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

BRAINTREE...36 HARWICH & DOVERCOURT...3 (Canterbury Jack Essex 1B/President’s Shield QF)

BRAINTREE maintained their 100 per cent league record and extended their lead at the top of Essex 1B to 16 points with a convincing win over plucky opposition.
In doing so they also progressed to the semi-finals of the Essex President’s Shield as Saturday’s clash acted as a double-header in order to stave off the prospect of fixture congestion for both sides.
Harwich kicked off proceedings on Saturday and got an early reward when Tree’s attempt to run the ball back at them foundered when the ball was dropped forward in contact.
The visitors then forced their opponents into conceding a penalty at the breakdown which was duly despatched to give them a 3-0 lead.
But normal service was resumed after 15 minutes when Tree secured clean line-out ball inside their own half and worked the ball to fly-half Joss Adams who was too quick for the Harwich defence. 5-3.
Five minutes later scrum-half Dave Martindale kicked ahead from the back of a scrum and the chase forced Harwich into knocking on.
More good scrum ball and several phases through the forwards lead to tight-head prop Jamie Prince crashing over to score a try which was converted by Craig Willis. 12-3.
The last action of the half saw the ever dependable Willis pot a successful penalty kick to give his side a 15-3 interval lead
After the break Tree started to dominate and the majority of the play took place in Harwich’s half with only the occasional attempt to break out by the visitors.
On 53 minutes winger Fergus Rollit-Mason scored after a period of sustained pressure, the conversion by Willis stretching the hosts’ lead to 22-3.
Two minutes later Prince grabbed his second try of the afternoon when Tree played out of their half from the re-start and the big prop got his hands on the ball in the visitors’ 22.
He then went on an unstoppable run, fending off tacklers to round off with a superb try which Willis again converted. 29-3.
Five minutes from time debutant winger Ben Gough made an immediate impact from the bench when he showed the Harwich defence a clean pair of heels down the wing.
The youngster unselfishly slipped a pass inside to Adams who crossed the line for his second try of the game, with Willis once again doing the honours with the boot to secure a 36-3 victory.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “It was a good game of rugby played in a great spirit with a fine young ref.
“We were a bit slow to start but as the game went on we slowly built more and more pressure, stifling Harwich and forcing them to try and play out of their own 22.
“But Harwich are too good a side to be in the bottom half of the table and they gave us a real test early on so full credit to them.”
BRUFC Joint Coach Brian Joslin added: “We started very sluggishly but in the end it was a good win for the boys.
“To their credit Harwich definitely took the game to us in the first 15 minutes but once we got going they never really threatened our line and we scored some classy tries.
“Jamie Prince and Mikey Benfield were the pick of forwards although the whole pack put in a good shift.
“Joss Adams and Fergus Rollit-Mason shone in the backs with the ever reliable Craig Willis keeping the scoreboard ticking over with the boot.”
Tree now await news of their next league opponents as the top four sides in Canterbury Jack Leagues Essex 1A and 1B merge together to battle it out for the promotion places in the run-in.
BRUFC: Drew, Rollit-Mason, Lee, Willis, J Moore, Adams, Martindale, M Turner, W Turner, Prince, Carslake, Apps, Moss, Benfield, Smillie. Reps: Gough, Fitzearle, Perry.