BRAINTREE…39 MALDON…8 (London 3 Essex)

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

BRAINTREE…39 MALDON…8 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE recorded their second impressive win in a row as they put visitors Maldon to the sword with a clinical display.
Tree kicked off and from the get go it was clear that the men from the Blackwater Estuary had put their faith in their forwards’ trademark ‘pick and drive’ game.
But they came up against a black and ambers defence that was determined not to give them an inch and found themselves unable to get out of their own half.
The pressure eventually told, open-side flanker Charlie Marsden winning a turn-over and feeding the ball wide for winger Tom Drew to score unconverted in the corner. 5-0.
Maldon never roll ever against their local rivals and quickly played their way into Tree’s half, exerting five minutes of pressure.
Tree withstood the onslaught and on 16 minutes, with play centre field and the visitors still in possession, Marsden again ripped the ball free in contact.
Once again quick hands by the backs opened up the Maldon defence and fly-half Dominic Dann touched down for try number two. 10-0.
Tree didn’t have it all their own way though and their opponents reduced the deficit with a penalty on 25 minutes. 10-3.
But just after the half hour Maldon’s full-back was caught in possession after a good kick and chase.
Pressure from the chasing pack and several good phases of play saw prop Jamie Prince power his way owner for a third try. 15-3.
Moments before the break centre and stand-in skipper James Abbott made a strong break after a midfield scrum.
Pick and drive play by the forwards carried the ball all the way to the Maldon line, with blindside flanker Jeremy Stanhope scoring and Joe Young converting. 22-3 (HT).
After the break it was more of the same with Marsden launching a strong run into the Maldon 22.
Fly-half Dann kept the move going to create a ruck on the try line, with Young joining the forward melee to score a fifth try before converting his own score. 29-3.
Stalemate then ensued temporarily as Maldon dug in and thwarted the black and ambers’ attempts to add to their tally.
The visitors’ doggedness paid off on the hour mark when they scored a try directly from a catch and drive line-out move. 29-8.
But just five minutes later another solid centre field scrum saw Marsden, now playing at number eight, picking up to put winger Joe Meade in for try number six. 34-8.
The last play of the game saw a seventh home try for replacement back row forward Will Humphreys, still an academy player and getting the biggest cheer of the day.
A strong driving maul from a successful line-out in Maldon’s 22 saw Humphreys getting his hands on the ball to finish both the move and the game.
BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “I was really pleased with the manner of our victory. We put in a good defensive performance to negate Maldon’s tactics.
“We didn’t hit the offensive heights of our win at Barking the previous week offensively but we were comfortable and deserved winners.”
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder added: “It wasn’t the prettiest game but we got the bonus point win.
“Our defensive performance was awesome, completely nullifying Maldon's pick and drive game.
“Our scoring ultimately won us the points but it was very much on the back of the defensive display. Everyone stepped up and put in a shift.”
The Colebrook Offshore Man of the Match Award went to flanker Charlie Marsden for the second week running.
Tree will hope to make it three wins in a row this weekend when they entertain old rivals Chelmsford in yet another north Essex derby.
BRUFC: Whyatt, J Meade, Abbott, J Young, T Drew, Dann, K Joslin, T Colebrook, Hardin, Prince, Richards, M Pickles, J Stanhope, C Marsden, Pailegutu. Reps: B Colebrook, Page, Humphreys.