1st XV
Matches
Sat 07 Apr 2018  ·  London 3 Essex
Campion
30
21
Braintree Rugby Club
1st XV
Tries: D Olley, L HardinConversions: D OlleyPenalties: K Joslin, D Olley (2)
CAMPION…30 BRAINTREE…21 (London 3 Essex)

CAMPION…30 BRAINTREE…21 (London 3 Essex)

John Smillie23 Apr 2018 - 07:00
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BRAINTREE were left disappointed after their last league game of the season ended in defeat, but the black and ambers can be proud of themselves for consolidating their place in London 3 Essex.

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

CAMPION…30 BRAINTREE…21 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE were left disappointed after their last league game of the season ended in defeat, but the black and ambers can be proud of themselves for consolidating their place in London 3 Essex.
Tree finished a respectable third in a highly competitive league, and will look forward to the next campaign with relish after unearthing a fine crop of new players.
Campion kicked off up the slope and applied continuous pressure in the early part of the game without making inroads into a solid defence.
Indeed it was the visitors who drew first blood on eight minutes against the run of play when winger Keelan Joslin slotted home a penalty after a short period of possession. 3-0.
Undeterred Campion came back and pressed hard, forcing Tree to rebuff three attempts on the try line before finally drawing level from a penalty of their own on 13 minutes. 3-3.
Further pressure ensued from the homes side and they looked odds-on to score until full-back Dan Olley intercepted a loose pass on 20 minutes and ran the length of the pitch to score a fine try. 8-3.
This seemed to give the visitors the upper hand and five minutes later hooker Lloyd Hardin crashed over the line after a period of pressure on the home 22, Olley converting to stretch the lead to 15-3.
But Campion came back strongly and used their dominant line-out to good effect, catch and drive moves leading to tries in the 30th and 39th minutes, with one converted to level the scoers at half-time. 15-15.
There was more of the same from the hosts in the second half when after just three minutes another line-out win set up a drive over the line, putting them 20-15 ahead.
Braintree clawed back three points courtesy of another Olley penalty on 53 minutes only to see Campion return the favour with the boot two minutes later. 23-18.
A minute later Tree found themselves up against it after suffering a yellow card for slowing the ball down, but still managed to mount a good attack.
Unfortunately, one off-load too many saw the ball lost and Campion ran in a try from their own half, converting the score for a 30-18 lead.
Back to full strength and with enough time left Tree went on the attack, winning a penalty inside Campion’s which they kicked to redcue the deficit to 30-21.
But the home side were smart enough to slow play down and and pressurised Tree’s scrum in the closing stages to see the game out.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “It was a shame to lose our last game even though we were expecting a tough encounter against a skilful young Campion side.
“It didn’t help that we had to make eight changes to the squad from the previous game, but the back row and half-backs performed really well.
“We were up against it in the set piece and struggled to win good ball at both scrum and line-out, and without quick ball we were always going to be up against it, especially up the steep slope in the 2nd half.
“But a third place finish after promotion last season is very positive in a competitive league where anyone seemed capable of beating anyone.”
BRUFC Coach Brian Joslin added: “It was disappointing to end the season on a low note but Campion were deserved winners.
“For some reason they seemed to have a lot more appetite than us, needing as they did a win to stay in the league, whereas we weren’t going anywhere in third.
“The boys started well and built a good lead only to take their foot off the gas after the break, allowing Campion back into game.
“Although things didn’t go our way I was really proud of all the boys who stepped up at short notice and did a sterling job.
“Looking back at the season finishing third at the higher level after gaining promotion last year is a decent effort, but we know there is still a lot of work required to progress.”
BRUFC: Olley, Keelan Joslin, Young, Lee, Gough, Hine, Adams, Hemes, Hardin, Mason, T Carslake, W Turner, Benfield, Lane, Kerr. Reps: Drew, Williams, Moss.

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Apr 2018

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

London 3 Essex

League position

3
Braintree
9
Campion
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Shirt and pitchboard sponsor - PG Bones
Shirt Sponsor - G + G Gallo Enterprises Ltd
Shirt and pitchboard sponsor - Prince Recycling
Club Sponsors - Nomadic Spaces
Player Sponsor - Atlas Winch & Hoist Services
Player Sponsor - TRICONNEX
Shirt, Player & pitchboard sponsor - Nigel Brand Builders
Club supporters and sponsors including player sponsor - Splinters Catering
Club Sponsor - Jageto Embroidery
Shirt and pitchboard sponsor - Dunmow Glass
Club Sponsor - The Vine Inn
Player Sponsor - H Ellis Brickwork
Pitchboard Sponsor - Armill Lift Trucks
Sponsors of Braintree Rugby Club - EPA Consulting Structural Engineers
Pitchboard Sponsor - Tamdown
Pitchboard Sponsor - Britannia SelfStore
Pitchboard Sponsor - Andy Davidson Carpets
Pitchboard Sponsor - Caring4U
Pitchboard Sponsor - Steve Mott & Co
Health and fitness club - CHF
Pitchboard Sponsor - All Clear Skips
Shirt Sponsor - Swift Construction Group
Pitchboard Sponsor - G & M Loft Conversions
Suppliers of equipment to Braintree Rugby Club - Fenton Sports
Pitchboard Sponsor - Britannia Moovit
Player Sponsor - Essex Bodies Ltd