Captain's report
Today was a disappointing loss but we were never going to give up. We started the game and our hands weren't good enough which gave them the ball. We didn't push up quicker enough in defence and they scored two tries. We then came back at halftime with more intensity and aggression and scored two tries. They then scored again and we were nine points down with four minutes to go. We got close to the line but we're unable to score and ended the game with a narrow loss.
From Jack

Match report

Braintree travelled to Westcliff with a number of players missing, and were forced to shuffle their back line about to cover.

From the start Braintree put Westcliff under pressure and for 10 minutes we were camped in the Westcliff half, but were unable to cross the try line. Westcliff defended well which caused us to make handling errors or choose wrong options, which we paid for later in the game.

Westcliff managed to move the ball on a couple of occasions out to their outside centre from inside their half and he showed his speed by finding some space to run 2 long range tries in under the posts.

With this Westcliff found more confidence and raised their game. Braintree now had to work harder to stop them moving the ball wider, which we did with some excellent cover tackling from the forwards notably Harry Plester and the backrow. So at the half time whistle it was still 14-0.

Braintree knew they would have to raise their performance and take more control to get back into the game and they started off well putting some strong forward phases in and allowing the backs quicker ball.

Braintree continued the pressure and played some good running rugby, but all the time Westcliff were working hard to defend their line, but with 10 minutes to go Callum broke clear and barged his way over to score out wide, which was unconverted.

Westcliff started to give away some penalties and Braintree kicked the ball deep into the Westcliff 22 and from the lineouts, Braintree caught the ball, controlled it well and drove over for Jack Brand to emerge from the pile of bodies to claim the score, but it was not converted.

With the scores 14-10 Braintree again playing in the Westcliff half, continued their pressure, but were unable to score. From a Westcliff scrum they made a good clearance kick and Braintree knocked on from the line out, giving Westcliff another scrum in our half. They moved the ball right and then getting quick ball from the break down took the ball left with swift hands and with their very pacey outside centre got possession and sped over the line to score and it was converted, with 4 minutes to go.

Braintree didn't give up although the game was out of reach and camped themselves in the Westcliff 22 crossing the line once to be held up. From this last scrum again Braintree tried to force their way over, but Westcliff held strong and managed to turn over the ball and try and breakout, but were taken to touch, for the final whistle to go.

It was a good game on the whole for both teams, Braintree were disappointed from the loss and must learn from it. You have to play rugby for the whole game and going through the motions is not enough to win. Teams are evolving all the time as proved by Westcliff today.

But well done for not giving up and working yourselves back into the game.

On a learning point we need to keep working on the basics and the very basics in rugby is handling as it can cost you the game!
See you all for training on Wednesday