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

WRITTLE WANDERERS...17 BRAINTREE...55 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1B)
BRAINTREE maintained their 100 per cent record and extended their lead at the top of Essex 1B to nine points with another convincing victory on Saturday.
This time it was Writtle Wanderers’ turn to feel the black and amber force as Brian Joslin’s men notched up more than a half century of points for the third week running.
A cold windy afternoon got off to a frustrating start for the visitors after the referee arrived late and then the home side’s arrival on the pitch was also delayed.
But if the shennanigans were part of a concerted effort by Writtle at mind games aimed at unsettling their opponents the ploy didn't work.
The game was only three minutes old when Tree fly-half Josh Hine landed a massive hit on his opposite number, forcing the ball free from his grasp and into the hands of centre Joss Adams.
 Adams wasted no time in sprinting through the Writtle defence to score a try which was converted by Craig Willis. 0-7.
On 10 minutes Tree forced a line-out on the hosts’ 22 from a long penalty to touch before securing a centre field scrum.
The resultant driving maul led to try number two from second row Dan Johnston, with Willis successfully kicking the conversion. 0-14.
Five minutes later Tree’s pack pushed Writtle off their own scrum ball, securing the possession which enabled number eight Max Turner to drive over and score. 0-19.
The home side looked shellshocked and on 17 minutes an excellent passing move involving forwards and backs saw open-side flanker Mikey Benfield cross the line for try number four. 0-24.
Writtle finally got on the score sheet on 28 minutes when a breakaway down the slope led to a last ditch tackle which was deemed high by the ref who yellow carded Tree winger James Abbott.
The resulting passage of play led to a home try which reduced the arrears to 5-24 before the last play of the half led to another score for the hosts.
A scrum penalty in front of the posts triggered a tap and go move from Writtle which saw them cross the line for their second try, this time converted to reduce the deficit to 12-24 at half-time.
After the break though Tree regained their supremacy and Max Turner scored his second of the game and Tree’s fifth on 43 minutes from a lineout catch and drive, Willis converting. 12-31.

Six minutes later Writtle grabbed their third try of the game, but it proved to be their last score of the afternoon. 17-31.
From there on in it was plain sailing for Tree as winger Fergus Rollit-Mason scored out wide on 58 minutes, Willis converting again to stretch their lead to 38-17.
On 65 minutes Hine dummied his marker before making a clean under the posts to put his side 43-17 ahead before adding another just two minutes later.
A powerful run saw him fend off three attempted tackles to go over in the corner. 17-48.
Tree wrapped up the game five minutes from time when Adams grabbed his second try of the game after a strong break by the forwards, Willis converting for an emphatic 55-17 win.
BRUFC Joint Coach Brian Joslin said: “We had to contend with a lot of changes to the side due to injuries and unavailability but the boys were excellent from start to finish.
“After scoring four tries in the first 15 minutes we took our foot off the gas but after the break we got our tails up again and we were too strong for Writtle all over the park.
“Will Turner impressed in the forwards and Josh Hine had a strong game in the backs. It's very pleasing that we have the depth required to bring players in and still put in strong performances.”
Tree are in RFU Vase action this Saturday when they entertain Wisbech at Robbs Wood.
BRUFC: Page, Abbott, Adams, Willis, Rollit-Mason, Hine, Martindale, Perry, Sewell, Prince, Johnston, Carslake, W Turner, Benfield, M Turner. Reps: Spearman, Lee, Apps.
Braintree’s second XV lost 43-0 away to Barking IIs in what was always going to be a tough fixture, while their Academy side secured a superb 24-12 win over Saffron Walden.