Bracknell U13s were faced with a very strong RAMS team, a soft and sticky pitch and the hangover of some under par performances in recent weeks. This only seemed to motivate the boys in green, as they met the challenges head on, and from kick off looked by far the more proficient of the two sides. After weathering an early attack, with some fortress like defence, Bracknell went into attack mode, and motored up towards the RAMS try line. Consistent support at the breakdown, strong clear-outs and quick recycling of the ball, lead to the phases stringing together nicely. The pressure built and built and the RAMS defence fractured as Bracknell smashed through to open the scoring. The restart saw RAMS step it up a gear, and test the tackling of both Braxton Dickinson and his new centre pairing of Alex Ali, who both absolutely dominated their opposite numbers. RAMS tried to go wide and could not breakthrough either, resulting in a slow of the pace and a turnover into the hands of Bracknell. Solid scrum work from the front row of kept possession, allowing the two Freddys, Brown and Cullity, to get the backline moving. It didn’t last, as a small mistake midfield, allowed RAMS to counter attack and dot down to level the scores, much against the run of play. The restart went high, but Max Wiley, who arguably had his best game of the season, showed safe hands and then powered up the field. The impact of Max’s run, allowed the powerhouse of George Moran to gallop onwards, sending defenders flying in all directions. Bracknell were back on track and now, two tries to one up. RAMS replied, sending their gigantic forwards in from 5 metres out, once again levelling the scoreline. Bracknell were not going to take it laying down and Max Shuttleworth stepped up, with a charge down the middle of the field. Will Baker was on hand to take the offload and equally gained ground for Bracknell. Small errors began to cost Bracknell, as, despite opening the RAMS defence up on multiple occasions, the score weren’t coming. Knock-ons, failure to use the space and exploit the overlap, were detrimental to Bracknells progress. Although they spent nearly all the final third of the half in the RAMS 22 metre section of the pitch, only one further score came. Heading into the break 3-2 up did not reflect the dominance showed by Bracknell.

The second half saw the roles reversed, as Bracknell seemed to lose focus and pace at times. Out wide, Bailey Anstead and James Foster found themselves with plenty of ball in hand, and both were unlucky not to get through the defence. In the middle of the field, Alfie Gooch was a persistent menace, rucking hard, wrapping up players in the tackle and constantly fighting for possession. Finnley Bond got onto the field and stabilised the accuracy of the service form the breakdown, while Cameron Griebenow always approached the contact zone like a warrior. Ben Edmunds was hot stepping like Cheslin Kolbe, probably as their both the same size, and made the RAMS defence work hard all day long. Teddy Bartlam showed some excellent tracking skills in defence and George Whitbread put in a trademark aggressive defensive effort, punctuated by some devastating hits. Freddie Cullity’s line break and onslaught on the RAMS try line was a highlight of the half and so deserved a try, only for the referee to chalk it off as the ball became dislodged on the dive for the line, resulting in a dubious knock on. George Moran was the luckless recipient, on the receiving end of a high tackle that prevented a certain try, which, despite the roar of the crown and request for a penalty try, was never awarded. RAMS exploited their size advantage and simply barrelled over from close range on four occasions, taking the lead and putting the game beyond reach of Bracknell.
The performance from Bracknell was superb, and had it not been for one RAMS player scoring three tries, the result could have gone the other way. Standout individual performances from Max Wiley and George Moran, who both look back to best, coupled with an overall improved defensive display, shows the team is ever improving and are now, without doubt, one of the most formidable outfits in Berkshire.