BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2019/20 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

CAMPION…5 BRAINTREE…20 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE recorded their fifth win in six games on Saturday to ratchet up the pressure on early London 3 Essex leaders Upminster.

On a blustery wet day in Romford the home side started strongly and spent a long time in Tree's half but could not find a way past the black and ambers’ resolute defence.

They were made to rue their failure to turn possession into points after 20 minutes when
tree gotturn-over ball at the break down from strong work by back row duo Benfield and Humphreys which allowed wing Elliott Swallow to kicked deep into Campion territory.

A Campion player inexplicably dived to keep the ball in play but succeeded only in pushing it behind his own try line where full-back Glen Whyatt was on hand to touch down.

Swallow then converted the try to give his side a 7-0 lead before stretching his side’s advantage to 10-0 with a 32nd minute penalty again from the busy Benfield in the breakdown.

Just four minutes later a loose Campion kick allowed the visitors to counter-attack with a swift move that ended with Swallow stripping his man out wide and diving over in the corner for a 15-0 interval lead.

The game was still in the balance 10 minutes into the second half as Campion set up shop on Tree’s five-metre line.

The visitors’ defence proved resolute and drove the opposition back but eventually succumbed to the pressure on 57 minutes when they conceded an unconverted try. 5-15.

The Braintree forwards looked to take control of the game in the second half, and despite losing hooker Lloyd Hardin to a yellow card for not rolling away found themselves in control at the scrum still pushing the hosts backwards on their own put in allowing the black and ambers to nullify the loss of a player.

Youngster Kian Culham got his first 1st XV appearance on 65 minutes when he came on for Darren Page at 9 and settled in nicely as he worked well will his belligerent forwards who were in the mood to take the game on in the contact. A series of short carries from Perry and Hardin, then Colebrook and Smillie drove the ball into the Hosts 22 metre line.

Then with just three minutes left Campion knocked on and Tree took full advantage with Culham popping the ball inside to Number 8 Smillie who carried the ball and touched down over Campions try line, the ref judging it to be just short until Flanker Benfield put his hands on ball for the score. 20-5

The game concluded with Braintree still camped in Campions 22 after the kick off, with slow scrappy ball at the forefront due to the increasingly soggy weather.

Braintree seeing out time with some more strong defensive work which epitomised the visitors efforts throughout the afternoon.

BRUFC Head Coach Jamie Clarke said: “This was a really good test for the boys, going away to a side placed third in the league.
“I thought we defended really well and were clinical when we had opportunities to score. It will be nice to get back to Robbs Wood now after playing four of our games away so far.”
It was a good day all round for the Robbs Wood club as Braintree IIs won 10-7 at home against Stowmarket.
Tree are back in London 3 Essex action a week on Saturday when they entertain leaders Upminster in what is sure to be a gripping encounter.
BRUFC: Whyatt, Worster, Levy, J Young, Swallow, Dann, Page, T Colebrook, Hardin, C Fairchild, T Carslake, Perry, M Benfield, Humphreys, Smillie. Reps: Doughty, Culham, Williams.