A big squad arrived at Chingford on the first friendly and sunny Sunday of the season.
The game format was decided and agreed at 20 minutes each way and the boys were most definitely ready to get stuck in after a summer of training.
Jack Raine kicked off, the boys roared their way up field and immediately turned the ball over from the Chingford catch, with a 2 pass manoeuvre paying dividends as the ball was passed back inside, to give Oscar Letch the opportunity to open the scoring.
After the restart, Braintree drove to the 22, and with great passing the ball was again put down over the line.
The Wednesday drills were paying off. The ball flowed and not even a big tackle on Sam Waud could prevent him offloading back inside, resulting in a sprint to the line and try number 3.
Fly half Nathan Bossert, spun the ball away from the scrum, the backs played a switch, leaving Chingford wrong footed and Braintree in a great position to score try 4.
Chingford were unable to break through even after a penalty, which Sam Everitt caught and without hesitation, came bursting through two tackles to record another Braintree score. Perfect passing, winning scrums and looping runs left Braintree's score line growing.
Coach Jamie Clarke called a team change and with only Jack Raine staying on for the rest of the first half, the whole team continued to run forward, putting the pressure on Chingford keeping the play on their try line. Max Barnes and Alfie Davies tackled furiously and Alfie popped the ball over for the final try of the half. Braintree were 35 to nil up.
Chingford kicked off the second half, our Braintree boys kept up the pressure and Chingford didn't get a look in. Mack caught the ball from the kick off and with the ball travelling the width of the pitch, Sam Waud was able to power over the line in the corner and pretty soon after, a strong drive by our forwards included some great work by debutant Adam French allowed Sam Waud to put the ball down in the same corner.
A penalty on the Chingford 22, resulted in a pass to Sam Everitt, who together with George Clarke providing the extra power needed, Sam put the ball over the line again. Play continued in the Chingford half with some titanic tackles from the Braintree squad and excellent work by George Clarke picking up the ball and driving through the whole of the Chingford pack to ground the ball for a score of his own.
Chingford’s next kick off ended up in Jack Raine's hands. Chingford managed to tie him up in a ruck, but he popped the ball out to Adam French who flew along the touchline and despite a couple of Chingford boys in his wake, he grounded the ball for his first try.
More team changes ensued and with the ball back on Chingford’s 22, Braintree were awarded a penalty. Sam Smith saw the opportunity and caught Chingford unawares and with a cheeky tap’n’go, he duly sprinted up the field for his first score of the season.
Three more tries finished the game, leaving Chingford reeling and with solid tackling from all of the boys, great chat and support from each other they made today an outstanding start to the season. Go Braintree under 11's, you are amazing!!!