Bracknell edge pulsating derby as Maidenhead fall just short at Braywick Park

Chris Gill scores the first of his two tries in the 28-39 defeat to Bracknell. Photo: Paul Morgan

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Maidenhead 28, Bracknell 39

Maidenhead lost a pulsating clash with derby rivals Bracknell at Braywick Park on Saturday, but the hosts were well in contention until the final play of the game.

The visitors managed to build some momentum through the second half and continually pressed their determined hosts back.

Maids also briefly led mid-way through the second half, after Greg Smith swept over a couple of penalties to make it 16-15. But Bracknell have been in impressive form this season and they wrestled back control of the game, thanks in part to Maids’ ill-discipline.

Still, with only a minute left on the clock, Chris Gill barged his way over to score his second try to make it 28-32.

Maids might have had one more chance to win the game had they collected the kick-off. Instead, Lucas Norton – who’d earlier scored a fantastic solo try to get Maids back within touching distance of Bracknell – fumbled the kick forward and the penalty gave Bracknell the chance to score again, with O’Connor going over to steal a losing bonus point from the hosts.

Maidenhead had given their all and unfortunately come up just a little short. Yet, there was plenty for head coach David Mobbs-Smith to be encouraged about, not least the character his side showed, while they were also only seconds away from claiming a losing bonus point – or perhaps possibly even sneaking a win. On Elio Mandozzi’s 100th game for the club, it was a match that had it all.

Still, this was an excellent clash and a great advert for Regional 1 South Central rugby.

No quarter was given by either set of players and Maidenhead deserve credit for the way they clung to their visitors, who at times threatened to take the game away from them.

Hardwicke scored Bracknell’s first try, under the posts in the third minute after cleverly dropping his shoulder and throwing a dummy to score.

The teams then traded penalties, with Greg Smith getting his eye in to make it 10-3. Drew Prince had a great chance to touch down in the corner in the 24th minute, but he was bundled into touch.

From the resulting lineout, Maidenhead managed to steal the lineout and Gill ran through a half-hearted tackle to score and make it 10-10. Maids appeared to have real momentum heading towards the half-time break, but they gave away a silly penalty from their own scrum, and Bracknell set up a rolling maul to force their way over. It was a huge set back to Maids’ hopes of winning the game.

At 10-15, Maids were very much in the contest, and two penalties from the excellent Smith edged them in front at 16-15.

The home side scrapped to hold onto that lead for as long as possible, with Bracknell making a real hash of a move out wide when a try looked a certainty. Maids then managed to turn the ball over on the try line as Bracknell pushed once more. At that time, you sensed it might be Maids’ afternoon after all. But with Maidenhead defending very narrowly, Bracknell were able to spread the ball wide on the left and Cannon collected a miss-pass to run in a simple score (16-22).

Bracknell stepped up the tempo – sensing this was their moment to strike and take the game away from Maids. In the right corner, the hosts gave away a silly penalty and were reduced to 14 men. The visitors worked the ball well and O’Connor barged his way over to make it 16-29.

But a quick tap from Norton in the 67th minute created the chance for him to run through a tiny gap and run half the length of the field to score a dazzling solo try. At the age of just 18, Norton looks to have a very bright future in the game and Maids will hope that it’s with them, at least in the short to medium term.

Smith hooked the conversion attempt to keep Maids eight points adrift. Another Bracknell penalty – from another Maidenhead error – stretched that lead to 11 points, but Maids weren’t done yet. In the 79th minute they managed to get some field position once again and Gill dived over for his second try – and Maids fourth of the afternoon.

Had they held the kick-off, they may have created one last chance to pull off a famous victory. But Norton went from hero to zero as he fumbled the kick forward and Bracknell swept the ball left for O’Connor to smash his way over the line, with Maids players claiming for a boot in touch.

The try made the final score 28-39. It was a dagger to the heart of Maids hopes, but it also provided a thrilling end to a brilliant game of rugby.