BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2014/15 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

BRAINTREE...14 ENFIELD IGNATIANS...33 (London North East Two)

BRAINTREE’s battle weary troops will be hoping 2015 brings them a much needed change in fortunes as they slumped to their 12th successive defeat of a thus-far catastrophic season.
With nearly 100 people attending the last pre-match luncheon of the year and two of their main sponsors in attendance the pressure was on the black and ambers to put on a show.
And although they customarily threw their all into another closely fought encounter, the late withdrawal of key players through illness and injury left them with a mountain to climb.
Tree started well but got caught in possession inside their own 22 on five minutes, enabling Enfield to win the ball at the ruck and trigger a backs move which was finished by winger James Rawlinson

Fly-half Jordan Wilson kicked the conversion to give Ignatians a 7-0 lead and things were already looking gloomy for the home team’s long suffering but ever loyal fans.
But Tree went straight back up the field and a fine break by scrum-half Elliott Dawson forced the visitors into conceding a penalty which was kicked to touch.
The home side won the line-out and worked the ball to the backs via a maul, but then proceeded to drop the ball after crossing their opponents’ try line.
However, they drew level on 10 minutes when another penalty was quick-tapped and worked through the backs to winger George Crane, who crashed over to score.
The conversion was successfully kicked by Will Stanhope and Tree were suddenly level at 7-7.
But parity didn’t last long and the powerful Ignatians added two quickfire tries of their own courtesy of hooker Luke Ellis and winger Ryan Browne, both converted by Wilson, to lead 21-7 at half-time.
The loss of fly-half Joss Adams with a turned ankle just two minutes into the second period didn’t help Tree’s cause and Ignatians added a fourth try on 45 minutes.

Winger Browne was the man doing the damage with his second score of the afternoon, Wilson’s conversion extending the visitors’ lead to 28-7.
A further try from a driving maul off a line-out on 56 minutes put Enfield 33-7 in front and showed why Ignatians’ pack have done so well in London NE2 this season.
But Tree grabbed a consolation on 65 minutes when Dawson dummied his way over the line from another quickly taken penalty, Joe Young’s conversion reducing the deficit to 33-14.
BRUFC’s weary Joint Coach Brian Joslin said after the game: “We can’t wait to see the back of 2014 if we’re honest.
“This was a similar story to previous weeks in that we had major selection difficulties due to injuries and work commitments, plus a couple of late withdrawals on Saturday morning due to illness.
“We were still two players short an hour before kick-off and were forced to press-gang two ex-players who were due to be attending the pre-match lunch!
“It was an achievement just being able to put a side on the park and fulfil the fixture and I can't fault effort of our players, a lack of match fitness and structure proving the main difference between the two sides.
“Reece Lane at flanker worked tirelessly all game, John Smillie carried the ball well at all times, as did Neil Fitzearle, and everyone gave their all.
“Let’s just hope we can put what has been so far a dreadful season behind us and kick-start our campaign in early 2015.”

Tree now have a fortnight break until they resume London NE2 hostilities with a tough Essex derby away to Chelmsford on January 10.
BRUFC: J Abbott, McLagan, J Young, Stanhope, Crane, Adams (Lee), Dawson, Douglas (Aldridge), Jones, Baker, Fitzearle, Wild, Carslake, Lane, Smillie.