BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2016/17 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.
Report created by D Gilder and J Troup

BRAINTREE...44 CANVEY ISLAND...17 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1B)
BRAINTREE kept their 100 per cent record intact as they squeaked past Maldon on points difference to go top of Essex 1B with a well deserved victory at Robbs Wood on Saturday.
Visitors Canvey are always a well drilled side and they had improved noticeably since the two old Essex rivals met during last season’s campaign.
But a win for the black and ambers never looked in doubt despite Canvey’s big pack and willingness to throw the ball around in the backs.
After a slow start Tree eventually started building periods of sustained possession in what was their first run-out of the season in front of the Beckers Green Road faithful.
And they drew first blood on eight minutes when outside centre Craig Willis outpaced his marker to score out wide, narrowly missing the resultant conversion. 5-0.
After Canvey missed a 17th minute penalty attempt Tree’s scrum got on the front foot and a penalty of their own was kicked to touch deep in the visitors’ territory.
Line-out ball was secured and the backs moved play from wing to wing before prop Daryl Coote rampaged over from close range in the corner to extend his side’s lead to 10-0.
An even better score followed on 25 minutes when number eight John Smillie broke away and fed winger Fergus Rollit-Mason.
He slipped two tackles before passing inside to Tom Carslake who had set off in support using a superb angle of attack and crashed over for a try that Willis converted. 17-0.
Four minutes later Smillie scored the try of the half when he picked up the ball from the base of a scrum 30 metres out and careered past a string of missed tackles to score.
Willis did the honours with the boot to put Tree 24-0 ahead and although Canvey scored a try of their own on 34 minutes the centre was on hand to kick a penalty which secured a 27-5 interval lead.
Once again the home side started slowly after the break and Canvey’s forwards began to have an impact in the scrums.
They got their just reward on 53 minutes when they were awarded a penalty try which was converted from in front of the posts to narrow the deficit to 27-12.
Tree emptied their bench to give them fresh impetus and on 61 minutes a kick through from sub George Crane led to a penalty which was kicked to touch.
The home side won possession at the line-out only to knock-on as they looked to kill the game and nip Canvey’s comeback in the bud.
But on 65 minutes Dan johnson was on hand to crash over again from close range which Willis converting to put his side 34-12 in front.
The visitors weren’t ready to give up just yet and scored an unconverted pushover forwards try 10 minutes from time to reduce the arrears to 34-17.
But another penalty from Willis on 75 minutes and a late try for Crane, who collected the ball following a superb kick through from Dave Martindale, put the islanders to the sword, with Willis’ final conversion giving Tree a 44-17 win.
After the game BRUFC Joint Coach David Gilder said: “We can’t be unhappy with three wins out of three but it was the manner of the victory which was most satisfying.
“Canvey are a good side and they wanted to play rugby at all times. They also have a strong pack and their six and eight were very impressive.
“But everyone in a black and amber shirt gave their all, including the replacements, who provided a much needed boost just as Canvey looked like they were coming back into it.”
Gilder said the whole club were looking forward to this weekend’s away trip to local rivals Maldon, which is set-up as a proper ‘top of the table clash’.
He added: “It’s very early in the campaign but Saturday’s game with Maldon already has an important feel about it.
“We’ve squeaked past them on points difference after the Canvey victory so it’ll be superb if we can go there and get a result so we can go clear at the top, but it will be far from easy.”
BRUFC: Drew, Rollit-Mason, Dann, Willis, Abbott, Martindale, Page, Prince, Sewell, Coote, Apps, M Turner, Carslake, Benfield, Smillie. Reps: Crane, Johnston, L Turner.