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

WITHAM...3 BRAINTREE...86 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1B)
BRAINTREE’s relentless pursuit of the Canterbury Jack Essex 1B title continued on Saturday as they vanquished local rivals Witham with ruthless efficiency.
Despite fielding three debutants the black and ambers were far too strong for their opponents in the forwards and were able to carve them apart with ease when their backs had the ball.
And in finishing 2016 with their incredible 100 per cent record still intact they also opened up a 12-point lead over their nearest challengers Clacton.
The ever dependable Craig Willis got the score board rolling after just two minutes with a try which he converted himself. 7-0.
Witham’s scrum really struggled to handle their opponents’ front eight and collapsed in disarray whenever full pressure was applied.
After 10 minutes the constant pressure led to turnover ball at the back of a Witham scrum and Tree’s backs fed it through the hands to enable outside centre Jack Lee to score out wide. 12-0.
Four minutes later another successful scrum saw the ball fed to winger James Abbott who crashed over to add his name to the scoresheet. 17-0.
On 18 minutes more pressure on Witham’s beleaguered defence saw a poor clearance kick caught by Willis who made good ground before setting up a ruck from which Max Turner scored.
The next scrum was the last the ref allowed Witham to compete at and the game went to uncontested pack downs which unsurprisingly took the momentum out of the game.
But Tree had to stay focused and ran in a further three tries courtesy of full-back Dominic Dann, skipper John Smillie and a second from Lee.
Witham’s problems mounted and with no subs they ended the half with 13 players, prompting the visitors to sportingly jettison two players of their own to keep the game competitive.
Even with regular changes and fog descending quickly Tree kept the scoreboard ticking over regularly, with continuous runs from deep by Dann, Willis and Joss Adams.
Second half tries from Lee and Abbott (2) saw both players complete their hat-tricks, with Smillie and Willis both scoring again and debutant Keelan Joslin and Michael Benfield also crossing the line.
Willis also continued to turn the screw from the kicking tee, completing eight conversions throughout the game.
Witham gained three consolation points late in the game with a penalty which crowned a six-minute spell of pressure, but generally found their opponents’ defence impenetrable.
Chair of Selectors David Gilder singled out debutants Joslin, Henry James and Neil Richards for particular praise in a game where the result was never in doubt, but a job needed to be done.
He said: “It was a rather strange day’s rugby in the worsening foggy and dreary conditions what with us deciding to drop two players to the bench to keep the game a contest.
“We were far too strong for them in the forwards and the backs were able to run through Witham at will, but credit to them for keeping going and showing good team spirit.”
Joint Coach Brian Joslin added: “It was a good way to end 2016, especially with a much changed side and the whole squad contributing to victory again
“Witham deserve great credit for fulfilling the fixture and sticking to their task until the very end, but the boys all know we face a lot harder tests in the New Year.”
Tree can now look forward to enjoying their festive break before returning to action on January 7 with a home fixture against second-placed Clacton.
BRUFC: Dann, Abbott, Lee, Willis, Joslin, Adams, Martindale, Jones, W Turner, Prince, M Turner, Smillie, Williams, Benfield, Moss. Reps: Richards, James.