A worthwhile journey into the unknown

Braintree Black 9 vs. Woodbridge 1st 3
(Eliot Jones, Michael Locke 2)

Braintree took the initiative from the start in this game. A good early move that retained possession through 3 phases was thwarted just short of the line. However, from a scrum just minutes later Eliot Jones scored the first try, Braintree having moved the ball well along the line.

Braintree conceded straight from the re-start, as appears to be de rigeur in at least one match every week. Despite this setback Braintree got on the front foot again when Micheal Locke's cross field run ended in him touching down in the right hand corner. This time the re-start was successfully defended. Braintree's defence continued to apply pressure to the opposition resulting in Michael Locke intercepting a pass to score his second try.

Oliver Everitt had to be substituted at half time having sustained a nasty blow to his cheek.

The second half was scoreless but tense and far from uneventful. Braintree's defence held firm, not allowing Woodbridge to develop any attacks while similarly enthusiastic tackling from the home side prevented Braintree from adding to their lead.

Braintree Amber 18 vs Woodbridge 2nd 6
(Tristan Smith, Eliot Jones, Alex Williamson 2, Freddie Moss Prout, Callum Thompson)

Braintree opened the scoring with a Tristan Smith try after good defensive pressure prevented the home side from escaping their own line. Ben Cakebread almost added a second try following a good switch after a Braintree scrum but was denied by a last ditch Woodbridge tackle. Eliot Jones extended Braintree's lead with a try that came from turning over the ball on the Woodbridge line. Alex Williamson scored Braintree's third try, totally bamboozling the Woodbridge defence with an excellent dummy has he ran in from halfway. Alex added a second try just before half time.

Braintree almost opened the second half with a try, Freddie Moss Prout picking the ball up from a breakdown and breaking through the Woodbridge defence. A covering Woodbridge defender stopped him just short of the line. The home side came close to scoring in a similar fashion but Michael Locke's pace allowed him to get back and make a try saving tackle. Braintree extended their lead when Freddie Moss Prout made the most of pressure applied to the Woodbridge defence to score. Woodbridge got on the score sheet with a try that came from their player breaking Braintree's defensive line from a maul. Callum Thompson completed Braintree's scoring with a run in from halfway. With the last play of the match Woodbridge got their second try.

Both Braintree teams showed the benefit of having competitive matches on two out of three Sundays. From the off they pressed well in defence and passed the ball effectively in attack, reaping the reward in both games. Woodbridge looked dangerous in patches but couldn't deal with Braintree's diligent defence

Woodbrige's pitches benefit from the excellent drainage of the sandy Suffolk heathland. The firmer ground and absence of mud contributed to two absorbing and fast paced games.