Braintree 34 - 15 East London

BRAINTREE...34 EAST LONDON...15 (Canterbury Jack Essex One)

BRILLIANT Braintree stormed back to the top of the league with a superb victory over Essex One title rivals East London at Robbs Wood on Saturday.
Having lost their first game of the season away to Ilford Wanderers the previous weekend this game was always going to be a test of character for the Black and Ambers.
But it was one they passed with flying colours as they overhauled the side who sat top of their league on the morning of the game to make a real statement of intent.
Tree’s management team had to make some tough selection decisions in the pre-match build-up, with only the veteran half-back pairing of Darren Page and Craig Willis remaining intact.
The reshuffle even featured a return to first team action of club veteran Stevie Sewell, who put down his carp-fishing rods to answer the call of the scrum before giving a virtuoso performance at hooker.
Their single-mindedness was rewarded though as they started the match in scintillating style, with early pressure leading to a line-out deep in the opposition half.
Tree won possession and a swift move ended with number eight John Smillie crashing over to score after only four minutes. 5-0.
Straight from the re-start the home side gathered decisively and ran the ball back at East London’s shell-shocked lines, with outside centre Liam Evans touching down for try number two. 10-0.
Tree kept up the pressure and their relentless onslaught paid further dividends on 15 minutes when Willis toom possession from a line-out and fed full-back Tom Drew for a score that was converted by Page. 17-0.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic though and East London grabbed a foot-hold in the game three minutes later, playing to their strengths by executing a text book driving maul leading to a converted try. 15-7.
But it was Tree who continued to set the pace, seizing possession back after losing a line-out from their own put-in on 31 minutes to score try number four courtesy of a powerful run from winger James Moore. 22-7.
It was the visitors who had the final say in the first half though, keeping their hosts on their toes with a second, unconverted try of their own. 22-12.

And it was East London who recorded the first points of the second half, reducing the deficit to 22-15 with a 48th minute penalty.
The match then became rather scrappy until the hour mark when inside centre Joss Adams broke away and showed the visitors’ defence a clean pair of heels, skipping around several attempted tackles to score try number five. 27-12.
And it was that man Adams who sealed victory for Tree moments before the final whistle, taking possession from a home scrum to scythe through the midfield to score his second, Willis converting for a fine 34-15 victory

BRUFC Chairman of Selectors David Gilder said: “It was a massive improvement from last week when we looked rusty after the Christmas break.
“From being under pressure at the scrum last week we secured our own ball relentlessly on Saturday and took two balls against the head from a forward-oriented opposition.
“Our line-out also functioned well, providing good possession which led to some good driving mauls.
“When in possession and on the front foot ball the back line were decisive with our back three entering the line to good effect.”

Manager Brian Joslin added: “It was a great win secured by an awesome team effort from all 18 players. We were amazing in attack and defence and it was a well-deserved victory.
“Second rows Wes Apps and Dan Johnson both had strong games and James Moore was the pick of the backs, proving a threat on the wing all game.
“We need to take this performance into the last six games and if we do we’ve got every chance of winning promotion.”

BRUFC: Drew (Crane), Whyatt, Evans, Adams, J Moore, Willis, Page, Halford, Sewell, Baker (Perry), Johnson, Apps, Spearman (Fitzearle), Carslake, Smillie.