Under 11's retain the cup at Southend Elite Festival.

In pool 2 made of 5 teams, Braintree's under 11's opening match against rivals Colchester was hard fought. Despite solid play from the opposition , Braintree kept pushing up until with help from Sam Ball, Max Barnes-Grimes carried the ball over the line for the only try of the match. Final score Braintree 5, Colchester 0.

Match two saw Braintree produce some excellent team work all round, supporting each other to produce a series of tries against Old Brentwoods. On the Brentwood try line to prevent a turnover ball, the ball was spun out to Jack Raine, who duly popped it over the line. The next try came from an identically cheeky move, this time a try from Mack Darroch cutting back inside. Solid play ensued with more tries form Oscar Letch and Max Barnes-Grimes resulting in a final score line of Braintree 20 to Old Brentwoods 5.

Head coach Jamie retained the same starting 9 for the third match of the festival against a Rochford, a side that we thought would be our biggest test of the pool and again the battle was hard fought. With the scores level at one each, the second half saw Nathan Bossert pop the ball out of the scrum to the backs, who held a steep line and training set-ups kicked in. The lads passed the ball down the line with confidence giving Sam Waud the opportunity to put it over the line to win the match Braintree 10, Rochford 5.

The fourth and final pool match was against unknowns Old Elthamians. The win was decisive and was Braintree's best game. Fresh legs started and play returned to the usual festival standard. Old Elthamians tried hard, but saw very little of the ball with Braintree constantly pushing up the field. The usual Braintree suspects scored with a number of the Sams assisting! The final score was a neat Braintree 25 and Old Elthamians 0.

It was a wait to the festival final and Brentwood, winners of their four team pool, were set to be the opposition. Braintree play was more of the same with some cracking tackles given and received. A single try settled the score, for another Braintree victory. Well Played Boys! Jack (junior reporter)