With the disappointment at Harlequins now clearly a distant memory the players were determined to put things right and get back to winning ways. In training exercises before the matches the coaches concentrated on rectifying one or two technical issues which had been identified as problem areas from the previous week. Improvements were made to the positioning of the back line and the forwards worked on their rucking and mauling techniques. The immediate consequence was that the forwards linked better with the backs who found they had more space to run with the ball at speed. As the team’s confidence increased so their performances improved.

The first game against Petersfield turned out to be the closest match of the day. Mackenzie Forth settled the nerves early on showing great strength to score a fine individual try, and after Michael O’Donoghue went over the line to build a 2 try lead the ‘Green Peas’ were never really challenged.

Up next was Chipping Norton who were dispatched with five tries, including a hat trick from Harry Worm. Michael Dykes opened the scoring, using up most of the pitch with a zig-zagging run which eventually led to a try in the corner. Indeed Michael would have scored another similar try if he had not unaccountably lost the use of his hands as he crossed the line, dropping the ball at the vital moment. Any idea that this was due to show boating in the style of a certain Mr Ashton was later vigorously denied! The ubiquitous Michael O’Donoghue rounded off a 5 – 0 win.

The final game of the group stage saw Bracknell run out convincing winners against Davenport Services with a 7 try to nil score line. The two Michaels were again on the score sheet, ably backed up with a first try of the season from Will Harding and a quartet of tries from Paul Studd who was clearly delighted to be back at his dominant best. The relaxed nature of the team saw some interesting positional changes during the game with notably Michael O’Donoghue putting in a strong performance as prop. It would have been interesting to have seen what absent Head Coach Chris Warner would have made of such indiscipline!

With the win over Davenport guaranteeing a place in the final Bracknell now had a two and a half hour wait. It was understandable that concentration might have wandered during this time and it’s possible that certain members of the team (mentioning no names, Douglas!) over-indulged on coca-cola, muffins and burgers. However, cometh the hour……cometh Clive Field, who, detecting that attention levels were waning, gave the boys a ‘kindly’ pep talk and some ‘gentle’ drills to get them geed up for the finale.

With Clive ‘done’ there was no need to panic and Bracknell ended up comfortably winning the final against Topsham of Devon four tries to nil with the usual suspects, Paul Studd, Michael D, Michael O’D and Harry Worm, all crossing the line to claim a famous victory.

A total try count during the day of eighteen for with none against was a truly astonishing effort from the boys and speaks volumes for the way they dominated all their matches. Indeed taking the results from the three festivals in which Bracknell A have competed since Christmas the match figures stand at;

Played 13, Won 12, Lost 1

Tries for; 40

Tries against; 3

Congratulations to the whole of the A team for a fantastic performance this year and role on the Isle of Wight. Yippee Yi Ay!