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Bracknell

35

Lions

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Lions gave their faithful supporters a belated Christmas present with a crucial win against fellow strugglers Bracknell.  The win was made all the sweeter with a bonus point for scoring 4 tries, whilst at the same time denying Bracknell a bonus point with the margin of victory. 

With both Stuart Potter and Jaques Steyn picking up niggling injuries in the Boxing Day game at Coventry, Lions had fly half Richard Davies filling one centre berth, with James Ogilvie-Bull returning from injury to fill the other.  Craig Jones came in at number 10, whilst Pete Roberts was given a run on the wing after a good display at Coventry with Eddie Saunders dropping to the bench. 

Lions started in determined mood with typical big hits from Sam Tovo, Steve Smith, and Tim Collier as the big Bracknell pack drove in from the kick off.  David Pears, the Bracknell fly half, was soon in the wars, having to leave the field for treatment after a heavy tackle, with a “blood replacement” taking his place. 

Lions’ early possession saw the pack powering into Bracknell territory, but they were penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle, and a good kick to touch set up Bracknell’s first attacking lineout.  When the ball was won, a kick through was too long and was easily touched down in goal by the Lions’ defence.   

A long 22 metres drop out saw the Bracknell defence inexplicably knock on with all the time in the world to gather the ball.  However, Lions again squandered a good attacking position when they were penalised, allowing Bracknell to clear. 

David Pears returned to the fray, as Bracknell’s big locks and number 8 were causing Lions problems with some strong running.  One lovely move saw one of the locks burst clear, only to be denied a score by a superb last-ditch tackle from Sam Tovo.  Lions managed to steal the ball in the resultant ruck, and cleared to half way. 

The big Bracknell pack were looking dangerous as they rolled Lions back a good 20 metres, before a knock on interrupted their progress with Lions’ supporters fearing the worst.  However, they were soon cheering as from the resultant scrum, James Ogilvie-Bull punched a hole through the Bracknell defence and set off for the Bracknell line 70 metres away.  With just 50 metres left and the cover catching up fast, Bully delivered a perfectly timed pass to the supporting Phil Reed for the speedy winger to race over in the corner.  “Cliff” Richards added a superb conversion from wide out to leave Lions enjoying a lead that was really against the run of play.   

Lions were immediately in trouble from the kick off, and when Sam Tovo was penalised for coming into a maul from the side, up stepped David Pears to drill his kick between the posts from 35 metres. 

Sam earned the referee’s displeasure moments later for a tackle that was typically hard, but was harshly judged to be high, resulting in Sam being given 10 minutes in the sin bin.  David Pears attempted to repeat his earlier penalty success, but justice was done as his kick shaved the wrong side of the post. 

He tried to make amends moments later with an ambitious drop goal attempt, but he was well off target, and Cliff Richards was able to clear to half way.  When Lions were penalised at the lineout, Pears drilled the kick to the corner.  The take at the line-out was good, and with Lions a man short, the Bracknell pack forced their way over for the try to give them the lead.  David Pears added a good conversion. 

A long kick off by Lions allowed the Bracknell forwards to build up a head of steam, and their impressive number 8 made good ground before being halted by some crunching tackling by Lions that left him looking decidedly groggy. 

The Lions’ scrum was performing more solidly than in previous weeks, but things looked ominous as they were shunted backwards on their own put in.  However, Tom Walsh did brilliantly at the base of the scrum to pick up and squirm his way past several defenders to head deep into Bracknell territory before being collared.  Lions arrived in force (still minus Sam Tovo!!) to continue the momentum, and Tristan Prosser-Shaw was on hand to power over for another excellent score.  This time Cliff Richards pushed his conversion attempt wide.   

Lions now had their noses back in front and had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when excellent follow up work by Pete Roberts saw Bracknell penalised when trying to deal with a Lions’ kick through.  Unfortunately instead of the penalty setting up an attacking lineout, the ball was kicked straight dead and play was brought back for a Bracknell scrum from where the penalty was taken. 

Bracknell again drove in, but their play was very one-dimensional with their pack attempting to make ground down the middle, followed by a high kick into the box from the scrum half.  Cliff Richards was enjoying a superb afternoon, and dealt brilliantly with everything that came his way. 

When a free kick was awarded against Lions for delaying the put in at a scrum, the Bracknell scrum half knocked on when attempting to take the tap.  The referee spotted the infringement, but promptly awarded the scrum put in to Bracknell.  This time Bracknell moved the ball wide, but Cliff Richards was again on hand to deal with a chip over the top. 

Lions were now back to full strength with the return of Sam Tovo from the sin bin, and were soon on the attack again with a lovely break from prop Phil Greenbury.  When the cover caught him, several Bracknell players appeared to come into the maul from offside positions, but the referee awarded the scrum put in to Bracknell. 

Again Lions repelled the Bracknell attack with some fierce tackling, and a good kick to the corner by Craig Jones had Bracknell back-pedalling.  Bracknell’s number 8 was again in the wars as his team attempted to clear their lines, but this time he was unable to continue and was replaced.   

Bracknell drove back upfield and a long kick by David Pears was well covered by Cliff Richards, but Bracknell were now starting to build up an ominous head of steam. Lions were awarded a scrum for a not straight throw into the line, and the pressure looked to be relieved, but the Bracknell pack turned the scrum to gain the put in.  When the ball was moved along the backs, the Bracknell attack looked ponderous, and a knock on allowed Lions to clear to half way.  However, the Bracknell pack set up another excellent rolling maul to push Lions back 20 metres. 

Lions were penalised for offside, but David Pears’ penalty attempt fell short and was well taken by Sam Tovo.  Unfortunately, Sam must have still been suffering from jet lag after his Christmas in New Zealand, and his attempted clearance kick made no distance allowing Bracknell to drive back at the Lions’ line.   

With 40 minutes now up, Lions were defending desperately, but the referee showed no signs of wanting to bring the half to a close.  Again Bracknell attacked, and when the ball was moved wide, their number 15 found himself on the overlap.  A try looked inevitable, but the full back had not reckoned on the flying Pig hitting him with a superb cover tackle. 

Lions replaced Craig Jones with Matt Tassell, allowing Richard Davies to revert to his favoured fly half position with Matt slotting in at centre.. 

With the Lions’ supporters checking their watches, which now showed 8 minutes of additional time added, Bracknell were awarded a 5 metres scrum.  A determined Lions held the scrum push, and solid tackling denied several drives at the Lions line.  However, the pressure finally told as Bracknell moved the ball wide again, and this time their full back found the time and space to round a tired Lion’s defence to score in the corner.  David Pears added a superb touchline conversion as the referee ended 10 minutes of added time with Bracknell now back in front. 

Half time 

Bracknell            17            Lions            12

It had been a determined first half display from Lions, and the feeling amongst the supporters was that the game was very much winnable, but an early score was desperately needed to get themselves back into contention.   

This was obviously the feeling of the Lions’ players as they tore into Bracknell from the kick off.  Unfortunately Lions were penalised, but the decision was reversed on the intervention of the touch judge for some illegal use of the boot by a Bracknell forward.  Cliff Richards’ 40 metres kick was straight and true and Lions were just 2 points behind……..but not for long!! 

Again they tore into Bracknell from the off, and when the home side were penalised for offside, Richard Davies put the kick to the corner.  Lovely lineout work saw Lions held just short of the line, but they were awarded the scrum put in.  Again Lions attacked, and again Bracknell were penalised for offside, but this time in the shadow of their posts.  Up stepped Cliff Richards to slot the 3 points and extend Lions’ lead. 

Now it was Lions’ turn to be penalised for offside.  Bracknell kicked to touch and moved the ball wide from the resultant line.  A chip through was superbly taken and marked by the increasingly impressive Cliff Richards.  A long kick along the touchline was somehow fumbled into touch by Bracknell, and Lions had quickly turned defence into attack.  Unfortunately Lions were penalised at the lineout and Bracknell were quickly back in Lions’ territory. 

Bracknell’s pack were again starting to look impressive with some excellent rolling mauls.  Lions were penalised for offside and a quick tap almost saw David Pears through, but Phil Greenbury managed to catch his shirt to haul him back.  The ball was knocked on as Bracknell tried to keep the momentum going, and Lions were able to clear when Bracknell were penalised at the resultant scrum. 

A good drive from the line-out saw Richard Davies put the ball to the corner, and when Bracknell cleared, there was Cliff Richards again to put a long kick back into the corner to keep Bracknell deep in their own territory.  More good lineout work by Lions saw the ball moved sharply along the backs, and a score looked possible with men over, but the cover managed to smother the attack. 

Bracknell again tried their high kick, but this time Pete Roberts was equal to the task with a good catch.  However, he was penalised for not releasing the ball as he was tackled, and Bracknell put the kick to the corner. 

A good take and drive saw Bracknell trundling ominously forward, until Lions were penalised for illegally stopping the momentum.  Another kick to the corner…..another take and drive…..and another penalty against Lions.  A kick to the corner and another drive would surely have resulted in a score or a penalty try with the possible bonus of a yellow card against Lions.  Instead, Bracknell opted for the 3 points, and David Pears duly obliged. 

When Lions were penalised from the kick off, up stepped Pears again to send a 40 metres kick just over the bar to bring Bracknell back to within 2 points of Lions. 

Yet another high kick by Bracknell was again well taken by Pete Roberts, but he was bundled into touch for a Bracknell lineout.  The ball was duly won and spun wide to the wing, but his kick through was tapped into touch.  Another attacking lineout for Bracknell, and Lions’ supporters’ hearts were pounding.  However, a quick throw was taken and Lions managed to disrupt the line and hack the ball upfield.   

Again Bracknell tried the high kick, and again Cliff Richards took a superb catch and returned the kick with interest.  The Lions’ tacklers were up quickly to effect the turnover, and Lions moved the ball wide, but a Matt Tassell chip evaded both attackers and defenders to run into touch.  Bracknell duly won the lineout, and just for a change they tried a high kick.  Ho hum……you would think they would have realised by now that Cliff Richards was in inspired form at full back, and again the catch was safe, and the long kick to the corner took a good bounce to go into touch 5 metres from the Bracknell line. 

For once the Bracknell line failed, and Steve Smith was able to take the long ball and drive for the line.  He was held inches short, as was Matt Tassell in the shadow of the posts.  When the ball was moved wide, it was unfortunately lost in the tackle allowing Bracknell some respite. 

But again they seemed determined to make Cliff Richards drop at least one high kick during the afternoon, but he was again up to the task, allowing Richard Davies to keep Bracknell deep in their own territory with some probing kicks to the corner. 

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With time running out, Bracknell were having to run everything, but determined Lions’ tackling kept them at bay.  As Bracknell became more and more desperate, they were penalised in their own 22, and up stepped Cliff Richards to plant the ball between the posts. 

Bracknell just had time for one more up and under, but again Cliff Richards was there with yet another superb take and mark.  His kick to touch saw the referee blow for time to trigger celebrations both on and off the field. 

Final result: 

Bracknell             23            Lions            35

This was an excellent team performance from Lions that sees them climb several places up the league.  With Jaques Steyn, Rob Field, Stuart Potter, and Norpera Stewart looking fit to return in the coming weeks, team selection should be very interesting.  This victory should put Lions in good heart to pull themselves away from the drop zone.  The groundwork has been done, and now the Lions must build on this morale boosting victory.

Chris 'Cliff' Richards

Lions team

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Bracknell, who were promoted to National Division One as champions of National Two last season, were closely followed by Rugby Lions who secured the second promotion place. With this season at its midpoint the two teams are still close together but this time at the wrong end of the table. The big difference between the two clubs is that, while Rugby have been through it all before (more than once), being up against the wall is a new experience for Bracknell. 

There is no history of competition between the two clubs before last season’s two encounters when Bracknell shaded a close game at Lily Hill Park but were later demolished in the second half of the fixture at Rugby.  

This season Bracknell’s home victims have been Coventry (by a single point) and Moseley, but they lost to Birmingham, Otley and Rotherham. Away from home their one success was beating Henley, a thing that Rugby signally failed to do, but games were lost to Exeter (by three points), London Welsh, Manchester, Wakefield and Worcester 

The Lions’ side has changed somewhat since Rugby’s superlative win at Webb Ellis Road a year ago, and this season’s team building process was interrupted by the recent enforced change of coach, so the most likely scenario for Saturday is a repeat of last season’s encounter at Bracknell. 

Rugby Lions need to build on their recent success against Otley and a first away win of the season would make the perfect start to the New Year. Go for it Lions!