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

BRAINTREE...81 BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH...0 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1B)

RAMPANT Braintree made it eight wins out of eight as Essex rivals Burnham became the latest victims of the black and amber juggernaut.
Tree are thought to be one of only 6 teams in the RFU pyramid to have won all their games since the start of the 2016/17 season.
And what makes the scale of Saturday’s victory even more impressive was the fact that they fielded three debutants after injuries and unavailability forced them into a major reshuffle.
After being hammered 79-5 by Tree at their own ground earlier in the campaign the portents didn’t look good for the men from the Dengie Peninsula.
Tree penned the visitors inside their own 22 straight from kick-off, forcing a succession of penalties at the scrum which ended when James Abbott crashed over to score.
Craig Willis added the extra points with the boot and 10 minutes later debutant Tinashe Mlambo powered through to score try number two after a strong run.
Once again Willis notched the conversion to leave Tree 14-0 to the good and their opponents fearing a long afternoon on the back foot.
A hamstring injury to second row Dan Johnston led to another reshuffle which saw Henry Williams make his debut for the black and ambers.
But Tree kept in their stride and on 20 minutes winger Tom Drew scored try number three after a strong midfield break by another debutant Philip Walsh, to extend their lead to 19-0.
On 24 minutes Joss Adams added try number four from a pass by Willis after a penalty kick to touch saw the hosts win crucial line-out ball, Willis converting for 26-0.
And the lethal Willis was on hand again four minutes later, kicking the extra points after winger Fergus Rollit-Mason finished off a fine backs move to see Tree in 33-0 at half time.
The one-way traffic continued after the break with Daryl Coote bustling over on 48 minutes following another line-out from a penalty to touch. 38-0.
New boy Williams was next on the score sheet, finishing neatly after a great break by flanker Mikey Benfield on 50 minutes. 43-0.
Two minutes later Adams scored his second try of the game straight from the re-start as he latched onto a kick through from Willis, who kicked the conversion to make it 50-0.
On 55 minutes Willis added his name to the list of try scorers when he glided through Burnham’s beleaguered defence before converting his own effort. 57-0.
Four minutes later Drew added his second following another textbook backs before Benfield crashed over following a catch and drive move from a line-out on 68 minutes. 67-0.
Further tries from Dylan Moss (72 mins) and Will Turner (75 mins), both converted by Willis, took Tree over the 80 points mark in a league match for the second time this season.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “Considering all the changes we had to make due to injuries and unavailability this was a great win, albeit against a struggling side.
“The three debutants – Tinashe, Henry and Philip – are all products of the club’s youth section who have returned from further education.
“When you consider that Dylan Moss and Will Turner were both playing for the academy side last season it’s very pleasing. The club is definitely heading in the right direction.”
BRUFC Joint Coach Brian Joslin added: “All the new lads made a great impact which was very rewarding. It’s great that we have a bit of strength in depth at the moment.
“We must give credit to Burnham because they competed throughout the game. They never threatened our line but they made us work for every point we scored.
“Losing Dan to injury was a blow but we’ve got the numbers we need now and selection will be tricky this week.”
Tree will face a sterner test this Saturday when they put their 100 per cent record on the line away to second placed Canvey Island.
BRUFC: Abbott, Drew, Adams, Walsh, Rollit-Mason, Willis, Page, Coote, W Turner, M Turner, Johnston, Apps, Carslake, Benfield, Mlambo. Reps: Moss, Williams, Lee.
• Braintree’s academy side suffered their first reverse of the season on Saturday as they went down 20-0 to Upminster Colts.