Cleve 19 v Bracknell 21

Bracknell skipper Ben Nowak believed there were many positives to be taken out of Saturday’s last-gasp defeat of Cleve – most important being the players’ never-say-die attitude.

Despite some good kicking from Nowak and a try from Nico Maybury, Bracknell trailed 19-16 heading towards the final whistle.

However, one last effort saw Bracknell force a try through Graham Sparks to clinch the win, and Nowak insists the side need more of the same as the season progresses.

“To come down here and win at a tough place to visit – there are not many sides that do that,” said Nowak.

“We are back on track and look forward to our first home match next Saturday.

“Our set pieces improved and there is still more to do, but I’m especially proud how we had the guts to hold on.”

Player coach Chris Sheasby insists that his side must tighten up defensively if they are to go one better this season and claim promotion from South West Division 1.

“We conceded an average of 13 points per game last year and so far this season it has been 22,” he said.

“It’s things like this that are letting us down and we have now got to restrict teams back down to the level of last season.”