With half-term and county call-ups both teams fielded a mixed XV, and for much of this game Marlow's grasp of the basics seemed to be the defining factor, before Jamie Johnson's opportunist try turned the tide and sparked a remarkable recovery.

A big and physical Marlow XV kicked off with the advantage of the slope and a stiff wind on their backs. The opening exchanges were relatively balanced with the exception of the scrum where Bracknell ruled throughout - multiple strikes against the head damaging Marlow's progress.

In recent weeks there has been significant improvements in Bracknell's structured plays, but these attacks are generally stifled by basic errors - inaccurate handling, ball retention in contact, isolated ball carriers, powder puff fringe defence, lack of width to name but a few - their Achilles Heal - iron these frailties out and this is a good squad.

Marlow were a workmanlike outfit, but their execution was superior for much of this game, especially in their backline who attacked with real intent, pace and accuracy - they made ground with ball in hand. This was demonstrated when slick handling out flanked the Bracknell line - Oli Radford and Ben Hallaways made the cover tackle, and the Bracknell defence was solid when defending a number of Marlow pick & go's, before the Marlow 10 stepped inside a strong blitz straight into Josh Knights channel - a big mistake, like a Pamplona Bull he cut his tormentor in half. Marlow continued to press, Bracknell defended manfully, before the inevitable Marlow try - two passes wide from the base was sufficient. Marlow led 0-5 deservedly.

This set the scene for the remainder of the half, Bracknell attacked with some structure, these phases sparked expectation, but invariably faded like a cheap firework on bonfire night - command of the basics must be the focus going forward to exploit all that is good about this energetic and committed bunch.

As the half time whistle approached, Bracknell returned a Marlow kick, but again the ball was lost in contact and Marlow moved the ball two passes and ran in the 2nd try. The conversion was missed and Marlow led 0-10 at the break.

Bracknell made the changes, some enforced with the loss of Josh Knight, Morgan Philips-Jenkins and Jack McGee to injury.

Marlow had executed the core skills with great aplomb at the breakdown and with ball in hand, and much deserved their lead. Bracknell would need to seek a catalyst, the fuel to ignite the fire that simmered below the surface - the combustible fuel was to be Jamie Johnson.

The first quarter of the second half Bracknell worked hard and gained yards - Sam Spring and Ben Hallaways making yards in the midfield, looking to release the outside backs. Tom Hodge carried over the gain line, whilst Liam Collins dominated the tight - the intensity and power of Bracknell's play was rising, like the autumnal breeze through trees of Lily Hill Park.

With 11 minutes to play, at Marlow's defensive scrum a kick was charged down and Jamie Johnson reacted quickest to the loose ball, snapping it up he dotted down, the conversion was missed but belief now flowed through the Bracknell ranks - game on at 5-10.

They say this great game is won and lost in the top 6 inches - a highly motivated and focused mind is a powerful tool - with this focus and belief came a grasp of the basic core skills, passes stuck, ball retention improved, breakdowns were hit with wrecking ball intensity & commitment, none more so than Phil Harrigan and the point of attack was varied well. One such structured attack gave Ben Hallaways the opportunity to back himself close to the Marlow line - he bust a hole, broke a tackle and stretched for the line. Oli converted and Bracknell led for the first time 12-10.

On 33 minutes Marlow were penalised for feeding in the Bracknell half - free kick awarded - the resultant high ball was chased hard and Bracknell found themselves attacking a fragmented defence with men to spare out wide - Ben Stevens sold a dummied through the stretched Marlow defence to score. Oli converted well to stretch the lead to 19-10.

A frenetic 3 minutes from the kick off allowed Bracknell to hunt for another score, and Marlow to press for a consolation try - a forced pass was intercepted by Ben Stevens who strode in from 50m, a try he converted himself to complete the scoring.

Bracknell's 11 minute try-fest completed a Great Escape that Steve McQueen and Dickie Attenborough would have been proud of, after 50 minutes it seemed Marlow were destined to a felicitous victory - it was not to be - Bracknell demonstrated in the final quarter that they can command the basics with pace, power and precision.