BRACKNELL RFC overcame appalling conditions and a gutsy Eton Manor side to seal an 18-3 victory in their National Three London & South East encounter.

The wet and windy weather at Lily Hill Park meant the early period of the game was a series of knock-ons and penalties, in the first ever league meeting between the two sides. Though it was Eton Manor who exerted the early pressure, they were unable to make that tell as they missed a number of penalty kicks at goal.

It was finally Bracknell who opened the scoring with a penalty from Liam Hemming in the 20th minute, and with no further scores during the opening half, the hosts led 3-0 at the interval.

Rory Greenslade-Jones’s side extended their lead early in the second half with a Leo Bailey try from a rolling maul started with a line-out in the Eton Manor 22.

The conversion went wide but Bracknell were now 8-0 ahead – a useful advantage with conditions the way they were.

The teams then exchanged penalties, meaning Bracknell’s lead stayed at five points.

However, in the the final moments of the game the hosts produced some rugby magic to light up a dismal day as they secured the win with their second try.

With Eton Manor having to keep the ball alive, George Milligan latched on to a loose ball and threw a long pass to No. 8 Lachlan Valentine, who produced a remarkable one-handed catch before popping an inside pass to Ian Burch (pictured right).

The wing scorched under the posts in front of the clubhouse, and with Hemming adding the extras, Bracknell’s victory was sealed.

Second row Kenny Barry was named man-of-the-match following his tireless work on a grim day.

The victory lifts Bracknell to 10th ahead of a trip to Wimbledon this coming Saturday (3pm).