Old Cents travelled to League Leaders Bracknell this week and pulled of a superb win in a very competative match.
Cents had to make changes and adjustments to the backline with Srumhalf Ryan Garrot, Flyhalf Dave Knight and Centre Ryan Townsend all failing a late fitness test which left Cents Coach Jack Preece to move Players around and play in unfamiliar positions for this top of the table clash.
Apart from the injured Ben Slatter, Cents forwards were at full strength and proved today they were a force to be reckoned with.
With rain pouring down before the start of the match this was always going to be a tight game between the two sides.
The match started with both teams looking a little nervous and both sides were playing a tactical kicking game and Bracknell came up trumps first with a crossfield kick that bounced perfectly in their wingers hands who ran in and touch down close to the uprights, the conversion was good and gave Bracknell an early lead of 7-0.
Cents came back with a single penalty from Liam Hemming to make it 7-3 and with both sides defending well this was always looking to be tight match.
Bracknell had a fair share of possession and earned another two penalty's before Cents Flyhalf put up an up'n under for Fullback Lewis may to chase and with another little kick ahead he won the race and dived on the ball to score which Hemming converted to bring the score closer at 13-10.
Just before halftime Bracknell were attacking the Cents line and had a couple of driving mauls which were stopped and eventually had their best chance with a scrum under the cents post but the Cents pack pushed them of it to win a penalty to get them clear of danger.
Cents had a couple of phases in the Bracknell half and won a penalty to equalize the score 13-13 at the end of the first half.
The second half began at the same tempo with both sides sharing the attacks but the Bracknell side knocked the ball forward on too many occasions and the Cents defence was heroic at times keeping the London team from scoring any points.
Cents tactically got it right pushing the ball up field and making Bracknell try to run it back, and their dangerous backline took some stopping but never quite made it through Cents defence.
Cents got another penalty on the hour mark to take the lead 16-13,then Bracknell could of equallized when they had a penalty in front of the post but choose to run it but the Cents defended their line with passion.
With 10 minutes left on the clock and both scrumhalves off injured and the other (Rob Jones)sinbinned, Cents put Rich Pinkney at nine who pushed the forwards up field into Bracknells 22 and then passed back to Liam Hemming who chipped over a drop goal to take a 6 point lead.
For the last few minutes Cents just had to hold on and defend their lead in which they did and finally turned the ball over and got a Penalty for Hemming to kick out and get the ref to blow up for the end of a thrilling match.
Coach Jack Preece said "This was a fantastic result from a Cents team that has a great amount of ability but today the game was won playing with alot of heart and our Defence was outstanding, we all dug in deep and played for each other, all 18 of us".
Match report by Steve Preece