SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS...68 BRAINTREE...7 (London North East Two)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2014/15 SEASON.
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SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS...68 BRAINTREE...7 (London North East Two)

BRAINTREE’s status as a London North East Two side is already looking under serious threat after they suffered a humiliating sixth successive defeat of the season on Saturday.
The black and ambers travelled to South Woodham Ferrers with high hopes after their encouraging performance against Rochford the weekend before.
But they were put to the sword in ruthless fashion and joint coaches Gary Coote, Brian Joslin and Darren Page must be scratching their heads as to what they can do to put things right.
Despite losing two of their proposed starting 15 to freak injuries prior to kick-off Tree still took to the field with a solid looking side more than capable of grabbing a result.
So it was more than a little disappointing when they reverted to type as traditionally slow starters to concede two quick converted tries at the hands of SWF’s number eight in the fourth and sixth minutes, both from driving mauls.
Things went from bad to worse on 16 minutes when one of the home side’s wing forwards crashed over for try number three, enabling their full-back to kick the third of his nine successful conversions for a 21-0 lead.
There was some relief when SWF had a man yellow carded for failing to release a tackled player and on 26 minutes a powerful run by number eight John Smillie from the back of a scrum let flanker Wes Apps in to crash over for Tree’s solitary try of the afternoon.

Kingsley Joslin kicked the extra points to reduce the arrears to 21-7 but the hosts added two further tries, one convrted and one missed, to take a 33-7 interval lead.
After the break it was more one way traffic as SWF followed up an early converted try by scoring another on the break after a Tree attack ended with a dropped ball when it seemed easier to score. That was also converted for 47-7.
A yellow card for replacement back George Crane for a tackle infringement didn’t help Tree’s cause as they quickly conceded another try to a gathered kick through. 54-7.
Apps was then also sin-binned along with the home side’s replacement prop following a dust-up and SWF added two further converted tries for a convincing 68-7 victory.
Joint Coach Joslin said: “We didn’t have a good day. We travelled full of optimism after a good performance the week before but we were soon brought back down to earth.
“South Woodham are a strong side and they totally outplayed us. To make matters worse our cause wasn't helped by a couple of key players crying off at the eleventh hour due to injuries.
“We struggled to contain their big pack which made for a long afternoon and we went on to pick up injuries to three further key players to add to our woes, but none of that detracts from the fact that our opponents were well worthy of the win.
“On the plus side for us Dan Olley tackled hard all afternoon, Joss Adams looked a threat when we managed to get the ball to him and Mikey Benfield came off the bench and made an impact.
“There was a lot of soul-searching after the match,with every one in agreement that our standards need to improve fast as we have another tough game this weekend.”
Tree return to Robbs Wood on Saturday when Diss make the journey down from south Norfolk for what promises to be another tricky afternoon for the Black and Ambers.
BRUFC: Dawson, Abbott, Adams, Brand (Crane), Gale, Olley, Joslin, Robertson, Baker (Hardin), Perry, Lanham (Benfield), Fitzearle, Apps, Carslake, Smillie.