After several weeks of tough league and cup matches, we had planned our first away friendly as a team building social, heading west to Chippenham on a coach for some bonding activity. The Colts all wore their outrageous shirts with style on the way, and coach Josh hatched a plan to use all our 28 players through the 4 quarters to best effect.
Bracknell kicked off and immediately were under pressure from Chippenham. A couple of early strikes into our 22 were repelled, and Bracknell's defence stood firm with some great tackling. However, eventually Chippenham strung together a flowing move to their left wing and scored in the corner. Their kicker nailed a great conversion from the touchline in windy conditions, and we were 7-0 down. The first quarter ended with some scrappy play from both teams, and Chippenham managed to bundle the ball over in the left corner again. They nailed another great conversion from out wide and it was 14-0 after the first quarter.
Bracknell changed almost the whole team for the second quarter, and dominated for nearly 10 minutes. We nearly scored on a number of occasions, but couldn't quite make it count. Completely against the run of play, Chippenham managed to secure a turnover, break through our defensive line and ran in a converted try under the posts, to move 21-0 ahead. The second quarter finished more evenly, but the final move of the quarter was another attack from Chippenham which led to a left wing score, and another excellent conversion to reach half-time 28-0 ahead.
Bracknell rolled the changes again, and started the third quarter at great speed, and after multiple phases Lewis scored in the left corner. Fin kept up the high quality kicking from both teams, and we were on the scoreboard at 28-7. Chippenham finished this quarter strongly too, adding a further converted try to lead 35-7. In the 4th quarter, rain interrupted the game and led to some handling errors, and the only score was from Chippenham to finish 42-7.
Casey was voted our man of the match, and proved his credentials by winning the clubhouse challenge against Chippenham's player of the day, and then we headed home on the coach. Some noisy karaoke and singing entertainment was heard by all, and it was great to see the U17s and U18s celebrating together.
Our travelling support was amazing again today, at least as numerous and vocal as the home supporters, with a special mention to the dad's party bus!

by Phil Wells