Bracknell went down 27-26 at Brixham in agonising fashoin on Saturday after star kicker George Owen missed a relatively straightforward penalty to win it at the death.

It was Bracknell’s fourth defeat of the National Three South West season, leaving them sixth in the table and already 10 points behind leaders Exmouth.

However, head coach Greenslade-Jones is confident they can bounce back and reignite their promotion challenge.

He told the News: “We didn’t start brilliantly, Brixham scored in the first minute and we were soon 13-3 down. We fought our way back and played some really good rugby against a Brixham side who were clearly fired up after losing twice against us last season.

“The game was toing and froing and there was nothing in it really.

“A couple of refereeing decisions didn’t go our way and Brixham also kicked two penalties from the half-way line which proved vital.

“But after all that we had a kick in front of the posts from 25 yards out to win the game which George Owen unfortunately missed.

“There is no blame on George. He was brilliant all day and had already scored 21 point, but the kick was into a strong wind and that’s how it goes sometimes.

“Even then we had chances to win. From the last play of the game Barry Dwyer broke free and was sprinting for the line. We were already up celebrating, but he was stopped short by an incredible ankle tap.

“We put everything into the game, but Brixham came out on top and they celebrated like they had won the league.” Bracknell will have plenty of time to reflect on the Brixham defeat as there is a break in league fixtures for all clubs this weekend.

And Greenslade-Jones believes the break has come at the right time: “It’s been a tough start to the season overall,” he explained. “We’ve had a lot of injuries and struggled with availability at times. But the boys who have come in have done a great job including those who played on Saturday.

“It’s been a tough run of games so we welcome the break. We know we can improve in certain areas and that’s what we’ll be working on in the run up to our next game.” Bracknell have the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways when they return to action.

Their next fixture is at home to the division’s whipping boys, Chard, at Lily Hill Park on Saturday, November 15.

Greenslade-Jones added: “Luck isn’t quite with us at the moment. Things really picked up for us after our excellent second-half performance against Exmouth which set us off on a good run.

“So while last weekend was disappointing, we know we can bounce back and we can now look forward to a weekend off and a chance to recharge the batteries.” - GEORGE’S Owen’s brilliant 21-point haul was not enough to save Bracknell rugby club from a desperately close defeat at Brixham in National Three South West on Saturday. The visitors made a disastrous start in Devon as wing Matt Crosscombe bagged a first minute try before the sides exchanged penalties.

Brixham moved further ahead through their wing’s second score to lead 13-3, but Rory Greenslade-Jones’ men hit back through a converted Stuart Mackay try.

Another set of penalties were shared before Brixham flanker Scott Puleston dotted down.

Owen struck a penalty before the break to make it 21-16, and his converted try in the second half put the Lily Hill men ahead.

However, after Giuseppe Salustri was sinbinned, the siege gun boot of Dan Parkes struck two more long-range kicks to put his side 27-23 up.

Another Owen penalty cut the gap to one, but he missed a late kick to win it before scrum half Barry Dwyer was tackled agonisingly short of the try line as Brixham held on.