CHINNOR COLTS 12 - 15 BRACKNELL ACADEMY

Big thank you to all the lads and supporters who made the trip to Chinnor on was a perfect Sunday afternoon for our first league game of the campaign.

In recent years Chinnor have provided stiff opposition to the two merging age groups, and we're certainly a big outfit. But as we know big is not always beautiful, and this turned out to be the case.

The early exchanges were full of positivity for Bracknell, with clear dominance in the first scrum and in open play with ball in hand. Whilst this early pressure failed to deliver points, it was clear that the game was there for the taking.

Missed penalties attempts for Bracknell and Chinnor, meant there no early scores but Bracknell had begun to create chances. A missed kick to touch by Chinnor allowed Bracknell's back 3 to attack across field to create a run in but the pass was adjudged to be forward. Another opportunity was lost when a chip through was cleaned up by Chinnor, when exploiting the two man overlap would have bee the right option.

Eventually the Bracknell dominance was rewarded with points when Chinnor infringed under their posts. Jake F converted the penalty and Bracknell had the lead.

More sustained pressure, multiple phases and Chinnors narrow defence created room to spare on the left, and with three wide passes Cameron R had a simple run in. Jake F slotted the conversion.

Bracknell turned around 0 - 10 but I think all agreed that Bracknell had missed some opportunities, and a 10 point lead didn't reflect their dominance.

The 2nd half was a more even affair, perhaps with Bracknell now playing up the hill, and taking time to settle as the substitutes were rotated in. Credit to Chinnor though who began to play with more aggression and made better use of their superior size. This was evident at an attacking line out 10 minutes in to the 2nd half when they caught and drove the ball through the Bracknell pack to score. The conversion was missed to leave leading 5 - 10.

Bracknell reacted well to the Chinnor score and made ground up field, where Cameron latched on to a loose ball and charged to the line from 30m out. The conversion was missed, but Bracknell lead 5 - 15 with 20 minutes to play.

Solid defence, forwards doing the hard yards and backs creating opportunities saw out the remainder of the game, with the result never in doubt until the dying moments when Chinnor broke the Bracknell line to score, with the resultant conversion bringing them within a score of Bracknell at 12 - 15.

Composure at the restart was required, and the ball was regained well by Bracknell to close out a tense final minute.

The win was well deserved, and their was much to be positive about with the emerging colts team, as you would expect at this point in the season there are some 'work-ons'.

Well done lads, and see you at training on Wednesday...