BRACKNELL RFC picked up their first win of 2019 with a 22-13 South West Premier success at home to Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

It was the away side who began the brighter as they nudged into a 6-0 advantage off the back of two James Mackay penalties, although Vic Hardwicke halved the deficit with one of his own on the half-hour mark.

The hosts kicked on and ensured they went into the break with a two-point advantage when making the most of a two-man numerical bonus after Weston prop Charlie Brabham and hooker Mike Hocking were sent to the sin-bin, Hardwicke crossing the whitewash for his side’s opening try.

With extra players compared to their rivals at the start of the second half, Bracknell turned the screw with a brace of converted tries inside the opening seven minutes.

Firstly, a clever cross-field kick from Hardwicke was collected by wing Ian Burch, and secondly a fine break from Simon Bayliss allowed him to off-load to Gabe Hills to go over under the posts. Hardwicke converted both tries to make it 22-6.

Weston-super-Mare discipline again cost them when full back Robbie Mackay was yellow-carded, but Bracknell were unable to pick up a try bonus-point.

Indeed, with four minutes remaining, it was the away side who had the final word, centre Marcus Nel going over before James Mackay added the extras.

Despite the victory, Bracknell drop a place to 11th after Cleve secured a bonus-point victory. The Lily Hill men are one point above the drop zone and host Brixham this Saturday (2.15pm).

JOY Westlake scored a memorable hat-trick to help Bracknell Ladies to a 17-5 win at Seaford as they reached the quarter-finals of the RFU Junior Cup.

TRIES from Terence Hepetema, Dave Porecki, Mat Rogerson, Stephen Myler and Ollie Hoskins proved key in leading London Irish to a vital 35-29 Greene King IPA Championship victory at Nottingham last Friday.

Myler also added 10 points with the boot as Exiles maintained their nine-point lead over Ealing Trailfinders.

Declan Kidney’s men host the only team to beat them in the league this season – Jersey Reds – at Madejski Stadium on Sunday (1.45pm)