1st game of the new season

Early start for everyone 10.30 KO away at Upminster. A lovely sunny morning greeted the players as they eagerly awaited the start of the new campaign.
The game was a typical first game of the season with both teams looking a little rusty in the first half and cancelling each other out. Plenty of commitment and physical action but little free flowing rugby to be seen.
2nd half was a little better with Braintrees forwards beginning to dominate the breakdown and forcing Upminster to concede penalties. With Braintrees backs having a bit of an unusual off day offensively the winning try was scored from a set-piece forwards move.Upminster infringed at the ruck to concede a penalty which was kicked to touch for a lineout on the 5 metre line. From the lineout a text book front pod catch and drive resulted in Sam Ball crashing over for the winning and only score of the game.
Much improvement required in the coming weeks but a good away win to start our Essex league campaign .