After narrow defeats in the league in the last 2 weeks, hopes were high for starting our run of 3 friendlies before Christmas with a win. Basingstoke were the visitors to Lily Hill Park, with their squad missing players who were representing Hants RFC, and Bracknell Colts were missing Max and Liam who were representing Berks RFC v Dorset & Wilts.
We played downhill in the first half and started very strongly. Multiple phases drove towards the Basingstoke try line, and we won an attacking scrum. Ruben picked up from the back and drove over to score, and Louis was unlucky to shave the upright with the conversion, but we were 5-0 to the good. Basingstoke recovered to dominate the middle of the first half, and scored in the right corner to level at 5-5. Bracknell had the balance of play for the rest of the half, but handling errors prevented any further scores, so it remained 5-5 at the interval.
Basingstoke enjoyed the pitch one slope for the second half, and hit Bracknell hard from the outset, scoring within 5 mins in the right corner to lead 5-10. Bracknell then spent most of the rest of the match in the Basingstoke half, and after forward pressure Alfie drove over from close range to make it 10-10. The final action of the half was a late burst from Basingstoke into the Bracknell half, and they won a penalty just inside the Bracknell 22 towards the left side. The Basingstoke kicker hadn't had his kicking boots on for most of the match and dropped this one short as well, Bracknell cleared the lines and we shook hands on a 10-10 draw.
Some positives for head coach Tubs Barrington to build on, but also lots of errors that need to be cut out - same story as from last week's match! Tougher challenges ahead with friendlies away at Camberley next week and then home v Chippenham on 19th December, and then it will be the well-earned Christmas break.

by Phil Wells