BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2019/2020 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

BRAINTREE…13 HARLOW…10 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE started the new London 3 Essex campaign with a hard fought win over local rivals Harlow in a pulsating encounter at Robbs Wood.
They had wing Elliott Swallow to thank for the win as he used his blistering pace and deadly accurate boot to score all of the black and ambers’ points.
But victory came at a cost as outside centre Tom Drew is likely to be out for some time after sustaining an injury making a heavy defensive tackle.
It was an even scrap for the first 12 minutes until Tree worked their way into the visitors’ half and won a penalty which Swallow kicked from distance to give his side a 3-0 lead.
This seemed to jolt Harlow into action and they started pressurising their hosts’ defence in search of the opening try.
It was all hands to the pump for Tree for a while and it was during this period that Drew was hurt putting his body on the line for his team.
Harlow’s constant pressure eventually told with their big forwards crossing the line out wide to score on 32 minutes. 3-5.
Tree then produced the play of the game when flanker Will Humphries caught the ball from the re-start, prompting five minutes of pressure on the Harlow line.
The pressuring finally told on 37 minutes when the ball was worked wide to Swallow, who turned on the burners to score in the corner. 8-5.
Harlow's re-start didn't go half as well and Tree were able to take possession and set up a midfield scrum.
A nicely worked move straight off the training pitch saw the ball fed once again to Swallow, who went on an unstoppable run, beating three defenders to score his second. 13-5.
After the break Harlow continued to make things difficult for Tree, and the black and ambers cause wasn’t helped when they went down to 14 men thanks to a yellow card.
The visitors made the most of their numerical advantage and scored a second try on 49 minutes when quick hands gave them an overlap in the centres. 13-10.
However, the home side held out doggedly for the win as the game became scrappy in the last quarter and even had the luxury of a missed penalty in the 60th minute.
BRUFC chair of selectors David Gilder said: “I was very impressed with our performance against a side coming down into London 3 Essex from a higher league.
“It looked like a really tough start to the season with five regular starters from last year missing from the squad, one retiring and four moving on.
“It always looked like a real test of character and it was. It must rank as our most dogged and spirited defensive performance for many years and the victory was hard fought.
“Tom Drew will be sorely missed but if we can maintain this spirit, it should serve us well in the games to come.”
BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “I was really proud of all the lads on Saturday as they really had to dig in at times and they defended fantastically.
“We saw glimpses of our potential going forward and we will be working hard to improve on that at training this week.
“Special mentions must go to Elliott Swallow who scored all our points but was also great defensively and our man of the match Charlie Fairchild at tight-head prop.
“He was great in the scrum but showed a real presence around the pitch too. It was a really close game against a tough Harlow side and a good start to our campaign.”
Tree are on their travels this weekend when they make to trip to Upminster to face Old Cooperians, who started their 19/20 campaign with a 32-16 win away to Ilford Wanderers.
BRUFC: Whyatt, Swallow, T Drew, J Young, Levy, Dann, Page, T Colebrook, W Turner, C Fairchild, M Pickles, Mlambo, Humphries, C Kerr, C Marsden. Reps: M Benfield, D Coote, Thomson.