ILFORD WANDERERS…38 BRAINTREE…12 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2018/19 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

ILFORD WANDERERS…38 BRAINTREE…12 (London 3 Essex)

Braintree slumped to their fourth defeat of the season and now lie 16 points off the pace in London 3 Essex following a disappointing display in east London on Saturday.
The black and ambers management team were looking for a reaction following the shock home defeat to King’s Cross Steelers a week earlier.
But Tree still looked out of sorts as they were well beaten by an organised home side that took their opportunities in ruthless fashion.
The visitors kicked off playing up the slope and against the wind, and when their opening kick went straight into touch it seemingly set the tone for the day.
Ilford went straight on the attack from the resulting centre field scrum and had opened the scoring within two minutes via a converted try after taking advantage of some shocking tackling. 0-7.
Twenty minutes of constant pressure followed, with Ilford increasing their lead on eight minutes after Tree conceded a penalty at a line-out.
A quick tap ensued and the home side touched down swiftly to score their second, although they were unsuccessful with the conversion this time. 0-12.
Further disaster followed on 19 minutes when Tree gave away the softest try of the day as they attempted to defend an attacking scrum on their 22.
The ball was passed to Ilford’s blindside winger who strolled in to score without a hand being laid on him, the conversion giving the hosts a 19-0 lead.
Tree eventually started to play their way into the game and build some pressure, twice forcing Ilford to concede penalties which saw them lose two men to the sin bin.
Right at the end of the half number eight Neil Richards finally raised the visitors’ hopes when he crashed over to score an uncoverted try. 5-19 at half-time.
At the start of the second half and still two men down Ilford somehow managed to work an overlap out wide and scored their fourth try, converting for a 26-5 lead.
Twelve minutes later and now back to full strength they scored try number five from a basic catch and drive move direct from a line-out. 5-31.
Tree finally hit back on 64 minutes when second row Tinashe Mlambo took a quick tap penalty and scored a try that was converted by fly-half Rob Oakley, but it was too little too late. 12-31.
The last say went deservedly to the home side as a long kick into Tree’s 22 was dropped before being gathered up and carried over the line, the resulting conversion making it 38-12.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder summed up the mood in the camp when he said: “It was a thoroughly disappointing day.
“We had hoped to get back to winning ways against another mid-table side, but we weren’t able to select some key players due to injury and were forced to take a very young side to Ilford.
“The lads who stepped up from the second team all put in maximum effort and performed as well as the more experienced players, but it was a poor team performance all round.
“Our usual line speed and strong defence was missing and we looked toothless in attack.
“After being under the cosh for the first 20 minutes we did fight our way in to the game, and after scoring against the slope and elements late in the half we hoped for a resurgence.
“Unfortunately it didn't happen and it was a performance and a day we want to forget and need to put behind us as soon as possible.”
Tree are without a game this weekend but return to London 3 Essex action at Robbswood on Saturday 17th November when they entertain Campion.
BRUFC: O Swallow, T Drew, J Young, Oakley, Whyatt, E Swallow, K Joslin, Colebrook, Hardin, Prince, T Carslake, Mlambo, C Marsden, J Stanhope, Richards. Reps: Perry, Rollit-Mason, Humphreys.