Back at the start of the season, Brentwood beat Chingford 14-11 in a closely fought match. Chingford then produced a purple spell which saw them contesting the top of the table for some months. At the same time, Brentwood were playing well, beating top teams such as Colchester, Letchworth and Luton. However, in the second half of the season, both clubs have produced erratic performances dropping them to 8th in the league for Brentwood and 9th for Chingford.

One of the major problems for the home team and its coaches this year has been the injuries and unavailability from match to match, often leading to players having to play out of position. This week Tom King, Jon Wylie and Darryl Worster returned but the backline included back-row forwards John Beith and Billy Aldous.

A beautiful Spring afternoon with firm conditions underfoot saw Brentwood start the last league game of the season playing down the slope.

Against a pacey pack, Brentwood found play difficult in the early passages. However, picking up the tempo, the home side gradually got into the game. Veteran blindside James Metcalfe damaged a shoulder to be eventually replaced by the vintage second-row, Director of Rugby, Steve Killington.

The first quarter was edged by the visitors with centre Jon Wylie having to make a great tackle to stop his opposite number from scoring.

The second quarter saw Brentwood mainly on the back foot with Chingford’s backs reacting very quickly to the loose ball. This area of play proved to be the downfall of the Brentwood side as again this week their lack of control at or around the breakdowns created space for Chingford’s backs.

Approaching half-time, the visitors won a loose ball and sent their right winger through Brentwood’s defence for their first try. Unconverted, Chingford had reached the interval 5-0 up having produced the better of the play in the first half. Brentwood’s lack of ball retention, poor tackling and a series of dropped passes had not helped their cause.

The second half started badly for the home side. A strike diagonally through the defence followed by a smart off-load allowed Chingford a 65 metre run to score under the posts. Almost immediately another break and a 50 metre run produced a third try for the visitors.

Down 0-19 Brentwood were in serious trouble and in danger of being swamped. Lack of cover defence and in particular poor tackling had allowed Chingford easy paths to the tryline.

However, as in recent matches, the home side saved their best rugby for the last quarter with the pack subduing the opposition and driving upfield. A break for fly-half Declan Gillett eventually saw prop Anthony Sherwood crashing over in the right corner for an unconverted try.

Despite some better Brentwood defensive work, Chingford did manage to get a bonus point from scoring a fourth try.

The game finished with yellow cards for a forward from both sides. Both were for technical offences as it had been a clean and well fought game from both sides.

A 5-24 Brentwood had again been well beaten. After an encouraging start, the season had ended disappointingly for all concerned. The club finished ninth out of fourteen teams in this premier league, compared with sixth place in 2012-13.

The close season will be important. The Brentwood coaches need to rebuild the team with (in the opinion of the writer) the import of some experienced backs coupled with the introduction of some of the emerging stars from the youth section. Additionally, a stronger attention to fitness is required.

Team: Skurr, Dorling (C), Bevans-Royston, Woodcock (capt), Hobbs, Metcalfe, King, Chandler, Green, Gillett, Dorling (L), Wylie, Beith, Aldous and Worster.

Brentwood’s season is still not finished, The 1st XV have reached the final of the Essex Senior Cup by beating Barking of National 3 (London & South East Division) 36-32 in last Wednesday’s semi-final. They will play old rivals Romford & Gidea Park in the final, venue and date still to be announced. Romford beat Thurrock in their semi-final.

Brentwood’s 2nd XV have finished second in their Merit Table this year and narrowly lost to Westcliff 9-5 in the Cup final. A really great effort from the Seconds!

All in all, with the youth, mini and midi squads producing outstanding performances at all ages this season, Brentwood continues to produce high standards of rugby for its playing members and for its many supporters to enjoy.