try was unconverted, the lead extended to 0-17

The Bracknell midfield were as precise, tenacious, cunning and persistent as artic foxes testing the opposition with holding lines, solid passing, intelligent kicking from Radford & Kieran Brown whilst their excellent line speed dealt with the bullocking runs of the Keynsham forwards right up to the 21st minute of the 2nd period, when the tackle line was finally crossed. The home side made the most of the opportunity, moved the ball wide and scored a well deserved unconverted try.

The entire bench was now on, this game was won by the collective, and the extra quality off the bench maintained the quality and continuity when Josh Knight, practically unstoppable on a charge, barged his way over leaving a trail of destruction behind him - This was the final score, but Bracknell had had other chances - Jame Taylor intercepted and looked to be away, before a tweaked hamstring slowed his progress, and Luke Fisher surfed the touchline only to be denied in the corner.

The game was now all but over, and the composure, focus and precision drifted away in the final 5 minutes leading to a number of poor decisions allowing the home side to relieve the pressure, before the final whistle finished a fantastic advert for youth rugby.

This was a great performance against a big uncompromising team with quality throughout, but Bracknell had the edge at key moments - the line speed was intense which forced mistakes, Scotty was immense over the ball securing at least 4 turnovers, the extra numbers at the breakdown disrupted Keynshams ball and their progress. The variety and structure constantly asked questions, with a solid platform at the set piece providing quality ball to play off, and pace out wide to make ground and finish chances off - all in all very pleasing.

Yes there are work-ons, this was by no means perfect, so there is more to come from this emerging team.

A huge thanks to Keynsham, for a hard fought, honest game, decided on fine margins but played in the right spirit throughout - the post match hospitality was fantastic and the coach journey home was epic and memorable - particularly after a session of 'One Question, and One Question only' in which the parents on the coach learnt some interesting facts and admissions about their boys!!

Go BRFC!