LIAM Hemming scored a scintillating hat-trick as Bracknell RFC avenged their heavy National Three London & South East defeat to Shelford from earlier in the season with a 29-21 victory on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The Lily Hill men had been thumped 52-17 back in September, and it looked as though a repeat could be in store when Warrick Anderson took advantage of a Bracknell knock-on to hack clear for a converted try early on.

The home side hit back 10 minutes later, however, as they won a scrum against the head before Hemming broke through to dot down.

The conversion levelled matters but Shelford went back in front when wing Vuli Velkune crossed following a period of intense pressure. Josh Simmons kicked the conversion.to make it 14-7.

Another Bracknell equaliser looked on the cards as some slick hands between Joe Price and Ben Yates (pictured) set Sakeasi Yabia into space, but the attack was pulled back by the referee for a forward pass and the visitors took their lead into the break.

The home supporters did not have long to wait for Bracknell to pull level in the second half, though, as a show and go by Hemming saw him score Bracknell’s second try. The conversion was slotted by Lewis Dennett before Rory Greenslade-Jones’ side scored almost immediately after to take the lead.

A break by full back Yates and an inside pass toYabia saw him break a number of tackles to find space to score in the corner. Dennett’s attempted conversion again drifted wide but Bracknell were 19-14 to the good.

The hosts were now exerting all the pressure and after a series of attacking scrums were held up, Hemming again broke the line to complete his hat-trick and seal the try bonus point.

Dennett’s conversion put the Lily Hill men 12 points in front, but they were given a scare when Andy Scott crossed the whitewash for a converted score with 15 minutes remaining.

However, a Hemming penalty settled the hosts’ nerves and they held on for the win.

Bracknell return to action with a trip to Hertford on Saturday, January 9.