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

KINGS CROSS STEELERS…22 BRAINTREE…34 (London 3 Essex)

GUTSY Tree moved back into fourth place in London 3 Essex thanks largely to a superb hat-trick of tries from replacement wing Joe Meade.

Steelers kicked off in the still, mild conditions and applied early pressure on the visitors’ defence that led to a penalty which was successfully converted. 3-0.

It wasn’t until the ninth minute that the black and ambers shook the journey out of their system with the first try of the game.

Applying pressure in their hosts’ 22 a clearance kick gave Tree a line-out from which outside centre Tom Drew capitalised to score, with Josh Wadforth converting. 3-7.

But on 17 minutes Steelers hit back, scoring a try of their own following sustained pressure in Tree’s 22 and successfully converting for a 10-7 lead.

Tree were back in front two minutes later though, earning the put in at a scrum from the re-start

Driving the home side back a sharp pick and go by Keelan Joslin saw the scrum-half skip through the opposition defence to score.

Unfortunately Wadforth’s conversion bounced agonisingly off the post, but Tree scored again straight from the re-start through inside centre Joe Young. 10-17.

Steelers weren’t about to let their opponents run away with the game though, and hit back on 27 minutes to level the scores.

A fortunate charge down from a clearance kick bounced perfectly for the home side’s winger.

He chased the loose ball to touch down for another converted try that left the sides level-pegging at half-time. 17-17.

As with the first half Tree were slow to get started after the turnaround and were fortunate when Steelers missed an early penalty opportunity.

But cometh the hour cometh the man and everything changed for Tree on the 60 minute mark when replacement Meade came onto the field.

A run of repeated penalties against Steelers around their five-metre line led eventually to a scrum which won clean ball for the young wing to score.

Wadforth did the honours with the boot to put Tree 24-17 ahead and on 62 minutes fine work by Cameron Kerr put Meade in again.
Number eight Kerr ran the ball back at Steelers, ably supported by flying prop Lloyd Hardin, who helped by knocking defenders out of the way.

The ball was eventually re-cycled out to the backs and into the hands of Meade for try number two.17-29.

On 68 mins came the classiest try of the day, a cross-field kick by Wadforth bouncing into the hands of Meade for the wing to notch his third. 17-34.

The home side kept working hard and were rewarded with three minutes remaining when they scored from a catch and drive move after a line-out. 22-34.

BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “We needed a win to avoid slipping down the table and in fact the win lifted us above the Steelers back to fourth.

“We travelled away with a young side but they acquitted themselves well. Scrums and line-outs both worked well.

“With the ball in the hands of an exciting back line our reward was six well-taken tries, again showing we can run in tries against any defence in this league.”

Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “I thought today was our best result of the season to date.

“We had seven players under the age of 20, and to win convincingly away to a side above us in the league on a run of six successive wins was fantastic to see.

“I was proud of all the players but especially the younger ones who really stepped up to the mark.

“We scored some fantastic tries by sticking to an expansive game plan that was executed very well.”

Victory saw Tree re-take possession of the White Stilleto Shield, a light-hearted memento swapped between the two clubs in recognition of their off-field friendship.
Tree were one of the first sides to play Steelers shortly after the east London side was founded as the country’s first openly gay rugby union club.
It is now an inclusive side that welcomes players of any sexual orientation.
The wooden plinth mounted show was presented to Tree after the first encounter between the sides.
Tree have no game this weekend but return to London 3 Essex action on March 2 when they travel to Ilford Wanderers.

Colebrook offshore man of the match: Joe Meade.