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

CHELMSFORD...56 BRAINTREE...0 (London North East Two)

BRAINTREE’s hopes for a change of fortune in 2015 were left in tatters on Saturday as league leaders Chelmsford inflicted a 13th straight defeat on their hapless county rivals.
Only the most fanatically deluded black and ambers follower would have given Tree the merest glimmer of hope for a derby day shock.
And with several key players missing, either due to injury or the dreaded skiing season, this was always going to be a mountain the visitors had no chance of climbing.
Wild and windy conditions might have helped level the proverbial playing field slightly, but if Tree were to make any impact it would surely have to come in the first half when they had the slope.
To their credit they had plenty of possession for periods of the half, but were unable to convert any of it into points.
Chelmsford on the other hand looked every bit league leaders, counter-attacking to great effect whenever they had the ball.
The home side ran in four tries in the first half, and although the wind restricted them to just one successful conversion, they still turned around with a 22-0 interval advantage.
Inevitably, playing with the slope in their favour in the second half, the home side cut loose and added six further tries, converting two of them for a convincing 56-0 win.
BRUFC Joint Coach Brian Joslin said: “This was always going to be a tough encounter for us. Chelmsford had won 10 out of 12 and we’d lost every one of our games.
“We lost heavily but I cannot fault the effort of the 18 lads who took to the pitch. They defended doggedly throughout and gave their all, as they always do.
“Chelmsford look destined to go up and they deserve it. Good luck to them. As for us, we can still avoid the drop, but we need to start winning now. Our season starts from the next game.”
Tree will hope to earn that elusive first win next Saturday when they entertain Basildon at Robbs Wood, a team who only narrowly beat them 17-13 in the return fixture in south Essex.
BRUFC: Evans, McLagan, Murray (Gale), Randall, Abbott, Stanhope, Crane, Douglas, Hardin, Baker (Kerr), Johnston, Fitzearle, Spearman, Benfield (Stephens), Carslake.