Colts show proud moments in the Lily Hill sun

The sun was shining at Lily Hill Park today, so conditions were perfect for for a free flowing and entertaining game of rugby between two sides settling in to their skins at this early stage of the season. Yes a 40 points to 7 win was resounding, but with the opening league fixture of the season many weeks away, the performance remained far more important than the result.

At times, but not entirely, the Bracknell performance was stuttering and unforced errors cost them dear, the price on the day was lost continuity - continuity builds pressure, phases & progress into the opposition strike zone - without continuity a team will stutter and perhaps not fulfil their potential on the day.

There was much to be proud of today, some high class moments, moments that led to scoring opportunities and well constructed try's. There were also some great individual displays, but rugby is a team of 15 players, and all 15 need to be focused and in the zone to create the complete display. If players drift in and out of the games consciousness, it means teammates need to cover gaps, to do the job of others - performance will suffer - also indiscipline and a lack of respect for the officials will only end one way, and that's penalties against and yards or points lost. There were many lessons learnt today by players and the coaching team alike.

Playing away from the club house it didn't take Bracknell long to show their superiority over an energetic High Wycombe (HW) XV.

On 8 minutes Bracknell progressed through a series of structured phases upfield which resulted with a penalty line out 5m out. The catch and drive was executed well and Struan Pinkerton driving over from short range. Joe Pollard nudged the conversion over from wide out and Bracknell led 7-0.

It was clear that Bracknell were by far the better team, but the stuttering began, the half was laced with errors, poor ball retention in the main, with yards and continuity lost - this kept HW in the game.

Bracknell extended their lead when Harry Baker tapped a quick penalty on the HW 22 and drove toward the line - the support was good, creating quick ball which allowed the excellent Alex Robinson to drive over. The conversion was issued and Bracknell led 12-0.

Frustration grew as the error count rattled up and inevitably the erratic defensive structures allowed HW to build an attack that resulted in a converted try which reduced the Bracknell lead to 12-7. Following a yellow card a piece the half petered out.

This had been a stop/start half, that lacked urgency in most departments, in particular line speed which would need to improve.

The 2nd half was a significant improvement, but at times was still a polarised display - there was much good, but indiscipline and perhaps laziness from some prevented this from being a stellar half.

The line speed however had improved, demonstrated expertly early in the half by Matt Van Heerde who terrorised the HW midfield into spilling the ball - James Taylor also pressing hard, picking the ball off his bootlaces and charged forward carrying defenders with him. As James went to ground, he offloaded to Matt Van Heerde who rode the tackle to score. Ben Stevens converted for a 19-7 lead.

With 15 minutes to go Bracknell now began to hit their straps. Josh Johnson ran a wayward kick from HW back with huge amounts of interest, he feed Tim Cato who made ground with Alex Robinson - Alex offloaded to Tom Hodge on the charge - this what we all wanted to see, continuity going forward - Tom Hodge went to ground short of the line, and Ben Cotton picked and drove over. Ben Stevens converted to extend the Bracknell lead to 26-7.

The next try was again created by line speed, winning the 1st 5 yards - the hit by Tom Hodge gave Alex Robinson the opportunity steel the turnover. The ball was moved two passes to Ben Stevens who stepped his way around the HW wide man and surfed the touchline to score from 40m out. Ben converted his own try. Bracknell led 33-7.

Alex Robinson collected the restart and made ground, Struan Pinkerton carried hard and continued the progress upfield. With excellent vision, the backs realised the HW backline was narrow, and move the ball wide to Tim Cato who outstripped the HW cover and scored under the posts. Ben Stevens complete the scoring and Bracknell won 40-7.

A resounding win without hitting your straps is to be applauded and the sign of a good side in the making. The post match talk may have appeared harsh, but we are striving to fulfil the potential of this squad by setting ourselves high standards. There are 3 attributes that makes a great rugby player - Command of core skills, high levels of fitness and mental strength - today, for one or two the latter was missing, they lost focus - it's easily done in the heat of battle when things are not firing on all cylinders. We have the first two attributes in abundance throughout the squad, so we will continue to work on mindset and performances will grow and winning the crucial fixtures will be our by product.

Big thanks to Julian Rainsford, arguably the best ref in Berkshire, for taking charge today and dealing well with some unwelcome back-chat - Take note guys as this unacceptable indiscipline will cost you yards, points and even tight games if your not careful…

Well done lads, see you later in the week where will prepare for Reading Abbey at home next weekend.