BRAINTREE…17 UPMINSTER…10 (London 3 Essex)

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

BRAINTREE…17 UPMINSTER…10 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE returned to winning ways at Robbs Wood on Saturday but they were made to work hard for their victory by a combative Upminster side.
Tree kicked off in bright winter sunshine and the game settled into a midfield battle from the start, with a ninth minute missed penalty from the hosts the only incident of note.
Eventually the black and ambers began to get on the front foot with solid scrummaging leading to some good possession.
But they were unable to convert their possession into points and missed another penalty as the game ebbed and flowed between the two 22s.
The deadlock was finally broken on 28 minutes when Tree were awarded another penalty which full-back Keelan Joslin slotted to edge his side 3-0 in front.
This was quickly followed by a try for outside centre Jack Lee, who barrelled over to score from close range after Joslin collected a deep kick to start a fine backs move. 8-0.
Tree then let Upminster straight back into the game when the visitors’ re-start kick was knocked on and the mistake magnified when they played in front of the knock on and gave away a penalty.
The penalty was kicked to touch and driven over the try line from the line-out, with the resultant conversion narrowing the hosts’ advantage to a single point at half-time. 8-7.
After the interval Tree continued with the majority of the possession but seemed unable to put the game to bed.
Joslin was successful with three penalties in the 54th, 60th and 70th minutes to give his side a 17-7 lead with 10 minutes to go.
But the black and ambers conspired to give away consecutive late penalties, allowing the visitors’ fly-half to drive deep into their 22 with kicks to touch.
Quick clean ball from the line-out saw Upminster’s backs move the ball through the hands to score an unconverted try in the final minute to narrow the gap to 17-12, but Tree held on.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors Daviid Gilder said: “This was the right result after a disappointing loss to Millwall.
“However, it was a slightly frustrating day with the majority of our possession not being turned into a more comprehensive win.
“We played some really good rugby, cutting through Upminster’s defences with some great support play, but failed to put them to the sword.”
Coach Brian Joslin added: “Once again we had a bit of mix and match side due to injuries and unavailability and we were still adjusting the team on Saturday morning.
“Everyone adapted as well as possible in the circumstances and I believe Upminster were in the same position otherwise it could have been even more problematic for us.
“With so many changes in both sides it was never going to be a classic. The game was strewn with errors from both sides which probably didn’t make great viewing for the spectators!
“But I was pleased with how our set piece went and both scrums and line-outs have improved immensely over last couple of games.”
Tree are without a fixture this weekend but return to Robbs Wood for a crunch London 3 Essex meeting with East London, who sit one place below them in fourth.
BRUFC: K Joslin, Gough, Lee, Young, Drew, Adams, Page, Colebrook, Hardin, Perry, Pickles, T Carslake, W Turner, Lane, Richards. Reps: Hemes, C Kerr, Williams.