BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2016/17 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

BRAINTREE...25 MILLWALL...7 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1 Prem)

BRAINTREE are the early pacesetters in Canterbury Jack Essex 1 Prem after a convincing 25-7 victory over Millwall at Robbswood on Saturday.
Having seen their first fixture in the promotion section of the newly split league called off after opponents Billericay were unable to field a team the black and ambers were anxious to get to work.
Tree went on the offensive straight from the kick-off, opening the scoring after just five minutes with a well-worked try.
Early possession saw the ball fed out to right wing Fergus Rollit-Mason who showed great footwork and strength to fend off three tacklers and score a fine try in the corner. 5-0.
The home side continued to dominate and extended their lead on 18 minutes courtesy of influential fly-half Joss Adams.
The mercurial 10 spotted a gap down the blind side while lurking on Millwall’s 22 and burst through to score another unconverted try in the right hand corner. 10-0
Play continued in the visitors’ half with the Londoners’ well organised defence being forced to absorb almost continuous pressure.
But Tree were made to pay on 35 minutes when an uncharacteristically spilled ball was scooped up by Millwall’s outside centre just inside his own half.
He launched a counter-attack down the black and ambers’ right flank, fending off covering tackles before slipping the ball to his left wing who crashed over to score a converted try. 10-7.
Tree went back on the attack straight from the re-start and won a penalty 30 metres out which Craig Willis notched to restore a bit confidence and stretch their lead to 13-7.
The second half started with Millwall applying all the pressure and the black and ambers having to dig deep.
Their task became even more difficult on 50 minutes when prop Jamie Prince was harshly sin-binned for a borderline high tackle and then red-carded for dissent after querying the decision.
With their hosts’ backs against the wall Millwall went on the front foot and the game became a real test of character for the home side.
Tree’s coaches rang the changes with George Crane, Will Turner and Neil Fitzearle all coming on and making an immediate impact.
Their defence held firm against the odds and when Millwall’s centre was sin-binned for a high tackle on 65 minutes parity was regained.
On 75 minutes Tree went on the attack and great ball management saw play moved out wide to left wing James Moore who scored in the corner, Willis converting superbly for a 20-7 lead.
Millwall were eventually restored to 15 men but the black and ambers continued to attack from the re-start and scored a fourth and bonus point try on the stroke of full-time through sub Crane.
The conversion attempt came back off the posts but the visitors had no time to get back in the game as the ref blew for full-time.
BRUFC Joint Coach Brian Joslin said: “This was a massive test of character for us and the second half defensive effort after we went down to 14 men was awesome.
“It’s clear why Millwall have gone so well this season. They’re a very organised side in attack and defence and they pushed us for the whole 80 minutes. The return fixture will be a real challenge.
“Unfortunately the win came at a cost as Max Turner and James Abbott both picked up head injuries which will keep them out for two to three weeks and Jamie Prince will face a suspension.”
The Essex 1 Prem table shows Braintree six points clear of Millwall at the top, but will look even healthier before this weekend’s trip to Stanford-le-Hope.
The RFU are yet to award Tree the points they accrued as a result of Billericay’s failure to play them a week last Saturday, due to an appeal by the south Essex side against their fine.
Said Joslin: “Billericay were fined for failing to inform the RFU they hadn’t fulfilled the fixture and they’re appealing against the fine.
“We haven’t done anything wrong but until the matter is finally resolved the points we were awarded for the walkover won’t show in the table.”
Braintree’s second XV endured a weekend of frustration after opponents Barking and then late stand-ins Thurrock both called off, but hope to host Old Cooperians at Robbs Wood on Saturday.
BRUFC: Dann, Rollit-Mason, Abbott, Willis, Moore, Adams, Martindale, Perry, Coote, Prince, Apps, M Turner, Carslake, Benfield, Richards. Reps: Crane, Fitzearle, W Turner.