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MENS 1XV
Matches
Sat 16 Nov 2024  ·  Regional 1 South Central
Bracknell
44
23
Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club
MENS 1XV
Bracknell Dominate Late as Injury-Hit Wells Fall Short in Hard-Fought Battle

Bracknell Dominate Late as Injury-Hit Wells Fall Short in Hard-Fought Battle

Perihan Ibrahim21 Nov - 13:01

Bracknell 44 Wells 23

Match Report Courtesy of Fran Colangelo

A dry cold day saw Wells travel to Bracknell for a 2pm ko with both sides needing a win
It was an even start with Wells attacking the clubhouse end having the advantage of the slight slope. Bracknell got on the scoresheet first with some fine handling th cut through Wells defence and score under the posts, converted for a 7 - 0 lead. Wells responded with a Jack Greig penalty to close the gap to 7-3. It was a scrappy start both sides having chances but unable to break through. Wells injuries also played a part with Max Hobbs coming off for Theo Rimmer and soon after Bracknell added a penalty to increase their lead. 10-3 after 20minutes. Tom Waghorne left the field after taking a knock to the head with Jonah Landbeck coming on to replace him. Hobbs came back on with his hand patched up.
A Wells attack saw another pen for a high tackle and Greig went to the corner only for Bracknell to steal and clear their lines. Wells were getting more possession and going through the phases but good B defence held out the visitors. However an overthrown lineout by the home side fell kindly for the ever present Alex Purnell who went over with Greig adding the 2 the scores were level at 10-10 on 30 mins.
Wells continued to attack but were met with solid home defence. Sadly it was Nick Doherty that was next on the injury list holding his ribs as he was replaced by Tom Fairley. Wells still had the upper hand but gave away a penalty with the line beckoning. Wells scrum was solid and the pick and go working well. With 5 To go Wells broke through as the ball went wide and Hobbs scored in the corner. Greig converting 10-17 as the half time whistle sounded.
The second half saw Theo Rimmer on for Lucas Scully as Wells kicked off Harrison Chapman took the ball clean and charged forward. A high tackle saw Greig slot another 3 and wells took a 10 point lead 10-20. Bracknell came back with Wells D holding out but the visitors were giving away penalties and 1 was put over to close the gap to 13-20. B came straight back with their hard running left wing causing problems. Gaps opened and he went over in the corner with the conversion missed. 18-20 after 12 mins of second half. The home side now had a grip on the game and were getting the bounce of the ball another try in the corner this time converted restored their lead 25-20. Wells came back but a long range penalty was missed by Greig. Soon after he had a closer shot as Bracknell infringed again with a high tackle and put the ball over for 3. 25-23 after 20 mins. That was the last points Wells scored despite the efforts of Ben Whale & Alex Purnell leading by example; Bracknell took advantage of a tiring Wells team.
The B left wing went close again and from quick ball another try and conversion increased the lead to 32-23. With 15 to go Wells struggled to find any rhythm in attack and B took advantage and a penalty to the corner lead to another try unconverted 37-23. This was quickly followed by one more as the left wing scored in the corner converted 44-23. Wells mounted a final attack through Whale but the pressure was held out by Bracknell and the final whistle went.
A deserved win for the hosts. Wells will hope the injury toll isn’t too bad and have a rest week before travelling to Hammersmith and Fulham for a must win game.

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Nov 2024

Kickoff

14:00

Attendance

437

Competition

Regional 1 South Central

League position

7
Bracknell
10
Tunbridge Wells
Further reading