ROYAL Wootton Bassett produced a stunning second-half performance to outgun mid-table Bracknell 47-29 on Saturday and boost their Regional One South Central survival hopes.
A week on from their vital away thrashing of Sutton and Epsom, Alan Low’s group picked up just their fourth win of the season to move out of the relegation zone.
The afternoon did not begin well for Bassett, however, as Bracknell’s forward pack burst over for a converted try within the first two minutes.
But a resurgent Bassett did not let the early compromise deter them, and they struck back through flanker Ollie Baycroft to level the scores.
The game had soon been flipped on its head when a rolling maul was collapsed on purpose, awarding the hosts a penalty try and a yellow card for the opposition.
Ill-discipline from a Bassett player allowed Bracknell to reduce the deficit with a penalty, and the visitors then continued the tumultuous contest with another try to lead by one.
The same winger who had bagged the visitors’ second try then went over again following a yellow for Bassett.
While the first half was slightly disappointing from Bassett’s point of view, the second could hardly have gone any better.
An early yellow following a dangerous tackle preceded tries from Jack Daynes and Josh McCafferty, and the home team led 28-22.
Although Bracknell did take the lead courtesy of another converted try midway through, the final 20 minutes featured only Bassett scores.
The first try came after Dan Hale’s marauding run forward was supported by opposite winger, Jamie Murray, and a handful of phases later saw Connor Tomley drive over.
Shortly after, Murray dotted down himself once Hale was held up just short of the line, and Sam Baker converted to put Bassett 40-29 up.
Bracknell saw yellow again as they desperately tried to defend their lines, but in the 75th minute another power-packed lineout produced fast ball and Baker was able to drift past the Bracknell defence to go in under the posts.
He then added the conversion himself to wrap up a highly-important Bassett victory.
Elsewhere, Swindon lost 31-29 at home to Newbury Blues in Regional Two South Central. Marlborough hammered Witney 47-14 in the same division.
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