'A' team win plate

Group stage

Braintree A

Braintree's first game was against well fancied Thurrock. Braintree had most of the first half possession but didn't really threaten the Thurrock line. Likewise Thurrock weren't causing the Braintree defence too many problems either. However Thurrock started the second half more strongly but Braintree were able to withstand the pressure for several minutes. Thurrock came close to an opening try in the corner but their player was put into touch just before the line. Braintree found it hard to break out of defence and Thurrock scored the only try of the game shortly before the final whistle.

Braintree then took on Westcliff B team and opened the scoring early in the first half through Flynn Macgregor whose weaving run finished off a good passing move. Westcliff equalised with a run from deep following a line out in their own half. Michael Locke restored Braintree's lead with a long run round the outside of the Westcliff defence after a Braintree attacking scrum. Tristain Smith made an impressive break through the Westcliff defence early in the second half, unfortunately Braintree weren't able to finish it off with a score. However Eliot Jones made the scoreline more comfortable with a third Braintree try when he picked the ball up from the back of a Braintree scrum and ran in to score.

Braintree's third game was against Wendons Ambo, who opened the scoring in the first half with a long individual run round the outside of Braintree's defence. Cameron Tanner scored from close range after Tristain Smith had once again broken through the majority of the opposition's defence. Neither team were on top in the remainder of the first half but Braintree started the second half strongly and kept the pressure up. However, it took Ben Weager diving over from close range with the final act of the game to bring a Braintree victory.

With second place in the group at stake Braintree lined up against Harlow for their final group game. After a cagey opening few minutes good Braintree pressure caused confusion in the Harlow defence and Eliot Jones was able to pick up the ball and run in to open the scoring. Braintree kept up the pressure for the remainder of the first half but weren't able to add to the score before half time. Early in the second half Braintree extended their lead when Harlow committed almost their entire team to a maul only to see the ball come back on the Braintree side. Ben Weager received the ball after it was moved on quickly and he jinked in from ten metres out. Braintree applied more pressure to the Harlow line, but with some loud vocal encouragement ringing in their ears, Harlow held out to prevent any more Braintree scores. The narrow victory was enough however to see Braintree A through to the plate final.

Braintree B

Braintree B team started with a game against Upper Clapton. Throughout the game they found it hard to deal with Upper Clapton's determination to steal the ball in rucks and mauls. So, despite some good running with the ball, Braintree conceded four tries in each half of the opener, with no reply.

Braintree B team then took on Maldon and scored with a well executed switch move with the opening play of the game, George Morris touching down. Maldon, however, hit back from the re-start with an equaliser. Maldon continued to move the ball well when attacking to rack up six tries to Braintree's one.

Braintree B's third game was against Westcliff A. Braintree continued to make several strong runs with the ball, only to lose possession once tackled or in mauls. Westcliff passed well and ran hard to score three tries in the first half and five in the second, without reply.

The final game for Braintree B came against Billericay. Determined to have something to show for their efforts, Braintree took the lead when Oliver Everitt ran in after an attacking Braintree line out Josh Pitt almost added a second but was denied just short of the line. Braintree went further ahead when Oliver Everitt scored again from a set piece, this time taking the ball from the back of the scrum to run in. Billericay pulled one back just before half time to keep things interesting. Braintree reacted well and started the second half strongly. Josh Pitt's bad luck continued when he knocked on only millimetres from the try line. Braintree couldn't add to their score but neither could Billericay to give Braintree B a well earned victory in their last game.

The Braintree B team came up against three strong teams in their group and found the going tough. However, in each match they persevered with Thomas Bloomfield, Oliver Everitt and Freddie Moss-Prout in particular always willing to take the fight to the opposition with strong running.

Plate final

Braintree A took on Upper Clapton in the plate final. Just as in the group game against Braintree B Upper Clapton were determined to steal the ball at rucks and mauls. However, Braintree took an early lead when Eliot Jones picked up from the back of an attacking Braintree scrum to run in. The Braintree line then came under sustained pressure but the defence held firm until Upper Clapton got an equalising try late in the first half when they ran up the blind side following a line out. With the scores level at half time, the next try was always going to be important and Braintree A got it through Ben Weager. Upper Clapton came back strongly but good Braintree tackling in the midfield and along the wings meant that the line was seldom seriously threatened. Braintree held out to win a close and keenly contested game, both sides feeling the effects of some crunching tackles and lung busting runs.