It’s fair to say that over the past few weeks the Cents have strung together some fine performances. This weekends game was the ultimate test of how the squad has come on. An away fixture to the leagues only unbeaten side; having played and won 18 matches.

The match was played at the lush green municipal pitch at Calfridus Way due to the state of the clubs pitches.

There is now a steely confidence within the squad. Defence is generally tight and attack is decisive and quick. Phrases like “we play our game today boys and things will happen” and “I hope there are plenty of jelly babies for half time” were being thrown around. In the event this became undoubtedly the best performance the squad has strung together this season against a side that ran out of ideas. There were some cracking individual performances, but ultimately this was all about a TEAM effort.

5 - 0 an early try for the home side, and the only one scored by their backs when the ball was pinged out wide following forward pressure in the middle of the park.
5 - 7 a try from Full back K Leicester when he jinked in and out of half the Bracknell team, decided against an outside pass to his unmarked winger, much to the delight of the coaches, but managed eventually to finish things off himself. Converted by A Leicester.
5 - 14 Cents had a period of fine procession in the Bracknell half which resulted in a yellow card for the home side after repeated penalties for offside. A try eventually came from A Dias as he cut a fine inside line. Converted by A Leicester.
5 - 21 Another try for the silver fox Dias when he rounded off a fine break from lock Oakley. Converted well from out wide by A Leicester.
12 - 21 A try from the home sides forwards after numerous short pick and goes from their forwards. On the day this was the only real attacking threat they had. Converted well from out wide.
Just before half time we had the unsavoury sound of the Bracknell air horn, being used by supporters that clearly came from a footballing background, sounding just as the Cents Fly half attempted a penalty kick. Thankfully the ref was strong enough to have a word. This sort of behaviour isn’t generally associated with rugby.

Half time, and a calm chat basically along the lines of “more of the same guys “ with the added incentive from the coaches of “keep playing like this and we’ll win this game. If that happens, boys, the beers are on us….."

17 - 21 Another one for the home sides forwards. Not pretty, but eventually effective. Unconverted.
17 - 28 The third of the afternoon for Dias after a fine turnover A Leicester broke and the industrious No 8 was on hand to score. Converted by A Leicester. Try bonus achieved. Coaches and supporters beginning to believe that just maybe…...
24 - 28. Another one for their big forwards, well converted from wide out.
24 - 31 Penalty from A Leicester.
Bracknell then received their second yellow of the afternoon when a lock got carded for dangerous play.
24 - 36 Possibly the try of the afternoon. With Cents camped on their try line repelling yet more short range stuff from the Stags forwards, A Leicester effected a fine turnover when we attacked the ball in tackle. Scrum half Gough pinged the ball out wide to full back K Leicester who broke up the right wing to the half way line. Gough was up in support and every Cants fan willed him on as he sprinted the remainder of the pitch, with two defenders back peddling furiously, to touch down and immediately request a defibrillator.
24 - 43 With time running out the final nail in the Bracknell coffin was banged in by K Leicester. Gough pulled off a turnover of his own just inside the Cents half and released K Leicester down the left wing to outpace the tired home defence and round to score under the posts. Converted by A Leicester.
Much back slapping and man hugging amongst coaches and supporters.

This had been a stirring team performance. Yes, as mentioned earlier, there were some fine individual performances, but this was very much about the team. Well done to man of the match K Leicester and a massive thanks to the large contingent of travelling support. Very much appreciated.

Quote of the day;
There we many quips, most of which were not suitable for printing.
Bracknell coach when he signed the score sheet post match; “ I hope you enjoy a beer or two tonight. I personally won’t be drinking, I have a bad taste in my mouth”.