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1st XV Men
Matches
Sat 16 Mar 2024  ·  Regional 1 South Central
Bracknell
15
22
Havant Rugby Football Club
1st XV Men
Tries: S Shepherd (2), C SmithConversions: J Knight (2)Penalties: J KnightYellow Carded: W Brock
2nd half comeback as Havant keeps in top spot!

2nd half comeback as Havant keeps in top spot!

Pete Mayhead18 Mar - 16:59

#upthehill

Havant travelled to Bracknell knowing only a win would do, the pressure at the top is being lapped up by this squad as the season comes to a climax.
Will Knight again made enforced changes with Rory Penfold coming in for Jake Hewett and Robbie Hume on the bench after his Navy exploits this past month.
The Bracknell pitch was in pretty good condition despite the rain in the week, except for one patch which looked like a bogland marsh. The wingers were told to stay well clear!
Havant started the better of the two sides, but keen Bracknell defence and Havant's inability to be clinical kept the score 3-0 in Havant's favour with a Jacob Knight penalty. When Bracknell went down to 14 for a high shot Havant expected to kick on but found themselves having to scramble in defence to keep out the runners in green.
Will Brock was next to receive a yellow, Havant again tried to weather the storm but a mix up in goal saw Bracknell punish the mistake. Havant down 7-3 with thirty minutes played. The whistle was a welcome noise for the faithful as players re-grouped on the pitch at half-time.

Half-time Bracknell 7 Havant 3

The 2nd period was only minutes old when Bracknell went further in front, a penalty, the men in blue and white hoops had work to do, back to basics!
Surely and with great passion Havant started to turn the screw, Joel Knight bursting through several times in midfield creating space, but the Bracknell defence held firm. Finally, Sean Shepherd received the ball in space and was over... flying like Superman for try number 18 and Havant were level at 10-10 each.
Bracknell continued to be dangerous, but Havant just had that edge, winning the collisions and finding the space, Cam Smith out wide scored Havant's 2nd try, and Havant led for the first time since the 6th minute. An excellent Jacob Knight conversion on the touchline made up for the couple of penalty misses in the first half.
Back came Bracknell in this see-saw game with a try of their own, the winger given far too much room. The score now 17-15 in Havant's favour with twenty to go.
Havant again pressured the Bracknell defence in the last ten minutes, and a penalty was cleverly kicked to touch. Catch and drive anyone? The line out was won, and Havant powered over the line with non-other than Sean Shepherd coming up with the ball for try number 19.
The scenes at the end on the pitch and touchline showed how important this win was for Havant, with just two games to go. The battle continues! upthehill

Full-time Bracknell 15 Havant 22

Will Knight's thoughts after the game
"We knew this would be a tough game - Bracknell rarely lose at home and we saw why today.
We made a good start and played a lot of rugby with little reward and when we went behind it was a little bit against the run of play.
As they have done all season the lads spoke with great clarity at the break and came out in the second half to execute.
It wasn’t pretty today but a win against a good side on a difficult pitch is what we came to do, and we delivered."

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Mar 2024

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

Regional 1 South Central

League position

1
Havant
5
Bracknell
Further reading

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