Abbey's Clarke bags four tries as visitors are put to sword

ABBEY secured a bonus point victory over a young but competitive Bracknell side on an overcast afternoon at Rosehill last Saturday.

The home side scored some spectacular tries with winger Brendan Clarke powering over four times, while all-action prop Zac Mayo ran 30 metres up the touchline for a memorable second half score in their Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern North Division clash.

Abbey took the lead after seven minutes when a pass from number eight Alex Langton released Clarke for a 40-metre burst to the line. He bumped two potential defenders out of his way on a devastating run and there was no stopping him. The conversion was missed, but Abbey stretched their lead to 12-0 with a penalty try which resulted in Bracknell’s number eight Ryan Smith being sin-binned.

While Smith was off the field the visitors scored their first points when hooker Josh Peacock crossed for a try which skipper Billy Massingham converted. Smith scored himself as soon as he returned to the field, but Massingham missed a simple conversion which would have given his side the lead.

After this, a long pass from outside half Reuben Norville sent Clarke off on another powerful run to the line, scattering defenders en route. A further Norville pass resulted in Clarke powering away for his hat trick and Abbey’s bonus point try, and the home side led 22-12 at the break.

Clarke scored his fourth try soon after the break, and flanker Matt Campbell touched down under the posts for a try which skipper Sol Wallis-Robinson converted.

Bracknell came back into the game with another try from Smith, Massingham adding the extras, but Abbey settled the result with Mayo’s brilliant 30-metre effort.

In final play a converted try from prop Jack Tann gave Bracknell a bonus point. Abbey now have a week off before facing a challenging fixture at Buckingham.