U17 Colts progress in Cup

So many unknowns approaching this opening salvo in the U17's National Cup fixture, the state of the Lily Hill pitch after a mixed week, the challenge of the opposition and blending a cohort of U16's into an unfamiliar set-up? But Bracknell shouldn't have worried - conditions were good, the opposition diminutive and the U16's excellent.

This was a mixed performance, as they generally are, when one side dominates so thoroughly from the first whistle.

With the power of Ian Botham's 3.5 pound Duncan Fearnley bat, Bracknell bludgeoned Swindon for six taking a 24-0 lead inside 18 minutes with tries from Billy Cole (2) & Tom Smith (2) plus two Ben Stevens conversions.

Bracknell's confidence was now high, but focus was lost and they started to miss time their shots, and Swindons combative defence forced them on to the back foot - Bracknell's run rate dropped dramatically with the only glimmer being a well taken opportunist try from Alec Bromley, Ben converted - to really hit your straps, composure is required, and it was not regained until the half time break.

Bracknell led 31-0 at half time, they had perhaps been too consumed by their greater size and physicality, looking for contact - the big hit, rather than playing well structured phases, attacking space whilst executing the basics, this cost them another 3 maybe 4 scores.

On came the U16's cohort, introduced for their first experience of Colts rugby and Kieran Cartledge, Tom Day, Jamie Walford, Josh Johnson, Jacob Keers and Sam Faulkner all contributed, adding real value and finesse missing from the 1st half.

Bracknell played with greater control in this half, the running lines improved and the ball was kept alive with some well judged offloads. So the brutality of Botham's heavy bat was replaced with exquisite rapier like drives through the covers - David Gower would have been impressed!

Josh Johnson finished off a handling move on the left with real pace and some strength. Matt Murphy danced over with great footwork, before Tom Daly finished off a well constructed attack from deep. Now back on the front foot, skipper for the day Jamie Johnson drove over from short range before Ben Stevens benefited from an over-head pass from Tom Daly.

Swindon were committed throughout and knocked out Bracknell's middle wicket with a beautiful Yorker of their own with a long range try - it was the least they deserved for a long day in the field.

Bracknell now look forward to a long trip to the West Country where they will play St Austell and perhaps a place in the South West Final.

Go BRFC!