BRACKNELL RFC began life in the post Rory Greenslade-Jones era with an 18-10 victory at Gravesend which confirms their National Three London & South East survival.

The opening exchanges were messy, but Bracknell were unable to capitalise on a number of line breaks.

It was Gravesend who had the first opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty, fly half Jake Berthelsen’s attempt just missing. With 15 minutes on the clock an Ian Burch break resulted in a Bracknell penalty which Lachlan Valentine slotted through the uprights to put his side in front.

However, a catch and drive from a line-out allowed the hosts’ hooker Zac Lewis to score in the Bracknell corner shortly after.

Gravesend continued to enjoy the possession and looked like they had extended their lead when winger Rhys Betts crossed the Bracknell try line, only for referee Ben Wilde to pull the play back for a forward pass.

As the rain started to fall at the start of the second half, another Gravesend break was held up short of the Bracknell line.

The visitors were then awarded a penalty which allowed them to clear their lines, but any relief was to be short-lived as more sustained Gravesend pressure saw winger Rhys Betts cross for an unconverted score.

Bracknell’s response was almost immediate. Back row and man of the match, Liam Goodison (pictured below), stole the ball at a maul, and some quick Bracknell hands meant the ball found its way to Burch, who broke a number of Gravesend tackles to score from the halfway line. Lewis Dennett failed to land the extras.

This seemed to inspire the Lily Hill men and five minutes later following a line break by Dennett, some quick recycling saw captain Jonny Mirza crash over from close quarters. This time Dennett’s conversion kick was good and gave his side a 15-10 advantage.

He then landed a penalty to put his side eight points in front, and despite constant Gravesend end pressure in the last 10 minutes – which led to yellow cards for Leo Bailey and James Wright – the visitors held firm.

Bracknell travel to relegated Westcliff this coming Saturday (3pm).