Straight from the kick off Thorney put the pressure on, keeping Brackley pinned in their own 22m for the first 15 minutes but couldn’t get on the scoreboard. Whilst Brackley at times looked dangerous getting behind the hosts’ defensive line which created holes, the Thorney scrum was dominant, giving them clean ball and disrupting Brackley’s throughout the match. Brackley however showed strong defence, despite at times being pinned on their own 5m line they repelled the hosts’ attacks clearly frustrating Thorney who started giving penalties away, which Dan Gray took advantage of slotting the first three points of the match.

Brackley were able to continue this change of momentum for the rest of the first half, playing the game solely in Thorney’s half of the pitch. However handling errors and strong defence from the home side stopped Brackley getting any continuity going but Thorney struggled to get out, allowing the visitors to keep the pressure on. Finally Brackley were able to make the breakthrough, after a break from Thorney’s 10m line set a good platform, the ball went through the hands with full back Seb Johnson on the end to score the opening try, which was converted by Dan Gray, giving Brackley a 10-0 lead at half time.

The start of the second half was much like the first as Brackley found themselves on the back foot straight away. Thorney came out with purpose and were very direct with their play, then once they got behind Brackley’s defence, the visitors found it hard to keep their line, eventually leading to Thorney crossing for their first try. From the kick off Thorney were piling the pressure on again, with Brackley seeming unable to lift themselves and get back into the game during the first 20 minutes of the half, which Thorney capitalised on by going over for their second, which they converted to make it 12-10.

This try brought Brackley back to life and suddenly there was a sense of urgency in the visitors play as they showed the continuity from the end of the first half. Brackley kept the pressure on and with 18 minutes left of the game, a good interaction between the forwards and backs allowed Seb Johnson to go blindside and crash over for his second try giving Brackley a 15-12 lead. Thorney came firing back going direct down the centre of the pitch and forced Brackley to give away a few penalties, however Brackley’s fitness and defensive determination kept them at bay. With the game in the last 10 minutes, everyone was on the edge of their seats as Brackley got their continuity going again and started keeping their play a lot tighter as the clock ticked down and there was nothing Thorney could do as the final whistle went, much to Brackley’s relief.

This was a solid start away from home for Brackley who will look to improve this coming Saturday when they host Wellingborough O.G’s in what will be a triple header of matches at Nightingale Close with the under 17’s and 2nd XV also in action.