BRACKNELL RFC were denied a second consecutive National Three South West Premier victory as Weston-super-Mare came from behind to earn a 23-23 draw at Lily Hill Park.

On a glorious afternoon, the hosts suffered an early setback when No. 8 Chris Hala’ufia was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle inside the opening three minutes.

With a man down Bracknell were unable to prevent Weston’s first try of the day, some smart hands in the visitors’ backs allowing left wing Chris Young to finish a move under the Bracknell posts. Fly half James Mackay added the extras and put his side 7-0 up.

A further penalty extended the away side’s advantage, and just before the break, Mackay repeated the trick to make it 13-0.

Bracknell began the second half more positively, and got themselves on the scoresheet courtesy of a Chris Laidler penalty.

An inspired break from Gabe Hills then saw him break a number of tackles to score in the corner, and following a series of rucks in the Weston 22, Ben Sanderson was able to cross the line for a converted try and give Bracknell the lead for the first time in the game.

A further Chris Laidler penalty for a high tackle extended the Lily Hill men’s lead to 18-13, and the visitors then had prop and captain Sam Coles sent to the sin-bin for his side’s repeated infringing.

Bracknell’s backs then created space for Lewis Franklin go over for his first 1st XV try, although Laidler was unable to convert.

Yet Bracknell then conceded a converted try before Mackay earned his side a share of the spoils with a late penalty.

Bracknell travel to Camborne this coming Saturday (3pm).

  • CROWTHORNE RFC return to BB&O Premier action with a home game against Littlemore on Saturday (3pm).

They had a Saturday off last weekend, having been beaten 77-0 at Wheatley in their previous game.