Coaches Report
On a cold overcast morning Braintree travelled to Harlow for a second time this season, as Colchester were unable to fulfill our original fixture.
But this time Braintree were looking for to make amends for the loss before Christmas.

At Kick off the clouds had thickened and light snow had started to fall. Both teams got straight into the game, battling for possession for the first 5 minutes with Braintree finally getting the upper hand. They camped themselves in the Harlow 22, picking and driving towards the Harlow line, eventually rewarded when Ben Collar forced his way over to score, not converted.

Braintree kept the pressure on and regained the possession from the restart and after a few phases moved the ball quickly out wide, for Harry McClagan to cross the line, converted by Cooper Baker.

Harlow then started to fight back and played a good off load game and started to push deep into Braintree’s half, but Braintree managed to turnover the ball and now under pressure in their 22, kick into touch. Harlow seized the chance to form a well worked catch and drive to get across the line and as the mass of bodies from both sides moved away the Ref awarded the try.

Harlow with their heads up were chasing the game and Braintree began giving away several penalties. Strong supporting runs from the Harlow boys, they moved the ball right to left to find their big number 8 who crashed over near the corner just before half time but this was held up.
Half time score 7-12

By the start of the second half both sides feeling the bitter cold conditions as the snow started to settle, it was no surprise that the ball went to ground on several occasions. Braintree managed to take the control and kept the ball for several phases and piled on the pressure in and around the Harlow try line and on the second time Braintree crossed the line the try was again disallowed.

The celebration was short lived and Harlow regained possession after the kick off and seemed to run through the Braintree defence, either due to lack of concentration or maybe they were frozen where they were standing due to the cold, probably a bit of both, to allow them to score under the posts. Fortunately Braintree responded straight back and kicking ball deep into the Harlow half, kept them there with some aggressive tackling notably from Billy Gibson. Braintree turned over the ball and with some strong forward running Freddie crashed over to score.

With the game drawing to an end and the snow now covering the lines on the pitch, Braintree again giving away a run of more penalties, on which Harlow chose to kick for the corner twice, putting Braintree under a lot of pressure, but Braintree held out to stop them short of their try line. Braintree finally cleared their lines and pushed Harlow back into their half for the final whistle to go.

On the positives we welcomed Taylor Caufield as he got his first run out and scrummaged well along with some strong tackles.
The boys kept their heads most of the time with some tough decisions against them at times and played for each other. Both teams played rugby in some very hard conditions and never gave up.

On reflection I’m sure some parents and players would have wondered if the game should have gone ahead and at points it crossed my mind, but as myself and Nick left the boys in the changing room - playing some surprising old school tunes that were banging out and the laughter, banter and camaraderie bouncing round the room - it was at that point I realised that’s why they won and why it was worth it as they enjoy being together and what a great bunch of lads they are!

It did remind me why I played, the love of the game and the life long friendships I made and the fun I had on and off the pitch, which I hope as a group they may continue to have for years to come.

Just a note lads you are missing a couple of classic tunes, look up Born Slippy and Insomnia!

See you all Wednesday
Nigel