U18 Colts prosper on a glorious day

A glorious day at Lily Hill Park was enhanced further by a high quality game of rugby between two groups of young men learning their trade in our great sport. This was an educational event, not only for the lads but also for the coaching team and after an enthralling and entertaining spectacle the boys were awarded a hugely promising ‘B+’ for their endeavours.

Both sides fielded large squads on the day, this can be disruptive with multiple and regular changes to the XV, but much of the play throughout the 4 quarters was seamless to the credit of those on the pitch.

The outcome was a much deserved win for an energetic and committed Bracknell team, and much was learnt in the ebb and flow of a fluid fixture, where perhaps the biggest influence was the infamous pitch 2 hill, Bracknell's very own Everest! It’s a hard old slog playing up that hill in the 2nd half, so accumulating points whilst free-wheeling down the hill is a must.

Bracknell kicked with the advantage of the hill against a well organised Ealing XV who's intent was to move the ball to space and attack with real pace, they had strong ball carriers throughout. Head of Rugby, Dan Ap Dafydd had challenged the lads to ‘win the first five yards’ in defence, and this could not be faulted in the 1st half - the defence was aggressive, direct, committed and claustrophobic - Ealing, starved of oxygen, couldn’t string together meaningful phases under such pressure - it was intense.

Bracknell created chances in the 1st quarter with Oscar Jackson coming closest following an excellent box kick from Jamie Brown, however the quarter finished scoreless.

Changes to the starting XV were made, but the momentum and intensity remained. Bracknell’s endeavours were rewarded when Josh Johnson chased and retrieved his own chip over the Ealing defence, Tom Hodge took the ball on from the resultant ruck and Ben Adkins drove over to open the scoring. Oscar Jackson converted and Bracknell led 7-0.

The work rate from the Bracknell forward pack was breathtaking at times, in particular the back row of Ben Clarke, Alex Christopher-Ohrt and Tom Hodge, these guys gave the home team a ‘go forward’ platform to play off - they were the teams base camp.

The Bracknell pressure continued, but Ealing were by no means under the cosh for the entire half. But it was stout and resilient defence that maintained the status quo, and ultimately it was the home side who scored again. The impressive Tom Hodge broke out of the Bracknell 22, the ball was moved wide and kicked long - a kick is only as good as the chase, and the chasers worked hard. Procession was regained, Ben Adkins charged forward ball in hand and gave an audacious out the back pass to Jamie Johnson to score under the posts. Oscar Jackson converted.

Bracknell led 14-0 at half time but now had the lung busting challenge of climbing their Everest - was 14 points going to be a sufficient enough cushion?

At half time Dan Ap Dafydd gave his final instructions, in particular looking for more fight on the ground. More changes were made and Bracknell began there ascent ever wary of an Ealing avalanche.

The early exchanges of the half showed that Bracknell literally faced an uphill battle, with Ealing’s hefty runners hitting the line hard. The defence was once again strong, with Matt Bowers making one heroic tackle on his line stopping a player perhaps twice his size in his tracks. As the lads battled hard to resist the Ealing onslaught, the line speed drop - the first five yards were being lost.

Finally the defensive line was breached when Ealing bulldozed over from a close range penalty . Ealing now trailed 14-5.

The pressure continued throughout the half, and with Bracknell working hard in defence, ultimately two well executed catch and drives from five meter line outs, one converted, gave Ealing a 14-17 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Bracknell had demonstrated superb endeavour, plenty of skill and at times had played with real panache. But chasing a game is a very different experience to defending a lead - during this spell the lads lost a degree of composure, plays were forced, and individual decision making went astray - but Academy rugby is meant to be an environment where experience is gained. However, the lads, exhibiting superb mental resolve, clinging tight to their guide ropes slowly and surely made the final push for the summit. Composure and the line speed that served them so well in the earlier exchanges were regained.

It was this pressure that forced a loose pass from Ealing on the halfway line - The excellent Alex Christopher-Ohrt collected the ball on the run and out striped the chasing opposition to run the ball in. Ben Stevens converted quickly, far too quickly - managing the clock is also an art that comes with experience.

Bracknell collected the kick off and managed the final phases before the final whistle closed off what was an fantastically entertaining game of rugby. Bracknell had conquered their Everest and planted a Green, Gold and Black at the summit.

This was a hugely promising and at times gutsy display. The energy and endeavour was impressive - this is an element of the game that is hard to coach and will hold the team in good stead going forward as will the lessons in game management in the final quarter.

Man of the Match = Alex Christopher-Ohrt

Well done lads and here's too another great performance next week against High Wycombe.

Squad on the day:
Joe Pollard, Tim Mercer, Jamie Brown, Ryan Phipps, Joe Baker, Jamie Johnson, Billy Coles, Liam Collins, Oscar Jackson, Matt Bowers, Matt Van Heerde, Josh Johnson, Sam Faulkner, Jack McGee, Harry Baker, Tom Hodge, James d’Orgee, Tom Smith, Ben Clarke, Alex Christopher-Ohrt, Andrew McNeil, Ben Atkins, Dan Phelan, James Taylor, Robbie Robson, Ben Stevens