Fierce Bracknell battle yet again comes down to last play

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Hammers v Bracknell going down to the last play. An always competitive and fiery fixture delivered more of the same, with a little bit of controversy thrown in for good measure.

Hammers went into this game off the back of a great week of training, looking to jump start their season after a disappointing opening run. The infamous Hammers slow start was nowhere to be found this week as we flew out of the blocks early, running from deep against a stiff breeze.

Bryce Morgan took a deep box kick and made good ground with his quick feet, looking to set up a clean exit before Joe Carolan switched to the short side. He passed on to Josh Asafu Adjaye, who burst through two tackles in typical fashion before surprising everyone with a superb offload to send Max Dugdale in to finish.

Fifty two seconds on the clock, the fast start we had been hoping for. Joe Carolan slotted the extras from the 15.

A few minutes later, Hammers were in again. Off a scrum, Tim Russell made yards in the most direct route possible before the ball was quickly recycled out to Bryce, who once again jinked between defenders and kept the momentum going. Gregor (NOT GREG) Watson quickly found Joe, who powered over from ten out. From a similar angle as his first, he couldn’t take all seven.

Hammers 12–0, four minutes on the clock, the perfect start.

Bracknell dominated the next few passages of play, running from deep and setting up camp in Hammers’ half. But the defence from Hammers was brilliant against a very physical Bracknell side, who used their big men well to break the gain line and then play wide through their centres and 10 on wrap around plays.

Ian Maclean got Hammers out of trouble with a now typical big hit on our five, stopping their gigantic eight from trying to score off the back of the scrum.

The two sides traded possession, with the ball mostly in Hammers’ half for the next ten minutes or so — Hammers perhaps guilty of overplaying and not exiting cleanly. The defence was a real highlight of the first half, with front up tackles from the likes of Dan Hosteller and Seb Rivett halting Bracknell’s momentum.

This period of pressure eventually told after the Bracknell 13 made a break down their left wing, leading to Joe Carolan knocking on while going for a trademark intercept and receiving a yellow card for his troubles. Bracknell scored off the resulting penalty from a bruising tap and go from their second row, their 10 converting from bang in front.

Back in their half, Hammers had a great opportunity to put points on the board after Dan stripped their carrier, leading to a not rolling call a few phases later. Max duly missed the penalty attempt, unable to add to his points tally for the season that he doesn’t tell anyone about.

Despite being a man down, Hammers continued to defend doggedly and earned a few penalties, giving us field position and running down the clock on Joe’s yellow. After a brilliant kick from deep by the Bracknell 15, using the wind to his advantage, Bracknell were again back in Hammers territory and won a penalty off the line out, taking the shot at goal, which their 10 converted well.

Half Time: Hammers 12–10 Bracknell

Straight off the kick off, Andrew (Kenneth) Rogan, fresh off his cameo for the Vets team the night before, got a cheap shot off the ball from a Bracknell forward, earning us a penalty. The Bracknell man only escaped a yellow due to the ref missing the number.

After more possession juggling, Bracknell were awarded an advantage off a scrum on their own ten metre line, off which they made 40 metres up the pitch before knocking on at the Hammers 22, only for the referee to take them back for the original penalty (one for the moderator, that).

Off the resulting line out, Alex Spicer was yellow carded for playing the nine, which in fairness was probably deserved. Again, Hammers managed to find their way out of trouble, with Seb stealing a line out brilliantly and Hammers running their way out of danger.

Hammers had their chances to score, setting up well but thwarted by a great turnover close to the line by the Bracknell winger. Bracknell won another penalty following a line out, once again taking the points and giving them the lead for the first time.

Score: Hammers 12–13 Bracknell

Hammers were then given an advantage after Spicer returned. Bracknell’s flanker saw some cheese after upending Dan during a ruck. Hammers had a number of phases on the Bracknell line but were again wasteful, knocking on while trying to force it. (For anyone watching the Bracknell live stream, Eoin Baker throws a vintage double teapot afterwards — well worth a watch at 1:34:28.)

Hammers played some good phases and once again found ground through a Josh AA carry, only to be called back for a tackle complete call after he was scragged down with no one around him.

After a great game, constantly making yards and distributing well at 12, Charlie Scott had to go off and later to A&E for a wrist injury courtesy of a questionably timed Bracknell shot. Ben Dugdale joined the fray on the wing (#BD11).

Joe Carolan slotted a penalty after Gregor was hit off the ball (another bad cheap shot from Bracknell’s 1).

Score: Hammers 15–13 Bracknell

From the resulting kick off, Seb claimed and carried, and Spicer won the battle for the clear out, which the Bracknell flanker flopped out of, landing on his back and ending up over Spicer’s knee. Spicer pulled him back over.

Apparently, rolling onto your back is now considered to be landing dangerously. As the great Sean Dyche would say, the game’s gone.

Second yellow, Hammers down to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

Bracknell piled on the pressure through their pattern of powerful carries followed by quick ball recycled wide, but Hammers’ scramble defence again was superb, with Tim and Bryce both saving tries close to the line before Bracknell swung edge to edge. With Hammers overcommitted around the ruck, they scored in the opposite corner. Again, the 10 converted with a great kick from the touchline.

Score: Hammers 15–20 Bracknell

Chasing the game, Hammers won a penalty after some great phases working side to side, with Josh and Bryce making good ground. After a number of phases, Ben Dugdale scored in the corner from his first touch of the ball after Tim did superbly well to offload out of contact. Joe was sadly unable to convert from the corner.

Score: Hammers 20–20 Bracknell

Hammers exited cleanly before Bracknell came back again, building pressure through their established and effective patterns. Working edge to edge and gaining a penalty advantage, their 10 spotted a gap in the stretched Hammers defence and darted over under the sticks — an absolute dagger.

Full Time: Hammers 20–27 Bracknell

A losing bonus point for Hammers will feel like not enough for their efforts, but the performance and attitude were massive positives. Onwards and upwards — Camberley, a fun bus, and fancy dress await.