BRACKNELL RFC’s National Three London & South East season ended on a disappointing note as they were thumped 63-19 at Westcombe Park, writes Richard Ashton.
The visitors started brightly but conceded two penalties when in attacking positions –the first for crossing and the second for failing to release.
These wasted opportunities came back to haunt the Lily Hill men as Westcombe took control with a five-try blitz.
Frankie Neale went in under the posts on 14 minutes before Luke Bellinger added another shortly after.
Worse was to come for Bracknell as Tom Gray dotted down before James Lindfield grabbed a quick-fire brace. James Cameron converted all of the tries to put his side 35-0 up after just 32 minutes.
Visiting coach Dan App Dafydd – who has been confirmed in the role for the 2016/17 season – made a couple of changes on 33 minutes with academy boys Aly Walton and Ben Hallaways coming on, the latter for his first team debut.
Walton immediately found a gap and pressure was put on the Coombe line only for the ball to be spilled, and the hosts went down the other end to score their sixth converted try courtesy of Gray.
Bracknell showed their heart and got on the scoresheet themselves on the stroke of half time, Walton again finding a gap and this time he was able to run in the try. Lewis Dennett converted to make it 42-7 at the break.
Both teams tried to put on a show in the second half with running rugby at every opportunity.
Although the Bracknell defence held up better than the first half, it could not prevent an early Ant Hitchcock score, Neale then knocking over the conversion.
Ian Burch grabbed a second try for the visitors, but Rob Cattanach and Joe Bonner extended the lead further, Cameron returning to kicking duties to land the extras on both occasions.
The Lily Hill men refused to give up, though, and had the final word when Ben Yates – outstanding all season – crossed two minutes from time in hooker Stuart Silvester’s final game for the club ahead of retirement.
Bracknell 2nds retained their BB&O One title with a 15-8 win at home to Reading 2nds.
CROWTHORNE RFC ended the BB&O Premier season in fifth place following a 36-15 defeat at runners-up Milton Keynes.
LONDON Irish return to Aviva Premiership action with a home game against Harlequins on Sunday (3pm). Defeat would confirm Exiles relegation from the top flight for the first time in more than 20 years.
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