BRACKNELL RFC head coach Rory Greenslade-Jones has insisted team spirit remains strong despite his side suffering a fourth consecutive defeat on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The Lily Hill men shipped eight tries as they were thumped 46-24 by Colchester in National Three London & South East, and face a daunting trip to runaway leaders London Irish Wild Geese this Saturday (2.30pm ko).

The table-toppers have lost just once all season, although Bracknell pushed them mightily close earlier in the campaign, only to fall to a narrow 30-27 reverse.

But Greenslade-Jones (pictured with captain Jonny Mirza) is optimistic his side can put up a good show as they aim to snatch a first win of 2016.

He told the News: “I think it’s a no pressure game. We’ve got to stick to our processes and go out there and try things.

“We won’t be expected to win the game so we’ve got to go out there and make sure we do the right things at the right time, and ultimately score some tries.”

Bracknell fell 36-0 behind to Colchester – in a game played on the 4G pitch at Maidenhead – following a succession of missed tackles, but they fought back to secure a try bonus point.

Greenslade-Jones confessed to mixed emotions about the display, and said: “Attacking-wise, we tried a few things out and I think we created many holes, but at the moment we lack the confidence to finish off the tries.

“It was very evident that once we got one try we got a bit of confidence back and three more came.”

He continued: “We can take some positives out of it but ultimately, defensively, we need to step our game up. Our one-on-one tackling needs to be a lot, lot better.

“It’s personal when you miss a tackle. You’re a vital part of the cog and you’ve got to make that tackle for your personal pride.

“They don’t do it on purpose and it’s not because they don’t have the heart or because they don’t want to do it, it’s just because technically they haven’t been on point or the player in front of them has been very good on his feet.”

The point took injury-hit Bracknell back above Chichester into 10th place, and Greenslade-Jones has his sights set on some improved form.

He revealed: “We’re looking to get to eighth or ninth at least as we’ve got Wimbledon to play and all the teams below us.

“The heart and the collective team spirit is still there and we’ve got a massive focal point on London Irish Wild Geese and then Chichester.

“It’s an eight-point game against Chichester at home so we really need to go and win it.”

He concluded: “We’ve had a few guys come in, a few guys injured, a few guys unavailable so it’s been difficult – but if you’re part of the squad you need to stand up and be counted.

“Ultimately, I don’t think everyone did that (against Colchester) so we need to take a long hard look at ourselves and go out and right the wrongs.”