Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 13 Bracknell 12

 
Stortford's heavy injury problems were added to within the first 5 minutes, when Jack Knowles, today on the wing, suffered a bad cut to his head in making a tremendous tackle on one of the visiting second rows running at full tilt. This, unfortunately required hospital treatment. If it's any consolation, Jack, that kind of tackle, which not only stopped the player in his tracks, but also jolted the ball loose set the example for some of the great defence subsequently showed by the team.

After a tense first ten minutes, with both sides looking to exert early pressure, the first score went Stortford's way when, following a crucial turnover in their own half created by Tom Stokely and Will Freeston, a penalty was forced under the Bracknell posts, which Marcus Cattell kicked for a 3-0 lead. The game continued to hang in the balance, but a penalty miss by Bracknell after 15 minutes appeared to leave the more adventurous home side on top. The balance swung against Stortford, however, when, ten minutes later a careless pass from Marcus Cattell, as the home side tried to break out of their own half, was intercepted by No 14, Ian Birch, who ran in for a try, converted by centre, Ben Nowak. Despite always looking the livelier side, Stortford could not score again before halftime, with player after player looking to go that one extra step and often losing possession, instead of maintaining momentum by simply setting up another phase. Bracknell were very happy to turn round 3-7 in the lead.

The Stortford side showed more patience in possession at the start of the second half and a series of phases led to a maul close to the Bracknell line, from which a quick pass to Cattell allowed him to plunge over for an unconverted try 10 minutes into the half. Some 12 minutes later though, it looked as if the one point lead would be overturned, when Bracknell were awarded a penalty for offside almost under the Stortford posts, but the kick, fortunately went narrowly wide. The next score, nevertheless, went the visitors' way when, 30 minutes into the half, their fullback, Stuart Mackay fielded a speculative chip ahead, as Stortford attempted to break out of defence, and, having burst through the chasing line, he clinically committed the last home defender before setting up centre, George Britten to stroll in for a try. To add insult to injury, however, the try-scorer appeared to throw the ball in the direction of Stortford's flyhalf, as he moved back towards the posts. Unfortunately Marcus' reaction to this resulted in him being shown a red card. The loss of such a key player looked as if it must inevitably cost Stortford the game, despite the attempted conversion having rebounded off the far upright to leave the deficit at only 4 points. His team mates, clearly did not see things that way, however, and they immediately launched a concerted assault on the Bracknell line and, despite the one man disadvantage, refused to be repelled. The whole pack in particular dug deep, typified by back row, David Rose playing on, having had a dislocated shoulder manipulated back into place. A late yellow card for the Bracknell hooker, possibly proved crucial, however, when at a subsequent 5 metre scrum, Stortford's 7 forwards put on a tremendous drive, allowing skipper, Mark McCraith to plunge over the line for a winning try. Timing is said to be everything and there was no time left for Bracknell to restart the game, leaving Stortford as gallant – and very relieved - winners by one point.

The Mercedes Man of the Match award, almost inevitably in such a tight match went to a forward and the deserved winner was prop, Olly Day, who demonstrated the benefit of his recent extra fitness work both in tight and loose play . I'm sure he would like to thank Gilly for his fantastic example and encouragement!