BRACKNELL RFC threw away a glorious opportunity to seal a second National Three London & South East win of the season as they were beaten 30-27 by visitors Guernsey, writes Richard Ashton.

Despite being forced into a late reshuffle after fly half Liam Hemming was stuck in traffic on the M4, the Lily Hill men made a fabulous start and had sealed a try bonus point inside the opening quarter, scoring a quartet of fine scores to lead 22-6 before their indiscipline cost them dear.

Bracknell opened the scoring through Dan Faamatuainu’s early score, and with full back Stuart Mackay dotting down and wing Ben Yates grabbing a quick-fire brace, Rory Greenslade-Jones’ side looked well set for a comfortable victory.

However, ill-discipline has been a theme that has blighted the Lily Hill men this season, and their inability to stay on the right side of the referee allowed Owen Thomas to kick a couple of penalties to keep Guernsey in the contest.

The home side were reduced to 14 men after flanker Tom Devereux was sin-binned for infringing near his own line, and from the resultant penalty, Guernsey kicked to touch and powered over from a rolling maul, hooker Tom Ceillam the man to claim the five points.

Thomas slotted the conversion to cut the gap to 22-16 at the interval.

Bracknell began the second half strongly and replacement prop Nick Owens rounded off a fine team move to score his side’s fifth try, although their woes from the kicking tee would once again come back to haunt them as replacement Hemming struck the post.

Guernsey hit back with a converted try of their own through Adam Nixon, and they went in front when Luke Gardener collected a kick to go over, Thomas converting to make it 30-27 to the Channel Islanders.

With Guernsey gaining dominance in the scrum and at the breakdown, Bracknell were unable to hit back late on, and their hopes were further hampered when they suffered a second yellow card after Josh Webb was penalised for tackling the man without the ball.

And despite seemingly having the game sewn up midway through the opening half, Bracknell indeed were in fact somewhat fortunate to claim a losing point after man-of-the-match Thomas missed two late penalties for his side.

Bracknell have slipped to 12th in the table having lost four of their opening five games, and will look to bounce back to winning ways when they visit Colchester this Saturday (2pm).

l CROWTHORNE RFC will aim for their first BB&O Premier win of the campaign when they travel to Tadley Tigers this Saturday (3pm). The Crows did not have a game last weekend.