BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2017/18 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.
BRAINTREE…34 EAST LONDON…17 (London 3 Essex)
BRAINTREE kept up the pressure on the London 3 Essex leaders with a fine victory at home to East London in a game which had seemed certain to fall victim to the weather.
The second coming of the Beast from the East had left the Robbs Wood pitch covered in snow, but a sterling effort from Tree’s ground staff persuaded the referee to pass the surface fit for play.
And their endeavours were rewarded as Tree cut the gap between themselves and second-placed Millwall to nine points as the Docklands side suffered a shock away defeat to Maldon.
Tree kicked off with the wind and horizontal snow at their backs and went straight onto the front foot.
Awarded an early penalty for a high tackle, fly-half Joss Adams kicked to touch and a clean take at the line-out saw the ball worked back to the 10 who crashed over for a try which was converted by Keelan Joslin. 7-0
Three minutes later a centre field scrum saw a massive shove by the home eight which drove the opposition pack back a full 10 metres.
A good break by scrum-half Darren Page led to the ball finding its way out wide to wing Ben Gough who outstripped defence to touch down. 12-0.
Rampant Tree went 19-0 up after just nine minutes when East London were pushed off their own scrum ball and flanker Reece Lane raced in to score.
The shell shocked visitors eventually managed to build a spell of pressure against the wind following some sloppily conceded penalties.
On 16 minutes, with play moving into Tree’s 22 a clearance kick by Joslin was charged down and good follow up play led to a converted try for the visitors. 19-7.
But six minutes later Joslin redeemed himself for the charged down kick with a great try, leaving the visitors’ defence standing as he collected a chip through. 24-7.
And it was looking ominous for the visitors five minutes later when Gough got his second score of the afternoon.
A strong run through the centre of the field by captain John Smillie after picking up from the base of a scrum saw the ball worked wide to the winger who was far too quick to be stopped. 29-7.
Tree finished the first half strongly as another good scrum and pick up from the base of a scrum led to outside centre Joe Young finishing the move with try number six for a 34-7 interval lead.
Cups of tea laid were laid on for the players and the ref in the changing rooms at half time in a bid to combat the bitter cold.
From the restart it was soon obvious how much the wind and driving snow had shaped the outcome of the first half.
The home side continued to work hard but scored no more points, whereas East London rose to the challenge and played some good rugby, making their opponents’ defence work really hard.
On 52 minutes they scored a great try with a cross-field kick gathered and touched down by their winger. 34-12.
And 10 minutes later a succession of penalties and a yellow card for Tree eventually led to a third try for visitors. 34-17.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “It was touch and go whether the snow would mean the match being postponed for the second time.
“However, we really wanted to get this one out of the way and were able to after sterling work by Jamie Clarke and Tony Kirby who spent three hours clearing the lines of snow.
“We were concerned that the atmosphere was a bit flat before the game due to the conditions,but the players showed great fortitude and raised themselves to start very strongly and dominate the first half.
“The buffer of points enough to see us through even though we didn't manage to score into the teeth of the snow storm in the second half.
“A brilliant scrummaging performance by the forwards won us loads of ball and the backs managed to keep their hands warm enough to catch the important passes and run in some good tries.
“It was a very satisfying win in front of the smallest home crowd of the season in awful conditions to strengthen our place in third.
“But all due credit to East London for raising their game in the second half and making a real contest of it.”
Coach Brian Joslin added: “I was amazed the fixture went ahead! Respect to Jamie and Tony for getting the pitch playable.
“I was proud of how the players got themselves motivated for this match in such cold conditions. It was our best first half performance of the season to date.
“After a short sharp warm up they took East London apart from the kick-off. We realised the second half was going to be more testing playing into the wind and snow and so it was.
“From being awesome in attack in the first half we went to being awesome in defence. It was a great effort in very difficult conditions that got worst as game went on.”
Tree are back in London 3 Essex action this Saturday when they entertain bottom club Mavericks looking to close the gap on Millwall further still.
Braintree’s second string also have a big game coming up as they travel to face Basildon IIs in the League Two Cup Semi-Final.
BRUFC: Joslin, Young, Gough, Dann, Drew, Adams, Page, Colebrook, Hardin, Perry, Apps, W Turner, Lane, Benfield, Smillie. Reps: Rossouw, Richards, Nel.