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Lions   43               Bracknell       7

National League 2 - 15th December

Report by Don Townend

Bracknell came to Rugby looking to consolidate their position at the top of the league, but they were given a harsh lesson by a rampant Lions 15 who showed that they were in no mood to concede that anyone should be above them in the push for promotion.  Lions showed their total domination of a good Bracknell side to tell everyone that they are the form side and they are in no mood to let anyone stand in their way.

The early exchanges were evenly matched as Bracknell strove to impress their superiority on Lions, but the Lions 15 were having none of it.  A quick turnover by Bracknell must have given them heart, but Dave Muckalt typified Lions’ “they shall not pass” attitude by giving an impersonation of a brick s***house as the Bracknell wing cut inside from an early attack. 

Pressure from Bracknell was relieved by a raking kick from Gary Becconsall, with Bracknell being forced into touch.  Lions duly won the lineout, but a knock on conceded the advantage.  The Shed watched on tentatively as Lions started hesitantly.  Which face of their recent Jeckell and Hyde performances would Lions produce today??  A midfield fracas led to a ticking off for Tim Collier and his Bracknell counterpart, with a Bracknell penalty putting them on the attack in Lions’ 22.

An attempted drop goal was charged down by Lions and the loose ball was hacked on by Gary Becconsall and Mark Jasnikowski to give Lions their first real incursion into Bracknell territory after 10 minutes.  Lions were now playing with far more enterprise, but a knock on frustrated them, conceding possession once again to a solid Bracknell defence. 

Now it was Lions’ turn to dominate play, and quick thinking by Dave Muckalt from a penalty allowed Mark Jaznikowski to launch a long kick into Bracknell territory.  Lions were now driving in hard, and a strong run from Matt Coley gave Lions the put in at a scrum on Bracknell’s 22 metre line, but the powerful Bracknell 8 showed that they were in no mood to be dominated as they wheeled the scrum to gain possession.

Relief was temporary as Lions stormed back in attack, but excellent tackling by Bracknell saw Lions going backwards.  Lions recovered and actually had Mark Jaznikowski going over the try line by the posts, but the referee called him back for a forward pass, much to the disapproval of the Shed.

Lions held out with a dreadful passage of play ensuing, with both sides aimlessly kicking possession away.  Lions were now upping the pace, but were making too many fundamental errors that cost them good territorial advantage.  This was typified when Bracknell was penalised for a high tackle, but Lions tried to move things too quickly resulting in a knock on. 

The stalemate was eventually broken after 32 minutes with a typical bit of genius from the evergreen Eddie Saunders who was playing his 200^th league game for Lions.  Fielding a kick by Bracknell, Eddie set off on one of his typical weaving runs to set up an attacking  position.  Powerful play by the forwards allowed Matt Tassell to evade several tackles before slipping the ball to Jacques Steyne who stretched out for the touchdown to put the first points on the board.  Jacques also added the conversion.

However, Bracknell quickly showed why they are top of the table by forcing mistakes from Lions from the kick off.  A back row move from a close in scrum saw Bracknell flanker Richard Parker drive over for a simple try that was converted by Kenworthy. 

Bracknell now went for another score, and a 50-metre kick by the excellent Kenworthy had Lions on the back foot again.  However, a knock on allowed Jacques Steyne to clear the Lions’ line from the resultant scrum.

Lions almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half time, as a powerful run by Tim Collier saw Matt Coley burst through, but a superb tackle by Kenworthy in the shadow of the posts denied a score.  Lions drove on from the resultant breakdown, and again crossed the Bracknell line, only for the referee to recall them and give Bracknell the put in at the scrum, much to the displeasure of the Shed.  Bracknell were able to clear their lines from another solid scrum, leaving the scores level at half time.

Now it was a test of character.  Would Lions concede another early score?  The Bracknell number one thought they would, making a none too complimentary  hand gesture in the direction of the Shed.  What a silly thing to do!!  From here on in he was the target of various comments from the Shed, ranging from “who ate all the pies” to other less complimentary remarks which cannot be repeated in the public domain.

Lions came back with the perfect reposte, as Eddie Saunders fielded a kick by Bracknell and set off on another of his typical jinking runs.  The forwards drove in as Eddie was held, and Oscar Wingham was on hand to charge over by the posts.  What should have been a simple conversion by Jacques Steyne was charged down.  Would this prove to be an expensive miss by Lions??  Not at all!!  Lions were now enjoying total domination of a Bracknell side who had not been subjected to such pressure before.

A turnover by Lions saw an excellent kick by Jacques Steyne put more pressure on a buckling Bracknell.  Lions now sensed the kill, and drove in remorselessly.  However, a poor kick by Mark Jaznikowski gave Kenworthy the opportunity to launch a counter attack, but Eddie Saunders showed his defensive skills in wrapping up his opposite number like a Christmas present.  Lions gained the turnover, but a promising move broke down with a knock on.

Lions chose the time to bring Paul Turner into the fray, with Mark Jaznikowski leaving the field.  Jacques Steyne moved to his favoured centre position, with Ian Hyde moving to the wing.  The next passage of play saw Oscar Wingham limping off to be replaced by front row forward Bennett Smith.

As in previous weeks, Paul Turner immediately started to show his class, and penetrating kicks to the corners ensured that Bracknell were always on the back foot.  Bracknell were now having to chase the game, and mistakes were inevitable.  Lions took full advantage of lost possession by Bracknell, as pressure was applied to the Bracknell line from a series of scrums.  From the last of these, Paul Turner broke blind, and an exquisite inside pass saw Jacques Steyne race in for a well deserved try.  Paul Turner added a superb conversion from the touchline.

Bracknell were now rocking, and as the restart went directly out of play, Gary Becconsall’s quick thinking saw a line out leave Steve Smith steaming deep into Bracknell territory.  Unfortunately he did not spot the unmarked Eddie Saunders in support, and the opportunity went begging.  Lions were now starting to play with belief and purpose, and poor Bracknell had no answer.  Paul Turner was ensuring that play was all in the Bracknell final quarter of the pitch with a series of excellent kicks to the corners.

It was inevitable that Bracknell would make mistakes in their attempt to claw back Lions’ lead, and from a breakdown, Paul Turner floated a long pass out to Ian Hyde on the wing who was able to cross in the corner.  Paul Turner was unable to repeat his touchline conversion, but Lions were now completely dominating all phases of play against the league leaders.

The next Lions score was superb.  Bracknell attacked wide, but again Eddie Saunders wrapped up his opposite number, and as possession was turned over on the Lions’ 22 metre line, the ball was thrown wide by Lions.  Was it a bird??  Was it a ‘plane??  No, it was Paul Shadbolt who was lurking in the centre position to make valuable ground to half way.  Matt Coley was in support, and an outrageous dummy completely bamboozled what was left of the Bracknell defence to leave Ian Hyde a clear run to the line for a superb try.  Paul Turner made no mistake with the conversion to put Lions well in command.

Lions played out the last few minutes on the attack, but were unable to add to their tally.  Nevertheless, a scoreline of 43 points for and just 7 against tells its own story against a side that, until today, had considered themselves to be the best in the League.  The score certainly tells a different story.

Final result:

Lions    43            Bracknell           7

This was another superb display of 15 man rugby from Lions who should now go on to obliterate other teams in the League.  It is just a shame that they now have to rely on results from other teams to see them claim a promotion spot.  Whilst next week’s trip to Preston will not be easy, Lions should travel with the confidence that they well and truly trounced the team currently sitting on top of the League.  Bracknell can have no complaints that on the day they were comprehensively beaten by a much better team.  It is only a pity that we could not get the scores on teletext on the television in the clubhouse to hold the details just as Bracknell did when they narrowly defeated us at their ground not too long ago!!

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Bracknell RFC is the youngest club in National Division Two with a birth date of 1955. This is not so surprising as Bracknell itself is not much older. In its league history Bracknell has not moved around quite as much as Rugby with two relegations and four promotions to Lions’ four and five respectively. Three of Bracknell’s promotions were achieved in succession and over a period of six seasons they won 51 home league games in a row.

New to Rugby’s fixture list, the two teams have already had their first encounter on a muddy pitch at Bracknell’s Lily Hill Park. That was the day England scraped home against Australia. The Bracknell/Rugby battle was just as tense if less exciting and Rugby lost a winnable game. Since then the lions have stiffened their sinews and they will be looking to assert home authority.

So far Bracknell have won all of their home games but with both Camberley and Rugby losing by only three points. Away from home they have narrowly lost at Esher and Harrogate but comfortably beat Rosslyn Park on 11^th November with the help of Kenworthy’s boot and three forward’s tries. Their only away game since then was at a slowly improving West Hartlepool where they won 10-30. Last Saturday’s comfortable win was over Kendal whose away form has been above average.  

If Lions want to be champions this match cannot be lost!