Suffolk Plate Competition

Braintree u 14s 57 – Hadleigh 14
Suffolk Plate Competition
A crisp autumn day at Robswood, and Braintree welcomed a depleted but well organised Hadleigh side.
After a great catch and drive from the kick-off by Will B, Braintree gave an indication of their intent when Jacob S, whose play went from strength to strength, picked up a loose ball from a tackle just inside the Braintree half and raced 50m to score under the posts.
Throughout the game Braintree’s big forwards caused havoc, with great interplay between Ben S, Callum B, and Beesea D, who scored 2 tries with his tenacity and strength. Best of all, new prop Ethan G, in only his second game made a 20 metre rampaging run in the second half to score under the posts.
James M and Ryan L both in their first games for Braintree, also made a significant contribution to getting Braintree on the front foot.
Not to be outdone the backs also played well. The midfield of Fin H, James G and Ewan O is starting to look very good indeed, each of them adding scores, including a drop goal from James G and there were also quality contributions from Harrison W,Sam W and Tom W. The new wings Tommy B and Callum M did well too.
Oscar V was his usual reliable self at scrum half and played well in the second when he joined the pack. His replacement Harrison J played a “blinder” making brave tackle after brave tackle as Hadleigh’s forwards came back at Braintree.
To be fair to Hadleigh the scoreline did not reflect their contribution. Hadleigh never gave up, and were able to expose the narrowness of Braintree’s defence as the Amber and Blacks were guilty of gazing at the rucks rather than the attackers and not listening to the calls from wings to spread out in defence. Hadleigh scored twice by going wide and might have had more, but for last ditch tackles.
In the end Braintree were deserved winners however, having dominated most areas of the game.

Tries: Beesea D (2), Ethan G, Ewan O, Fin H, James G, Sam W,Jacob S
Cons: James G (7)
Drop Goal: James G