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

CAMPION…0 BRAINTREE…55 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE edged ahead of Chelmsford into third place in London 3 Essex after destroying Campion with a devastating nine-try salvo on Saturday.
Chelmsford’s unexpected 19-10 defeat away to Ilford Wanderers saw the black and ambers move in front of their local rivals.
But Tree only progressed up the table after club officials realised the RFU had forgotten to award them a try bonus point accrued during their home defeat by King’s Cross Steelers.
With reparations made following the administrative error Jamie Clarke’s men now sit a point ahead of Chelmsford, with their dream of making the second placed play-off spot still intact.
Tree kicked off into a strong cross-field wing but were immediately in control of the early play, looking comfortable and composed with the ball.
They opened the scoring after just five minutes following a spell of heavy pressure in the home side’s 22.
Repeated phases eventually led to an overlap, with simple ball movement through the hands enabling outside centre Tom Drew to score, Josh Wadforth converting. 7-0.
Campion did enjoy some early first half possession, but struggled to penetrate the visitors’ defence, missing a penalty attempt on 20 minutes.
Tree regained control and added to their tally on 26 minutes when hooker Lloyd Hardin’s deceptive turn of pace terrified the home defence.
A pre-called run round line-out move on half way saw the ball fed to the big number two, who smashed through a succession of missed tackles to score. 12-0.
Drew then added his second try of the game on the half-hour mark following a defensive scrum in Tree’s own 22.
The ball was fed through the hands before being kicked through by Wadforth for Drew to gather and cross the line. 17-0.
Two minutes later young flanker Will Humphreys got in on the act following superb play by number eight Cameron Kerr to notch try number four. 22-0.
In the last play of the half it was James Abbott’s turn to cross the line, the skipper scoring following another move that started from a defensive scrum in Tree’s 22.
Wadforth’s conversion saw Tree go in at the interval 29-0 to the good, but knowing their hosts had the slope to their advantage for the second half.
Campion started brightly but found their opponents’ defence in resolute mood, even against a couple of strong rolling mauls.
The black and ambers try count resumed on 55 minutes when full-back Glen Whyatt burst into the line at pace to slice through for try number six, Wadforth converting. 36-0.
Five minutes later Drew completed his hat trick following a quick tap penalty in midfield. 41-0.
On 69 minutes his centre partner Joe Young got in on the act, attacking from the blind side after a pick-up from the base of a scrum, with Wadforth converting again. 48-0.
Fittingly, the final say of the day came from hooker Hardin, who broke out from his own 22 to go on an unstoppable bullocking run to score try number nine.
Wadforth’s neat conversion, his fifth of the day, sealing a 55-0 victory for Tree over the Romford-based side.
BRUFC Chair of Selectors David Gilder said: “We travelled with some apprehension so the margin of the win was a big surprise, albeit fully deserved.
“Campion were only two places below us in the league and we had a lot fewer options in selection this week than we would have hoped for after suffering two late drop-outs.
“As it turned out the guys who travelled put in a superb performance and blew the opposition away.
“When we get the ball out wide the pace we have is causing so many problems for defences.
“Now we’ve rectified the RFU’s admin error we’re third in the table with it all to play for. A second-place play-off spot is still a possibility.
“We have to hope East London collapse and we manage to take maximum points and bonus points from here on in but never say never. Anything’s possible!”
Head Coach Jamie Clarke added: “It was a really good performance and result. We got on top early on and were ruthless throughout
“We controlled possession of the ball and ensured our hosts never got any foothold in the game.
“Our back row were immense, allowing our backs to really open up and show the talent they have, but our front row were equally dominant and were fantastic all game.”
Colebrook Offshore man of the match: Lloyd Hardin
Tree don’t have a game this weekend but return to league action on March 23rd when they entertain Barking at Robbs Wood.
• In a fine afternoon for Tree their under-15s side secured a 41-12 victory away to Colchester to progress to the Eastern Counties Cup Final.
BRUFC: Whyatt, Abbott, T Drew, J Young, Gough, J Wadforth, Keelan Joslin, T Colebrook, H Stanhope, Hardin, W Turner, Perry, J Stanhope, Humphreys, C Kerr. Reps: Page, Hudd.