The conditions were near perfect – a dry sunny morning, light breeze and a pitch for running rugby. Braintree probed early on and entered the home 22 within the first few minutes - an attacking scrum provided a platform to test the home team. Some organised defence kept the visitors out.

15 minutes gone – the game remained scoreless. The Braintree scrum was solid despite the Wanstead weight advantage and exchanges between the forwards with resolute defence from both sides made for an entertaining game. Wanstead broke the deadlock and crossed twice again with only one try converted to lead 17 - 0 at the break.

The challenge for Braintree was to re-group, be more clinical and ‘win’ the second half. Ethan crossed from close range with Noah converting. Wanstead struck back but Braintree again forced themselves up-field for Max to force over from 5 metres. Noah’s conversion just shaded the far post from a difficult angle. Wanstead were fortuitous in another score when the ball squirted out from a ruck 10 metres out.
Braintree repelled several other attacks close to their line in the final few minutes – Will making two excellent tackles in quick succession before being forced off. Braintree again took the ball up into the home team’s 22 and exerted more pressure before the final whistle blew. The match finished 27 – 12.

So in truth a few areas for Braintree to work on – a malfunctioning lineout in the second half and some unforced errors gifting the home team a couple of scores. The potent backline didn’t quite get to see as much of the ball as they had wished for and the dangerous wingers barely had any opportunities to cut loose. A good team effort and the spirit was there, the second half was ‘won’ – Braintree playing well in patches with a dogged defensive effort against a very good Wanstead unit.

Tries Ethan 1, Max 1
Conversions Noah 1

By Phil Morgan