With the 1st team pitch under water, and the second pitch with laying water, it was decided that today’s game should go ahead despite the conditions. This is after all a game of Rugby and both teams were more than eager for the re match, so with a little help, the water was pushed off the field of play.

This was to be a totally different game than that of the previous week, (Newbury) although with Bracknell we faced an opposition containing a few more players who were obviously used to playing at a higher level. Our guy’s attitude was to play what was in front of them, but more importantly playing as a unit In truth both halves of this exiting game were fairly evenly matched with 4 tries and 2 conversions coming from both sides, with Bracknell getting an added bonus of a penalty kick sailing between the sticks. Although it must be said that we were out scrummed, I feel we had the greater opportunities and it was a shame we never quite got where we were going, but instead let the opposition through for a weak try at a time when we were becoming the more dominant and had the score in our favour.

Having had rolling subs, it allowed the guys who had quite litterally put their backs on the line a time to recover, although it meant some lads had to play out of position (though this wasn't made obvious as everyone rose to challange). Today everyone deserves a mention, so their names are listed at the end, I would like to thank the effort that Joe Blower put in (U14 playing up an age group, but again not out of place).

Today saw the return of the team captain, Rhys who managed to lead by example, and although a fly half managed to win the ball at most of the breakdowns like any good flanker should! Scoring a try and two conversions. In fact in raising the game he took the lads on the journey with him, and thus his team played with the conviction they had seemed to have lacked of late. These a just a few of the reasons I had no hesitation in making him ‘man of the match’

please check photos kindly taken by Neil Chandler

http://www.aldermastonrugby.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&page=slideshow&gid=77&Itemid=57

15 mikey Bolton, 14 Tom Houghton, 13 Ben Polding, 12 Josh Wallace, 11 Olly Banks, 10 Rhys Donoghue,   9 Connor Brewer, 1 lewis Davies, 2 Ryan Farley, 3 Jake Loveridge, 4 Tom Vastone Giles, 5 Duncan Spence,  6 Tom 'Daisy' Barry, 7 James Preston, 8 Luke 'Butler'  subs (all used) Jack Firth, Charlie Edmonds, Kristian Chareun, Charlie 'Butterly' moore, Joe Blower

Today we can again smile and be proud of an Aldermaston team playing with the confidence and ability we all knew they had - john.