BRAINTREE…23 KINGS CROSS STEELERS…12 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2019/20 SEASON.
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BRAINTREE…23 KINGS CROSS STEELERS…12 (London 3 Essex)

BATTLING Braintree returned to winning ways at Robbs Wood on Saturday when they secured maximum points against London 3 Essex rivals Kings Cross Steelers.

Victory also meant the black and ambers retained possession of the coveted ‘White Stilleto’.

The plinth-mounted shoe has been competed for by both sides since Tree became one of the first clubs to play against the inclusive east London pioneers in 1995.

The home side started the brighter on a crisp, sunny day and sustained pressure led to a successful penalty from wing Elliott Swallow after eight minutes. 3-0.

They extended their lead on 23 minutes when a grubber kick from opposite wing James Abbott enabled full-back Glen Whyatt to touch down. 8-0.

Tree continued in the ascendancy and Swallow increased the lead further with a second try out wide and a conversion on the stroke of half-time. 15-0.

The second half didn’t start well for the visitors when they knocked on from the re-start and their own player picked the ball up from an offside position.

Swallow notched the resulting penalty to stretch the hosts lead to 18-0, but the Steelers weren’t ready to give up.

They soon upped their game and on 49 minutes got their just reward with a try. 18-5.

The score gave them momentum and a second, converted try on the hour mark reduced the deficit even further. 18-12.

Tree held their nerve though, and with 10 minutes to go Swallow made a superb break that enabled outside centre Josh Levy to make the game safe. 23-12.

BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “This was a good result against a team who were in good form coming into the game.

“Our lads gave everything and deserved the win, but we had to defend well, especially in the second half. Steelers never gave up and kept going until the end.”

Tree sit in fifth place following the win but will hope to make ground on league leaders Chelmsford when their fierce rivals this weekend.

BRUFC: Whyatt, Swallow, Levy, Dann, Abbott, Worster, Page, T Colebrook, Hardin, C Fairchild, Mlambo, M Pickles, M Benfield, Humphreys, Smillie. Reps: Culham, Wright, Doughty.