BRACKNELL RFC suffered a day to forget as they were smashed 50-23 at Newton Abbot in National Three South West on Saturday.

Traffic chaos on the M5 meant the kick-off was delayed by almost two hours, and it was the home team who started the brighter as a Rob Avery-Wright penalty put them in front.

However, on a glorious afternoon in Devon, Bracknell hit back and capitalised on their early territorial advantage with a Leo Bailey try. A Chris Laidler penalty extended the lead to 8-3.

The home side drew level on the half-hour mark with a try from scrum half Luke Kenny, and Newton. Abbott moved in front with further converted tries from centre Kyle Browne and full back Avery-Wright.

A Laidler penalty cut the gap to 22-11 before the break, but Bracknell unravelled in the second half.

With the hosts’ back row in dominant form, No. 8 Jarryd Harris collected a brace of tries and flankers Luke Mingo and Martin Browne also crossed the whitewash. Avery-Wright landed all four conversion attempts, and while Stuart Mackay picked up two late tries for Bracknell, they were unable to salvage a bonus point with another.

Seventh-placed Bracknell complete their season – which has picked up significantly since the start of 2017 – with a daunting home game against champions Old Redcliffians on Saturday, April 22.

  • CROWTHORNE RFC returned to winning ways with a 24-18 BB&O Premier success at second-bottom Phoenix.

The win snapped a two-match losing streak and leaves Crows seventh in the table ahead of their final game at home to rock bottom Risborough on Saturday, April 22.