BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2017/18 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

BASILDON…20 BRAINTREE…7 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE remain third in the table after falling to defeat against London 3 Essex leaders Basildon on a tough afternoon in the south of the county.
Tree kicked off but set the precedent for the first half by immediately giving away a penalty for an offside offence at the break down.
This allowed Basildon to clear their lines and work the ball into the black and ambers’ half where the visitors conceded no fewer then six penalties in eight minutes.
The last of these culminated in a try for Basildon as they executed a text book pick and drive move off the back of a scrum. 0-5.
After 14 minutes Tree found themselves on the back foot and defending desperately again following more conceded penalties.
Following a knock-on the visitors put in to their scrum in their own 22 but big pressure from the home forwards secured the ball enabling their number eight to pick up and drive over for a try. 0-10.
On 18 minutes Tree finally managed to exert some pressure of their own, which saw them win their only penalty of the half on Basildon’s 22, but were unable to convert.
Eight minutes later the home side were given the same opportunity and ruthlessly despatched the kick to stretch their lead to 13-0.
Tree found themselves under the cosh again from strong forward drives and the pressure eventually told from a five-metre scrum.
Basildon’s impressive number eight was once again at the fore, picking up and scoring a try which was converted to give his side a 20-0 lead.
But there was a glimmer of hope for the black and ambers just before half-time when they scored against the run of play.
A break out from their own 22 saw the ball go through the hands to winger Ben Gough whose pace was too much for the defenders, Keelan Joslin converting his try to reduce the arrears. 7-20.
The second half descended into a mudfest with strong play by the Basildon forwards and kicks into Tree’s half to relieve any pressure exerted by the visitors.
Unfortunately the possession they received from these kicks was either lost or kicked straight back with no positive outcome and a sloppy second half saw no further points scored.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “We travelled to Basildon with great optimism, even though they had lost only one game all season.
“We travelled with a good squad - our forwards had been performing and the backs line up was strong with good pace.
“However, the slog through the mud just to get to the pitch gave a good indication of the playing conditions to come and we knew we wouldn't be chucking the ball around to great effect.
“The mud suited the heavy strong home pack and their style of play. They played the conditions perfectly.
“Our forwards worked really hard and apart from a couple of scrums and driving mauls were well in the game.
“The ball we did get was difficult to make good use of in our backs as it was slimy and wet and difficult to hold onto.
“I’m sure that on a dry pitch on another day there would have been a different outcome as we could have got our backs running.”
BRUFC Coach Brian Joslin added: “It was a tough day and it would be fair to say the heavy conditions suited Basildon much more than us.
“For the first 20 minutes we found ourselves on the back foot, conceding numerous penalties which allowed Basildon plenty of front-foot ball which their powerful pack took full advantage of.
“Results speak for themselves and this season they deserve to win league, but I was pleased with our effort and positive attitude in appalling conditions.”
Tree return to London 3 Essex action this weekend when they entertain fourth placed East London in a rearranged fixture.
* Braintree’s second XV brought a glimmer of a smile to the club with a superb 22-7 win away to Millwall IIs on Saturday.
BRUFC: Dann, Gough, Abbott, Adams, Young, Hine, K Joslin, Colebrook, Hardin, Perry, Apps, T Carslake, Lane, Benfield, Smillie. Reps: Marsden, W Turner, Page.