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

BRAINTREE...97 WITHAM...0 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1B)

RAMPANT Braintree confirmed their credentials as promotion favourites with a devastating 15-try defeat of local rivals Witham at Robbs Wood on Saturday.
But the visitors were the real heroes on the day for fulfilling what was virtually a no-win fixture for them after a series of heavy defeats in their inaugural season at this level.
No matter how many times the black and ambers put them to the sword Witham’s shell-shocked but game warriors picked themselves up and kept going until the final whistle.
And if nothing else they notched a small moral victory by preventing their big town adversaries from taking the score into triple figures.
Tree knew they had to maintain their concentration in order to keep their shape and worked hard on their set pieces and defensive work when not in possession.
But the visitors’ inability to field a competitive front row meant the game proceeded with uncontested scrums.
This worked against Tree as it meant they were unable to advance on their own put-in and allowed Witham’s pack guaranteed ball on their own scrum.
Second row Dan Johnston commenced the rout when he crashed over after just three minutes of a half which saw the hosts cross their opponents’ line eight more times.
James Abbott and John Smillie both grabbed two tries apiece and there were further scores for James Moore, Dominic Dann, debutant Dylan Moss and Joss Hine.
Centre Craig Willis kicked seven conversions to give Tree an all-but game clinching 59-0 half-time advantage.
After the break the black and ambers used their bench to full effect, rotating on and off to deploy all 18 players.
Fly-half Hine added his second try of the game three minutes into the second period with further scores coming from Abbott (2), Moore, Smillie and Hine again.
Four more conversions from the impressive Willis kept the scoreboard ticking over regularly as the home side looked to turn their obvious dominance into a healthy points differential.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “Full credit to Witham for fulfilling the fixture when they knew they were always going to be up against it.
“It was a good overall team performance from our boys who had to play what was in front of them and deal with uncontested scrums which can be frustrating and break up play.
“Everyone played well but our young flankers Will Turner and academy graduate Dylan Moss who was making his debut both deserve special mention as they had fantastic games.”
Joint Coach Brian Joslin added: “Normally the boys would be over the moon with a 97-0 win but that wasn't really the case yesterday.
“I think the players came off the pitch knowing they had done what they had to do by getting a bonus point win but the dressing room was a bit flat afterwards.
“I think the players sympathised with Witham's predicament at the current moment and respected them for turning up and fronting up.
“Everyone in the group is aware there’ll be tougher tests ahead and a lot work to be done if we are to achieve our goals.”
Tree will undoubtedly face a tougher task next Saturday when they travel to the coast to face third-placed Clacton.
• Braintree’s second XV were beaten 41-10 away by Wanstead IIs on Saturday.
BRUFC: Dann, Moore, Abbott, Willis, Rollit-Mason, Hine, Page, Jones, Sewell, Prince, Apps, Johnston, Moss, W Turner, Smillie. Reps: Baker, Carslake, Adams.