Match Reporter: Fran Colangelo

A good crowd took to pitch side to Watch Wells final home game against Bracknell, with the Vice Presidents out in force after a superb lunch in the clubhouse.

Wells lie 4th and Bracknell 5th and in their home fixture Bracknell came out deserved winners 31-10. Wells were hoping to reverse that result. It was cagy start with both sides making early handling errors. The resulting scrums showed both sides solid in that area winning their own ball as play stayed midfield for the first 5 minutes. It was Bracknell that made the first telling break as Wells slipped of tackles in midfield. Wells were penalised and a kick to the corner resulted in sustained possession and a try out left. The conversion hi the post and the visitors led 0-5. Wells tried to stake a claim in the game but Bracknell were solid in both defence and attack. A missed pen to touch saw the Bracknell backs mount a counter attack. Wells were getting penalised and Bracknell capitalised. From a quick tap penalty 5 yards out Bracknell added to their lead and after 15 mins it was 0-10.

This seemed to kickstart Wells and a good restart saw an attacking line out on the Bracknell 22. The ever present Ben Whale charged as Wells closed in on the line but defence was strong again. This time though it was Bracknell that were penalised and Jack Greig added the 3 points to close the gap to 3-10. Wells were now having more of the play as the attacked the clubhouse end but they could not turn their possession into points. A big charge from Whale who found Angus Horne whose kick ahead left him inches short of the line. Bracknell cleared but Wells came again and in the last 5 mins of the half Jay Smith went over and with Greig adding the conversion it was 10-10 and stayed that way till half time.

Bracknell started the second half well and a series of attacks get them close. Wells still looked a little loose and and a defensive kick gave Bracknell far too much room and they punished the home side with some fine handling to score a converted try and regain the lead 10-17.  Wells came straight back keeping possession  and it was Dave Lock that came up with the ball under a pile of bodies. The conversion was missed but the gap closed to 15-17. Bracknell came back in what was a see saw game but Wells now had some grit about them and defended hard and a penalty against Bracknell saw Wells clear this lines. This was a crucial time in the game as Wells survived the onslaught. There were some big performances in the pack as Wells started to gain momentum again Whale charged Smith and Curtis supported. Bracknell were penalised and from the line out the ball went wide and Mylo Vanner-McKew scored in the corner. Wells led 20-17 with less than 10 to go.

It was all Wells now and the last minutes were played in the Bracknell half. Good pressure from the forwards saw Harrison Chapman go over for the bonus point try converted by Horne and Wells were surely safe at 27-17. Bracknell attacked with a few mins on the clock chasing a losing bonus point but Wells defence as it was for most of the second half stayed strong and saw the game out to the pleasure of the team and cheering touchline supporters.

Wells travel the long trip to Marlborough for their final game of the season on 6th April with 4th place secured and a slim chance of making 3rd should London Welsh slip up.