Under 11's Resounding Victory Over Visitors Upper Clapton

In two games of 20 minutes each way, Braintree powered through Upper Clapton's defence keeping the ball in the visitor's half to win both matches.

A minute of silence reverberated around the pitches, when the entire club honoured those who have given their lives for our freedom at 11am on this bright and sunny Remembrance Sunday morning.

Match 1 was a win from the off. Upper Clapton were unable to open their score line. Braintree's Under 11's were outstanding, and in the opening minutes lovely passing put the ball in Alfie Hume's hands and he pushed through a weak defensive line to open the scoring.

The restart saw the ball being turned over form the starting kick and the ball being passed the width of the pitch into the hands of Jack Raine who competently increased the score to 10/0. Braintree did not let the pressure off despite some shoving from Upper Clapton Braintree kept their heads and continued to communicate. A fantastic try was scored when GEaorge Clarke picked the ball out of the ruck with ease, and the ball was seamlessly passed out to Max Barnes-Grimes, driven further up the pitch by Samuel Everitt, before being passed to steadfast Nathan Bossert for try number 4. The restart saw a repeat of almost the same action. The boys just kept on going, faultlessly setting themselves up to score try after try, with half time seeing Braintree 35 to Upper Clapton's nil.

The second half saw fresh legs for Braintree and despite a hesitant start, with Upper Clapton holding onto the ball, Braintree's tackling was too much for them. Possession returned to Braintree, as did their ability to connect and pass the ball out to the wing where Matthew Brooks powered down the line to score the opener of the half. Again a repeat of the action with Sam Smith and Matthew Brooks performing well in rucks to win back control of the ball, giving Arthur McCann the opportunity to run the length of the pitch and while tackled at the 22, possession was not lost for long and tries just kept on coming. An amazing box kick from Jack Raine in the closing minutes set him up to score the final try of the match with Braintree winning 55 to Upper Clapton's nil.

The second match saw a stronger start from Upper Clapton, but Braintree remained determined and unforgiving. Sam Ball opened the scoring and Braintree's fluidity of passing returned. Mack Darroch and Nathan Bossert would not let Upper Clapton through their defences and with Upper Clapton intercepting and turning the ball over on their try line, Braintree's boys determination won it back in flash, passing it all the way along the line to be popped over by Jack Raine, putting them 15 to nil up at half time.

Changes were again made at half time and with some great tackling from Sam Smith and excellent passing all round, the second half began with a solid try from Sam Waud. Harry Ridgwell dug in and created an oppoturnity that although resulted in a little bit of toing and froing of possession, found the ball in Harvey Dawson's hands. He duly ran it over the line to score the fifth try of the match.

With Braintree needing to make five passes before a try was to be allowed, it was hard going. However, Braintree remained firm and the match was fast paced. Despite Upper Clapton seing an opportunity to win the ball back and beigin an excellent run, Braintree immediately responded and won back control and pulled their socks up. With fast, accurate passing and excellent driving, Braintree secured a further try from Thomas Humphries. With the score at 30 to Upper Clapton's nil, Braintree let their guard down in the final moments of the match and errors in their defence let Upper Clapton through and a determined Upper Clapton made their only try of the morning closing the game Braintree 30, Upper Clapton 5.

A fantastic morning of rugby from Braintree and a determined Upper Clapton just kept on going! Well done to all.