Reading Abbey U18b 15 - 31 Bracknell U18b

Rose Hill is known to be sloping, open, invariably windy, but always welcoming. These prevailing conditions must be tamed as much as the opposition as they will influence the result. Today Bracknell's colts made up predominately by U17's were not disappointed and kicked-off playing up the hill into a stiff chilling breeze.

As has been a feature this season, physicality dominated the early exchanges, both sides seeking a weak area to attack. Abbey used the slope and wind to their advantage, kicking long and chasing hard, but in ones and twos, giving the excellent Julian Guy the opportunity to weave upfield and return the punts with interest.

The front fives went at each other like rutting stags, Sam Dunks prominent, with Dan Roux and Phil Harrigan doing the hard yards. Ultimately, Bracknell's incursions upfield were followed by unforced errors, and long kicks back down field.

Abbey made the early advantage tell on 14 minutes, attacking on the Bracknell line, whilst they lost the ball in contact the Bracknell clearance kick was charged down, the ball being snapped up quickly by the Abbey wing who dived in to the corner. Abbey led 5-0 deservedly so.

Bracknell responded well, and the lead was short lived. Pounding the Abbey line, space was found out wide. The ball moved quickly across the Bracknell backline, the final pass putting Tom Crawshaw into space and an apparent walking in. This was too easy for Tom, who decided to play nipple tennis with the ball, this juggle and the cover defence almost cost the opportunity, but Tom managed to dot the ball down, enveloped by Abbey players. The conversion was missed.

Lacking a cutting edge in the backs, or the option of kicking long Bracknell relied on their forwards to run hard and muscle their way forward. There's no better ball carrier than Josh (The Bosh) Knight, whose aggressive ball carrying is always a sight to behold. Again Abbey used their kicking game to relieve the pressure and on 28 minutes Bracknell failed to deal with a high bouncing ball deep in their 22. This indecision allowed the Abbey chaser to react quickest and step his way to the line. The conversion was missed, and Abbey led at half time 10-5.

Bracknell were in touch, but the wind and the powder puff ball had made it difficult to play with real adventure. Short passes, direct running and the cultured boot of Callum Pearce were going to win this game.

A few heavy weight changes in the Bracknell pack began to turn the screw, and provide the platform for Callum to kick long with great intelligence. Now playing deep in Abbeys half, Jake Findlay, made some ground. A chip over the advancing defence was secured by the Bracknell chasers, Patrick Fitzgerald found himself in space and danced his way to the line. The Patrick step & shuffle is becoming a feature, Strictly Come Dancing awaits this little star. The kick at goal bounced off the upright, so the scores were now level at 10-10.

With the ball wobbling in the wind, handling with width became difficult, stifling any real expansion, and at times making the back lines look indecisive and sterile. However, playing deep in the Abbey half, Bracknell were able to restrict and limit Abbeys 'get outs'. The pressure told with two kickable penalties being awarded to Bracknell. Oli Radford struck them true, and Bracknell led 10-16.

With 15 minutes to play, Bracknell had begun to dominate, and execute the kicking game well. As reported many times before, a long kick is only as good as the chase. There's is no better exponent than Ben Hallaways, his energy and pace are perfect to hunt the ball down deep in enemy territory. Ben created the next score chasing a long kick down field, like a Cheetah in full stride, eyes fixed on his prey, he pounced on the fated Abbey defender and went for the jugular stripping and offloading the ball. Patrick was set free down the blindside, with footwork that Anton Du Beke would have been proud of, he stepped two and won the foot race to the line. Bracknell led 10-21.

Now in the ascendancy, Bracknell became very direct, with Josh the Bosh leading the way, supported well by James Roberts who was outstanding. Tom Furmedge jarred more teeth when Abbey did have the ball, and scrummaged well. The next score wasn't far away. Playing a number of phases around the corner, the Bracknell forwards ran hard and gained ground closing in on the Abbey line. Two passes in the final 5 meters saw Euan grasp a quick fire pass meant for Luke Fisher, and drove over. The conversion was missed, and Bracknell led 10-26. Luke didn't have to wait long for his opportunity.

After a period of Abbey pressure, the Bracknell line was cleared by a heft thump upfield by Ben Hallaways. His chased his own kick, and once again devoured the forlorn prey. A desperate Abbey kick was collected by Julian Guy who ran it back, moving the ball to Jake Findlay who executed a 2 on 1 perfectly. Luke Fisher was released in to space, but there were obstacles to clear between him and the line. With the flair of 'Rule the World' in yesterday's Grand National he cleared those hurdles and crossed the line first. Bracknell led 10-31.

The final few minutes saw Abbey capitalise on a penalty awarded for a high tackle. Taking a quick tap close to the line, Abbey crossed the whitewash to score the final points of the day.

This was a high energy competitive fixture in difficult handling conditions. Both sides played with really heart and commitment, with Bracknell edging the physical battle and kicking game.

Special mentions for Jack Whitelaw, Matan and Cam who, all put in a tremendous shift.

Finally, many congratulations to Tom Willis of Reading Abbey (a spectator today), who made his debut for England U17 recently. We have had the pleasure of paying against Tom for many years and Sen him develop in to a fine rugby player, so well done young man.

GO BRFC