Sat 4 Feb 2023
Bracknell IV 15 Shire Hall 33
After last week’s comprehensive win over Hungerford, Shire knew that Bracknell would provide a sterner test. In typical style, it took only two minutes for Shire to open the scoring when Laurie Moss crashed through defenders to cross under the posts which was converted by Rhys Stewart to give Shire an early 7 point lead. The next score came soon after to Bracknell when their speedy backs broke through the Shire defence. Shire then realised that the free scoring they had enjoyed against Hungerford was not going to be case today. After 15 minutes, Laurie Moss again found his way over the try line in similar fashion to before and with Rhys’ conversion, Shire were 14 – 5 ahead. It was at this point that the referee became tired of Bracknell’s fly half’s verbal opinions and showed him the yellow card. However, despite a numerical advantage, Shire could not add any points to their lead. In fact, it was Bracknell who scored next with a well worked try. This prompted Shire to produce some of their best rugby when the backs produced some good work for Luke Barefoot and then Jonny Parry to both cross. Rhys converted one of these to put Shire very much in the driving seat with the score at 26-10.
Half Time Score: Bracknell IV 10 Shire Hall 26
Shire now had to play up the slope but found the Bracknell defence in good form as Shire were thwarted in their attempts to score. A second yellow card of the game was shown for the unfortunate Sam Watkins whose swinging arm caught the Bracknell player in the neck area. Nothing vicious but just clumsy. Shire then brought on John Payne for his Shire Hall debut and his first touch of the ball nearly resulted in a try. Bracknell were unable to profit from their numerical advantage, but they did manage to reduce the arrears with a well worked try. As the half progressed, Bracknell lost a few players to injuries and Will Myers also had to leave the field with a chest injury. The last play of the game actually saw Alex Webb break through for a try that Rhys converted. All in all, this was a very competitive game which would have been enjoyed by both sides. This win meant that Shire have now scored over 500 points this season with over 81 tries.
Final Score: Bracknell IV 15 Shire Hall 33
Tries: Laurie Moss (2), Luke Barefoot, Jonny Parry, Alex Webb
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (4)
MOTM: Laurie Moss – another fine game with two tries
DOTD: Sam Watkins – careless tackling resulting in a yellow card.
