BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2014/15 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.
BRAINTREE...20 ROCHFORD HUNDRED...32 (London North East Two)
BATTLING Braintree remain bottom of London NE2 after slumping to their fifth successive defeat against a strong Rochford side at Robbs Wood on Saturday.
But the Black and Ambers produced what was arguably their best performance of the season to date, giving their coaching staff and fans a glimmer of hope that they can rediscover their confidence and start putting points on the board.
The key to Tree’s improved showing was their tougher defensive display and they were able to force numerous mistakes from their opponents by exerting constant pressure when not in possession.
Tree took a 7th minute lead when number eight John Smillie picked up at the back of a scrum on Rochford’s 10m line and bludgeoned through two challenges before offloading to fly-half Kingsley Joslin who executed a sweet dummy to score a try he converted himself.
On 14 minutes the home side extended their lead to 14-0 when winger James Abbott intercepted a loose looped pass as the visitors pressed for a reply and raced clear to score under the posts, Joslin converting the score.
Rochford were stung into action though and hit back two minutes later when scrum-half Brett Smith scored a converted try to reduce the deficit to 14-7.
The men from south Essex clawed back more ground with a successful penalty kick after Tree were caught offside at a ruck and then took a 17-14 lead courtesy of a converted try from flanker Jake Knowles.
But the sides went in level at the break thanks to a penalty from Joslin which proved to be the last action of the half.
It was the visitors who struck first after the interval with a strong driving maul from a line-out in Tree’s 22 enabling number eight Scott Horsburgh to score and give his side a 22-17 lead.
The home side rung the changes with Wes Apps, Jack Lee and James Jones coming on, but Jones was yellow carded on 66 minutes for an offence at the ruck and Rochford potted the resulting penalty to extend their lead to 25-17.
Joslin’s boot clawed it back to 25-20 on 75 minutes but Rochford killed off the game almost immediately, after a driving maul from a penalty to touch and line-out enabled Horsburgh to grab his second try of the game, the conversion giving his side a 32-20 win.
After the game BRUFC Joint Coach Brian Joslin said: “This was a much better performance from the boys and even though we lost again the game was a lot closer than the result suggests.
“I was really proud of them this week as there were lots of positives. We had good numbers in training the week prior and lots of selection options for a change so we’re all hoping we can turn a corner now and push on.”
Tree face another tough task, and another Essex derby next weekend when they travel to South Woodham Ferrers in search of that elusive first win.
BRUFC: Page, Gale, Dawson, Adams, J Abbott, Olley, Joslin, Baker, Halford, Perry, Fitzearle, Carslake, Spearman, Stephens, Smillie. Reps: Lee, Jones, Apps.