MILLWALL…7 BRAINTREE…37 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2018/19 SEASON.
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MILLWALL…7 BRAINTREE…37 (London 3 Essex)

NEW Braintree head coach Jamie Clarke celebrated his first competitive game in charge with a win as the black and ambers began the new London 3 Essex season in style.
The match was switched to Hackney Marshes, better known as an iconic hotbed of amateur football, due to Millwall being unable to access their usual playing facilities.
But the change of venue didn’t phase the men from Beckers Green Road, who set about their opponents with gusto from the outset.
Having snatched possession from their own kick-off the hosts looked to set about Tree in their own 22, only for the visitors to turn the tables by securing turnover ball themselves.
Quickly running themselves out of trouble with impressive link play between the forwards and backs they launched a counter-attack that was finished off by inside centre Joe Young.
Tree were unable to take the extra points due to the try having been scored out wide but added a second after eight minutes.
Once again it was Young who crossed the line, finishing off a quick penalty move after Millwall were penalised at the scrum following a kick to touch penalty. 10-0.
Several minor errors by Tree enabled the Docklands to set about them in fits and starts for the remainder of the half but they found their opponents in resolute mood.
The visitors, looking altogether fitter and better drilled, had further chances to extend their lead but were guilty of trying to force the final pass and were unable to add to their tally.
But they started brightly in the second half, taking the game into Millwall’s 22 and forcing a penalty at the breakdown on 42 minutes.
Scrum half Keelan Joslin did the honours with the boot to set the scoreboard rolling again. 13-0.
Two minutes later Tree won a centrally positioned scrum in Millwall’s hal and fed the ball out wide to Joslin, who looped round in support to score before convering his own try. 20-0.
Things got even better for the black and ambers on 56 minutes following a pick and drive move by the forwards from the line-out following a kick to touch penalty from halfway.
With their opponents’ defence in disarray on the back foot the ball was fed out through the hands to wing Glenn Whyatt who crashed over to score. 25-0.
Try number five followed on 66 minutes when the ball was again fed wide after another solid midfield scrum for full-back Dominic Dann to join the line and score. 30-0.
The hosts eventually got some reward for their efforts on 73 minutes when they mounted a concerted attack on Tree’s 22.
The visitors conceded a couple of defensive penalties and with a player down injured were unable to prevent Millwall crossing under the posts for a converted score. 30-7.
But it was Tree who had the last word three minutes from time when their hosts conceded the latest in a succession of penalties from retreating scrums, this time just five metres out.
Opting for another scrum they drove forward, enabling stand-in number eight Jeremy Stanhope to drop on the ball for try number six, duly converted by Joslin.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “We were desperate for a good start on the back of what has probably been our best pre-season for years.
“We have seen great numbers at training, often in excess of two whole teams, and now have healthy competition for places.
“The hard work in training really paid off in this result against a side we lost to twice last year and whom we haven't previously beaten away from home.
“Our front five pressurised Millwall for the whole game, the lineouts functioned well, the backs looked sharp and the whole team put in a massive defensive performance.”
Delighted Head Coach Clarke added: “It was a really good structured performance from the lads.
“We have worked very hard all pre-season to gel as a senior squad with a playing structure across both our senior league sides.
“To go away and beat Millwall convincingly was a testament to the hard work that all the squad have put in so far this pre-season.
“We certainly won't be getting carried away though, as we know how tough this division will be, and we still have a lot to work on as we prepare for a big local derby next weekend”
Tree are back on the road again this weekend when they face local rivals Chelmsford in what promises to be a keenly contested derby encounter.
BRUFC: Dann, T Drew, Rollit-Mason, J Young, Whyatt, Adams, K Joslin, Hardin, W Turner, Prince, Mlambo, T Carslake, Pickles, J Stanhope, Moss. Reps: D Coote, Benfield, Page.
Colebrook Offshore Ltd ‘Man of the Match’ – Lloyd Hardin.