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

BRAINTREE…29 CHELMSFORD…22 (London 3 Essex)

REJUVENATED Braintree moved up into fourth place in London 3 Essex with their fourth successive victory in a pulsating north Essex derby.
The black and ambers kicked off with a howling gale at their backs and playing into driving rain.
They won back possession and drove into their opponents’ 22 but lost the ball mid-move, allowing Chelmsford to drive forward and win a free-kick from a line-out.
Quick play saw the ball spread to the visiting backs who powered over the line for a converted try to draw first blood. 0-7.
Josh Wadforth reduced the deficit on 13 minutes with a well-taken penalty but Tree had to wait until the 25th minute to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Having gained dominance in the scrums the hosts started taking the forward option from penalties to drive home their advantage.
It was a pick and drive move from the base of a strongly driven scrum followed by repeated phases that saw centre James Abbott score Tree’s first try, with Wadforth converting. 10-7.
Chelmsford remained a constant threat though and scored a second unconverted try from a tap and go penalty shortly afterwards to take a 12-10 lead.
It was Tree though who had the last say prior to the interval, another series of scrum penalties moving them closer to the line.
The forwards tried to muscle the ball over the gain line but in the end they had to rely on the backs, fly-half Dominic Dann taking possession and side-stepping his way to a try.
Wadforth’s boot proved as reliable as ever and potted the resulting conversion, giving his sign a 17-12 lead at the break.
There was more success for Tree after the break, with scrum-half Keelan Joslin going on a solo run after a scrum penalty deep in Chelmsford’s half, Wadforth converting for 24-12.
On 55 minutes the visitors hit back with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 24-15, but Tree secured the bonus point just five minutes later.
A strong midfield break by flanker Charlie Marsden saw him slip the ball to centre Abbott, who crashed over to score his second try of the game. 29-15.
Chelmsford ensured a nervy end to the game when they scored a converted try to get themselves with a converted try of levelling affairs, but the black and ambers held on.
BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “It was a fantastic performance from all the players and I was delighted with the win.
“Our forwards dominated the game throughout, especially at the scrum and around the breakdown area.
“We played the weather conditions well, starving them of decent possession whilst taking our chances when they came.
“I was proud of all the players today. Their will to win that game was immense. It was a great end to the year and we’ll go into 2019 handily placed in the league.
Chair of Selectors David Gilder added: “This fixture turned into a very important one for us to put us in a positive mood for the second half of the season.
“The boys could not have been any more motivated after the narrow loss at Chelmsford early in the year.
“The weather on the day was awful and it was satisfying to see the boys stick to the game plan and play the conditions so well.”
The black and ambers will now enjoy a well-earned festive break before returning to London 3 Essex duty when they travel to Canvey Island on January 5.
Colebrook Offshore Man of the Match: Dominic Dann.
BRUFC: Whyatt, J Wadforth, Abbott, J Young, T Drew, Dann, Keelan Joslin, T Colebrook, Sewell, Prince, Richards, Mlambo, J Stanhope, C Marsden, C Kerr. Reps: Page, Hardin, Humphreys.