OLD COOPERIANS…21 BRAINTREE…45 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2018/19 SEASON.
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OLD COOPERIANS…21 BRAINTREE…45 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE maintained their early season momentum with a convincing victory over an under-strength Old Cooperians side at Upminster on Saturday.

Tree were determined to put in a good performance for club captain Joss Adams after he suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles injury during the victory over Canvey Island the previous weekend.

But it was the home side who created all the early pressure as they capitalised on poor kicking from the visitors to mount a series of attacks.

Tree weathered the storm though, and soon began turning the tables on their hosts, capitalising on a poor kick themselves to launch a lightning quick move which saw outside centre Joe Young score under the posts.

Young’s fellow centre Rob Oakley then kicked the resulting conversion to give his side a 7-0 lead.

But Old Coops responded immediately and a quick tap penalty saw their dangerous full-back jink through a series of challenges to score a converted try of his own. 7-7.

Realising the dangers of kicking to the home side, Tree’s backs began to keep hold of the ball and gradually got on top, with their forwards causing all sorts of problems at the scrum.

After another powerful drive, a quick feed from scrum-half Darren Page released full back Dominic Dann who scored out wide on 22 minutes. 12-7.

Tree’s pack were now enjoying themselves and after 35 minutes a powerful run and lay-off by Tinash Mlambo saw number eight Dylan Moss crash over, with Oakley converting. 19-7.

Old Coops started to wilt and the rampaging Moss took full advantage to score again moments later, although Oakley was unable to add the extra points this time. 24-7.

On the stroke of half-time skipper for the day Page got in on the act from a penalty, darting through to score and enabling Oakley to kick his side into a 31-7 interval lead.

The game went to uncontested scrums for the second half at the request of the hosts, who had seen injury deprive them of several specialist forwards.

But despite kicking off with just 14 men this suited their kick and chase tactics and they scored a converted try early in the second period to reduce the deficit to 31-14.

Tree weathered the resulting storm thanks to some some excellent defending and after adapting to the new scenario stand-off Dan Olley scored a deserved try, Oakley’s boot successfully extending their lead to 38-14.

The game then descended into deadlock until winger Fergus Rollit-Mason score out wide, with Oakley’s excellent kick making it 45-14.

There was still time for Old Coops to take advantage of some sloppy defending late on to score a final converted try to reduce the arrears to 21-45.

BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “I thought we gave a very dominant performance today. We stuck to our game plan and were in control throughout.

“Had we not gone to uncontested scrums for the second half due to injuries in their front row the score would have been even more emphatic.”

BRUFC: Dann, T Drew, J Young, Oakley, Rollit-Mason, D Olley, Page, D Coote, Hardin, Prince, T Carslake, Mlambo, M Pickles, J Stanhope, Moss. Reps: Meade, W Turner, Colebrook.

Colebrook Offshore man of the match: Joe Young.