Following a number of rearrangements, and then Storms Dudley and Eunice, the match that looked likely never to happen finally took place at Lily Hill park in blustery and showery conditions. Marlow were top of OBB Div 2 and guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, and Bracknell Colts A team needed a win or draw to join them.
Our traditional slow start was nowhere to be seen, and we were aggressive and positive from the outset, driving through the Marlow phases and gaining territory. After a couple of early warnings, a Marlow forward was yellow-carded for a high tackle, and we continued to attack, securing a penalty in front of the posts. Liam kicked us into a 3-0 lead, and confidence was high. Marlow's forwards then built a sustained period of pressure, and eventually drove over for a converted try, moving 3-7 into the lead.
The muddy conditions led to lots of handling errors and the play went end to end, before we secured another penalty on 25mins which Liam scored to bring it back to 6-7. Marlow then scored a penalty with almost the next play to go 6-10 ahead, and then as half time approached Bracknell were awarded another penalty on the Marlow 10m line. Liam confidently struck it between the posts and the half time score was 9-10.
Bracknell had the advantage of the pitch one slope for the second half, and the game became attritional for the first 10-15 mins. The Bracknell defensive line was dealing with every Marlow attack, but suddenly a gap appeared on the halfway line and Marlow scored with a breakaway try to go 9-17 ahead. Bracknell responded well, building pressure and gaining possession and territory, and another Liam penalty brought us back to 12-17. However, Marlow again struck back immediately to stretch 12-20 ahead, and that ended up as the final score.
The ref and all the coaches commented on our monumental effort against an unbeaten top of the table side, and the Marlow coaches commented that it was their toughest league match of the year. When we factor in a number of players missing due to half term and/or injury, and a number of Colts playing out of their normal position, this was a really positive performance in difficult conditions, even if the final result wasn't in our favour.

by Phil Wells