On a sunny Sunday morning, Bracknell Under 13s Development Squad took to the field for the final of the Berkshire Youth Cup, facing a strong Newbury side, who they had narrowly lost to earlier in the season.

Lead out by Zabi Parker-SIllito, the lads in green started superbly. Fast and hard lines saw Bracknell barge their way forward towards the Newbury try-line and within two minutes Alex Ali burst through, only to knock-on as he dotted down. No try. Bracknell went again with the same gusto, forcing Newbury backwards. Swift footwork from Finnley Bond saw him through and placing the ball down, only to realise it was over the five metre line and not a try. Third time lucky seemed to be the case, as the ball went through the hands and out wide to Alex, who opened the scoring. His second try swiftly followed, as a beautiful, flowing move saw him step back inside to increase the Bracknell lead. Bracknell didnt relent, with a powerful scrum, fronted by Alfie Gooch, Cameron Weaving and Alfie Allen, driving the Newbury pack off the ball. Great vision and quick thiking saw scrum-half, Hayden Lawson pick and go, nipping through for the third try. Bracknell were on fire! The restart from Newbury anded in the arms of Alex and loose defending saw him skip through unopposed, completing his hat-trick. Newbury replied swiftly, and for the first time in the match, managed some phases and with the ball out wide, they slipped into the corner for their first try. Their second came soon after, as again their big winger found himself in space and driving through a missed tackle to score number two. Bracknell were determined to regain control and see out the first half with a firm grip on the match. Phase after phase were strung together, with excellent cohession and Bracknell flew up field. Oliver Holbrook making a clean break, resulting in the ball ending up out wide and into the hands of Finnley Bond who dived over, making up for his earlier faux pas!

The second half saw a Newbury fight back as their centre benefited from a Bracknell dropped ball and ran in from the 22 metre line. Bracknell lost focus and when a penalty was awarded close to their own line, Newbury tapped wuickly, and went through a non-exsitent defensive line. The scores clsoed up, but Bracknell were not to be beaten. Sebby Pollard showed excellent agility and deft hands, as he exploded threw the middle of the field, before a suttle offload handed into the hands of the supporting Alex, who had an easy jog in. It was full steam ahead for the next five minutes, as Bracknell looked to put the game to bed. Ben Edmunds began to get himself incvolved, with strong running and big defensive hits, Rowan Lear and Greg Rys got stuck into the Newbury players with a huge workload,a cross the field, while Zabi set about jackalling every ball he could at the breakdown. A loose kick from a tiring Newbury was run back by Finnley Perryman, who, after sitting down a defender, released an ever advancing Alex, who duly ran in once more. Newbury hit back, with a well worked try putting their full back over in the corner, but this was soon cancelled out as Harrison Bennett and Alex combined, using their sheer strength to make gaps and holes, with Alex scoring once again. Harrison then got a score of his own. After a Zabi break, swift clear out by Finn B and a delightful pass out from Hayden, Harrison put on the after burners and outpaced the scrabbling defence. Newbury used some "A" team substitues to try and regather some monetum, and depsite one of these scoring a very easy score out wide, it was Bracknell who would have the final say. Brutall sollisions up the length of the field, Bracknell's support play was exemplary, as they secured ever ruck and motored fowards. Backs and forwards combined as Alfie G finished a fine performance, driving over from close range, making the final score 10-7 to Bracknell.

Silverware secured as Bracknell did the double!

Man of the Match for an all round outstadning display was Alex, whose teammates helped him to use his skills to devestating effect.