BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2018/19 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

BRAINTREE…7 EAST LONDON…5 (London 3 Essex) - Colebrook offshore ltd MOTM - Tony Colebrook as seen on front page

BRAINTREE’s forwards put in a superb performance to help secure victory in a fiercely contested encounter at Robbswood on Saturday.
The black and ambers moved back into third place after grabbing the points from a game which was played against a backdrop of strong winds and driving rain.
Tree kicked off with the elements in their favour and created a scoring opportunity almost immediately when the visitors were penalised for not releasing in the tackle.
Inside centre Robert Oakley opted to kick for the posts from just inside the opposition half and was only just short of opening his side’s account.
But it didn’t take long for them to put points on the board and they finally made the breakthrough after 11 minutes.
Following a great passage of play which saw the forwards picking and driving inside the East London following a lineout the ball was fed out to the backs.
A sublime side-step by stand-off Dan Olley saw him squeeze through a gap in the opposition defence before popping the ball to winger Joe Meade.
Meade gathered the pass at speed using a superb angle of attack before scoring under the posts to enable Oakley to kick the conversion and establish a 7-0 lead.
Oakley was unlucky with another unsuccessful penalty attempt on 19 minutes but despite Tree’s dominance the visitors’ solid defence prevented them from adding to their tally.
After the break it was the home side’s turn to dig in and defend in the teeth of a howling gale.
On several occasions Tree managed to play their way out of the 22 and mount attacks, but the conditions conspired to thwart their attempts to extend their lead.
East London should have been able to capitalise on the elements, but were denied by a superb forward effort by their hosts.
Not only did Tree’s pack win all their own scrums they were also able to steal several of East London’s put-ins.
The black and ambers finally cracked four minutes from time when they conceded a try out wide at the end of a sustained period of pressure.
But the visitors were unable to convert the score and Tree hung on for what could be a crucial victory come the end of the campaign.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “I have to commend the forwards on a fantastic performance.
“Our lineout worked as well as it has done all season and the front five put in an awesome scrummaging performance against a much bigger pack.
“Even when we had to shuffle after losing a prop to the sinbin for 10 minutes we still dominated.
“It was a great result against a strong side who were one place above us going into the game.”
BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke was delighted with the win, adding: “We dominated them in the set piece and around the pitch generally.

“Even though we were unable to convert our dominance into points I was proud of the players today, especially as we had seven or eight regulars injured or unavailable.”

Tree have the forthcoming weekend off before returning to London 3 Essex action on Saturday 20th October when they travel to face league leaders Epping Upper Clapton.

After Saturday’s game both sides were able to rinse off in the club’s recently refurbished showers, upgraded with the assistance of a £5,000 grant from the Essex RFU.
BRUFC: Dann, Meade, J Young, Oakley, Rollit-Mason, D Olley, Page, Colebrook, Hardin, Prince, T Carslake, M Pickles, W Turner, Benfield, Moss. Reps: Thompson, Abbott, Apps.
Colebrook Offshore Man of the Match: Tony Colebrook.