CLACTON…10 BRAINTREE…26 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2017/18 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

CLACTON…10 BRAINTREE…26 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE banished the bad memories of their defeat to bottom side Mavericks seven days earlier with a hard fought victory which took them back up to third in London 3 Essex.
The black and ambers’ win was all the sweeter for the fact that six of their academy players featured in the match day squad due to injuries and unavailability.
Tree were forced to defend hard for the first 20 minutes as the larger Clacton pack threw their weight around, but the home side’s big men eventually started to tire.
Brian Joslin’s young side were able to move the ball wide and use their superior pace, resulting in a fine try from full-back Tom Drew. 5-0.
Both sides struggled to assert their authority for the next 15 minutes until Tree extended their lead courtesy of Dan Olley’s boot after the visitors were awarded a penalty in front of the Clacton posts. 8-0.
The second started the same as the first with Tree on the back foot, and their lead was reduced on 50 minutes when the home side kicked a penalty of their own. 8-3.
But Joslin’s young charges went on the offensive straight from the restart and after numerous phases of play flanker Matt Pickles scored a fine try in the right hand corner. 13-3.
Clacton came back hard and put Tree under pressure again, resulting in their tight-head prop powering over from close range for a converted try on 65 minutes. 13-10.
Tree’s response was encouragingly positive and they took the game to their rapidly tiring opponents in the last 15 minutes.
Ten minutes from time Pickles took a quick tap penalty five metres out and powered over for his second try, with Olley kicking the conversion. 20-10.
The visitors didn’t let up as the clock ticked down and were able to stretch their lead courtesy of two late penalties from Olley. 26-10.
A delighted Joslin said: “It was an excellent effort from a very young side and the six lads from the academy who stepped up put in a massive shift, but I was really pleased with the whole squad’s effort.
“Everyone in a black and amber shirt gave 100 per cent in attack and defence against a more experienced and physically larger Clacton side.
“It was a very rewarding win for me personally, having coached 10 of the players in the starting line-up from minis and youth level. It was a big gamble fielding such a young side but the lads did amazingly well.”
Tree now have Christmas and New Year off and return to action on January 13 when they entertain local rivals Maldon at Robbs Wood.
BRUFC: Drew, A Young, Eveleigh, Mead, Evans, Olley, Keelan Joslin, Colebrook, W Turner, Perry, T Carslake, Mlambo, Pickles, Benfield, C Kerr. Reps: Abbott, H Stanhope, Neil.