With a large contingent of the Bracknell Academy squad away on County duty, Sunday was an opportunity for the wider squad to play a friendly fixture with Grove 18's.

The match-day squad was predominantly an U17's team bolstered by 3 U18's, so the teams were well matched and the end result was a reflection of that equality. Bracknell also welcomed back Ben Hallaways and Ewan Meers for their first games of the season.

Grove started well, making good use of there superior size ball carriers to attack around the fringes. Initially, Bracknell coped well, if the tackling was a too high at times, but eventually this pressure began to create opportunities for the quick and hard running Grove back line. Bracknell had started with an abundance of wingers in the back line, and this showed in their defensive line speed and organisation in the early stages.

The Grove back three attacked the fragmented Bracknell defensive out wide on three occasions in the first 15 minutes, and should have scored three times, but the final pass was knocked forward on each occasion. The last of which resulted in Grove penalty on the far right 5 meters out, for offside. Bracknell then committed the cardinal sin and switched off, turning their backs allowing a simple quick tap and one pass to put the Grove winger in the corner. The try was converted by the Grove full back, who had a exquisite boot.

This set the tone for the next 15 to 20 minutes, Bracknell had switched off mentally, and began making basic errors, in particular allowing Grove to dominate the contact area. Bracknell tackled high, ball carriers became isolated, hammers were run to narrow, and the energy appeared to drained out of the team momentarily.

Grove big ball carriers exploited this with some strong running up field, breaking the gain line, two superb offloads created the continuity to maintain a move and this phase of play was completed with a second try left of the posts. The conversion was surprisingly missed.

Bracknell survived the remained of the half, but turned around 0-12, to a competent Grove team who deserved their lead.

As planned the bench was brought on. The message at half time was to focus on good execution of the basics, improving the contact areas and tackling low.

Bracknell started the half well, and the general play from both sides continually ramped up as the half progressed. The decision making improved, and Bracknell began to play with the energy and intelligence that was missing in the 1st half. A spark was needed to complete the resurgence and that was provided by Aljay Johnson, with a storming run along the right wing. Aljay got outside the defence, handed off a couple of defenders, ran over the Grove full back, Jonah Lomu style and handed off the cover defence to score a memorable individual try. Oli Radford converted well.

Bracknell then had a purple patch, dominating in all areas, with Patrick Fitzgerald and Tom Scott (both on at HT) leading from the front, but the stand out player was James Roberts who has continued the development he has shown over the past few years. This pressure resulted in points once again with Bracknell camped on the Grove line, James ran a hammer, showing great awareness and footwork by attacking the outside shoulder of the Grove 'bodyguard' to drive over for a try. Oli Radford converted well again, and Bracknell were in front for the first time at 14-12.

The final 15 minutes were highly competitive, frantic at times, but well structured with both sides creating opportunities and defending like demons. Bracknell eventually gave away a penalty 35 meters out, right in front of the posts, and this was the opportunity the Grove full back was looking for. The ball was stuck true and sailed through the he middle of the posts. Bracknell were down 14-15, but certainly not out, although ultimately Grove had the better chance to extend the lead in the final minutes. The Bracknell defensive effort late on was phenomenal, and they played themselves out of the danger zone well with some hard running and great work at the breakdown. But working 95 meters upfield was a step to far and Grove secured the victory 14-15.

This was a fantastic game to watch and was throughly enjoyed by all.

James Roberts was awarded Man of the Match.