BRACKNELL RFC picked up a first National Three South West win of the season with a bonus-point 27-20 success against Bournemouth at Lily Hill Park.

The hosts took a third-minute lead when Lewis Dennett slotted a penalty against his former side, although Grant Hancox levelled matters with one of his own at the end of a period of sustained pressure.

Bracknell opened their try-scoring account on 26 minutes when Leo Bailey benefitted from being at the back of a rolling maul to dot down, although Dennett’s conversion attempt hit the post.

Another Hancox penalty cut the gap to 8-6, before a lengthy pause in play following a sickening clash of heads between Bracknell hooker Mike Clarke and visiting full-back Alex Sutherland, the latter taken to hospital.

Bournemouth rallied, however, and moved into the lead when David Bates crossed before Hancox converted to make to 13-8 to the visitors.

Bracknell began the second half strongly and the away side lost centre Scott Chislett to the sin bin for persistent offside, with the hosts’ pack then securing another push-over try which was scored by Kim Plant. Dennett’s conversion made it 15-13.

But Bracknell shot themselves in the foot when opposing wing Alex Everett-Bolter scored an interception try under the posts, Hancox converting to make it 20-15 to Bournemouth.

Chislett collected a second yellow card and subsequently red which allowed Bracknell to roar back, Ben Sanderson going over to level the scores.

And the Lily Hill Men completed victory with a converted Lachlan Valentine score late on.

Bracknell visit Salisbury on Saturday (3pm).