Bracknell RFC U9’s prove themselves ‘Jolly Green Giants’

Match statistics of played 5, won 5 against some of the best teams in the region saw Bracknell finish top of the group and deservedly return home with the trophy for the first time, having finished runners-up in each of the previous three years.

The morning started with a tight match against Reading Abbey, decided by a single try from Michael Dykes who out sprinted the opposition in typical style to score in the corner.

Chobham RC was up next and Bracknell again took the lead with a fine individual effort from scrum-half Douglas McMurray, taking the ball from the scrum and darting through a gap in the Chobham defence. Another try from Michael O’Donoghue in the second half, when he rounded off a good passage of play by diving for the line, put Bracknell 10-0 up before Chobham pulled a try back just before the end.

Any apprehension from the coaching staff about the team’s chances against well fancied Camberley was soon dispelled by the players, who put in a superb performance, once again refusing to buckle in defence and then taking the game to their opponents. Harry Worm opened the scoring showing his strength to break through the Camberley line after a strong run from Paul Studd and great close forward work had set up the opportunity for him to score. Camberley however soon brought the score back to level pegging to set up a dramatic and exciting finale. But Bracknell again showed their never say die attitude which has been so evident in their performances since Christmas. Another strong run from Michael Dykes was ably supported by the forwards who drove him towards the line. From the resulting five metre scrum Douglas McMurray made another fast dash, this time coming up short and laying the ball back to Paul Studd who, with the full weight of Bracknell’s forwards behind him, was propelled through the despairing Camberley defence to score the winning try. The crowds went wild!

There was still work for Bracknell to do though if they were going to return to Lily Hill Park with the spoils, but with their confidence now high they put in two of their strongest performances, winning against hosts Redingensians 15 – 0 with tries from Scott Harman, Will Field and Harry Worm and scoring four unanswered tries against Farnham. Harry Worm, Douglas McMurray, and Will Field each scored again, while forward Ollie Warner was the popular scorer of the last try of the day.

At the end there was only one team able to chant “Who are we? The Green Peas!” (Is this right? Ed)

At the end of a hard day’s rugby, U9 assistant coach, and our own ‘Man of Green’, Pat O’Donoghue was delighted at the performance of his team. “I was really happy with the display from the forwards today, they’re showing the benefits of working so much together in training, and I want to congratulate Will Harding, Will Heath-Turrall and Aaron Smith who did so much work ‘behind the scenes’ to set up the opportunities for their team mates to score. It was a day for the forwards and they really stepped up to the mark”.

“It was a tougher time for the backs as the size of the pitch didn’t really give them many running opportunities, but well done to them for taking the chances which did come their way. All but two of our three-quarters got tries, with only Nathan and Mackenzie missing out, but they should both feel really proud of their contribution to the team.”

Pat was also keen to praise the coaching staff. “I want to say thanks to all the coaches for the marvellous effort they put in as well, and I’d particularly like to thank Darren ‘Kit-Kat’ Harding for his contribution, especially after his week of personal suffering, and that poorly thumb!”