Braintree arrived on a overcast day full of excitement and anticipation for the new season. The team was made up of 15 players so everyone knew that they had to play for the full match.

Braintree won the coin toss and elected to kick-off.

The first half kicked off and the first 5 minutes of the game were pretty even, but with Braintree missing a number of tackles which was a worrying sign. Sure enough a missed tackled resulted in Cheshunt running in the first try of the match. Conversion missed.

From the kick-off Cheshunt gathered the ball and ran hard at the heart of the Braintree defence. The ball was moved along the Cheshunt back line, before another missed tackle by Braintree resulted in a second try for Cheshunt. Conversion missed.

Braintree keep their head up and mount an attack of their own, but a fumble from a scrum results in a turnover and Cheshunt attack the Braintree line. Repeated attacks are repelled by some dogged Braintree defence but unfortunately the pressure is too much a Cheshunt score their third try. Conversion kicked.

The half ends with Braintree on the attack and almost scoring a try of their own. An unfortunate knock-on gives the ball back to Cheshunt who run in the final try of the half. Conversion missed.

After some half-time jelly babies and a reshuffle of players, the second half kicks-off. Cheshunt immediately on the attack but some immense tackling by Braintree ensures that their line is not breached.

Braintree now playing with much more aggression and energy, competing for every ball and making lines breaks at will. The Braintree scrum, strong in the first half, continues to be solid and provides a great attacking platform. Braintree try a few set plays and one almost comes off with the backs working well as an attacking unit.

Cheshunt come back into the game with a slick passing move that results in a try in the corner.

Braintree continue to play some great rugby and steal the ball at a lineout. The ball is moved back and forth across the pitch before Braintree score their first try of the match. Josh Ayling with a fantastic run , beating most of the Cheshunt team, to score. Conversion by Lorcan Delaney.

Braintree, now with their tails up, seem to be winning everything. Both wingers are flying and its only last gasp tackles that stop a further try to Braintree. However a second try was inevitable, again a ball stole from a lineout, along the line for Thomas Bickers to run around the Cheshunt defence to score. Conversion missed.

The match ended with Cheshunt scoring a try. Conversion missed.

A fantastic second half saw Braintree win the half on points, but lose the match overall. For a first game of the season Braintree played with energy, played as a team and played some fantastic rugby. Well played lads!