Colts rugby is an educational process, absorbing experiences in preparation for senior rugby to follow and today, at a wonderful rugby amphitheatre, both sides learnt a valuable lessons in how the top 6 inches can influence a game - mind set is everything.

Bracknell's warm-up had been dominated by too many strutting peacocks, who's focus was elsewhere, tarnishing the preparation of those who had arrived ready for a tough fixture with a highly competitive and physical Newbury line-up - this must change in weeks to come.

There is no doubt this lack of focus influenced Bracknell's early performance and opening salvos, there was some good stuff, ground was made but invariably progress was halted with balls lost in contact, missed line outs or dropped passes.

Newbury made the most of this sluggish start and attacked hard from an attacking scrum and eventually barged over to open the scoring. The conversion was missed.

Again, unit and individual responsibilities disrupted Bracknell's progress, including a penalty reverse for backchat - 40 meters lost, it was unnecessary - mind set!

With 15 mins gone, Bracknell had not settled - Newbury were uncompromising, physical and direct very much in the style of their head coach Newbury legend Nigel Cripps - they were ascendant.

However, Bracknell began to settle and the set piece dominance was to provide Bracknell's first score. From an attacking penalty line out, Harry Baker hit his man and the Bracknell pack drove over - up popped the excellent Tom Hodge, who impressed throughout, particularly with ball in hand. The conversion was missed, Bracknell had levelled at 5-5.

On 28mins with Bracknell beginning to settle, the fog clearing and peacocks feathers clipped but it was Newbury who regained the lead on 28mins. A fine inside ball and hard running line bust a hole in the Bracknell midfield - the scrag cover defence whilst good only delayed the inevitable score. The conversion was missed but Newbury deservedly led 10-5.

The physicality and intensity of the match was growing throughout, occasionally tipping over into some afters, this will challenge a players mind in many ways - it is either channelled into the game or a desire for retribution, the later detrimental to the team? On balance, a number of Newbury players chose the later, perhaps opening the door for Bracknell.

Jamie Johnson, Liam Collins and Tom Smith tackled hard and were destructive, James Taylor had entered in to a personal duel with his opposite number.

Almost from the restart a Jack Whitelaw tackle and excellent Jackal from Adam Newman set a platform to attack. An exquisite Kieran Brown pass (perfectly weighted and in front of the runner) released Callum Baker who made significant ground down the right. One carry around the fringes set the platform - Newbury were narrow in defence all day, so the space was out wide - the ball was moved in field two passes, Harry Baker backed himself and charged over to score. The conversion was missed and the teams turned around 10-10 at half time.

The half time talk was about reducing the error count and exploiting the space out wide, whilst maintaining the intensity in the contact area. A number of changes were made.

After 6mins of the half, Bracknell took the lead following Tom Scott bullocking run from the base of a scrum, his progress was stopped just short, but Adam Newman was on hand to pick up and drive over from short range - he makes a habit of being in the right place at the right time. Oli Radford converted, to extend the lead to 10-17.

Bracknell now dominated, the scuffles continued which, much to the annoyance of the Newbury coaching team seemed to focus their players mind. This lack of focus was illustrated by Tom Scott who took a quick tap and ran in from 40 meters practically untouched. Oli converted.

Shortly after Newbury tapped a line out down but first to react was Bracknell hooker Josh Knight who snapped up the loose ball and burst down the line, he steamrolled the Newbury wing into the ground, his imprint will need to be filled with sand before the next game - Josh ran the ball in and following Oli's conversion Bracknell led 10-31.

Tom Scott ran another in untouched on 54 mins, converted again by Oli to extend the lead to 38-10 - with 15mins to play, Newbury were facing an uphill battle to restrict Bracknell to below 50 points.

But the Bracknell mind-set then changed, the focus shifted, unforced error crept back in - a scuffle off the ball had developed into practically all players engaging in 'Strictly Come Handbags' - Newbury responded best from the distraction when they bust a hole through the Bracknell midfield from an attacking scrum to score under the posts, the try was converted and Bracknell led 17-38.

The loss of focus resulted in a fractious, error strewn few minutes for Bracknell whilst they tried to regain some focus and clear there minds once again - this illustrated to the lads that mind-set is an important element of the complete performance.

The final moments went to Jack Whitelaw, who had a golden opportunity to cap a fine performance. Charging down the touchline like a 'demented giraffe' in the mid-day sun seeking some shade, he brushed aside the cover defence before the moment got the better of him - the ball was dropped in the act of scoring (the only printable description!), his golden opportunity squandered making the post-match DoD award inevitable.

The game concluded with Bracknell good for the win, there were some excellent passages of play, and great intensity at times - Liam Collins leading from the front - but ultimately there were many a lesson learnt about match preparation and how a players mind-set will influence performance.

Another friendly next week prior to the return of competitive fixtures for the 1st and 2nd XV's.

Finally a huge thanks to Crippsy, his team and in general to Newbury rugby club, it always a pleasure to come over and spend time with you.

Go BRFC!