Captains report
Today was not a great win but despite playing poorly for most of the game we still got a win to get the plate for the second successive year. We started the game off asleep and not playing with much intensity. They scored early which caught us by surprise but we bounced back and scored twice before the end of the half. However we still made hard work with unusual errors and by getting over the line several times and not scoring. In the second half we played faster rugby and wore them down and managed to run in a couple of tries to give us a better lead. They scored a try as we weren't ready and they tapped quick from the penalty. We came back scoring a try and finished the game. As a team we need to work on our basic handling skills and always carry out the basics of the game from the start. It was our last 15 a side game of a really good season and everyone should be proud of their efforts
From Jack

Match report

To give a feeling of occasion to our last 15 aside game of the season and celebrate the boys second successive plate final we hired a coach and went on mass to Bancroft RFC. Dressed smartly in their 1s and looking the part the boys left the bus to applause from the travelling supporters!

Making hard work of the first 10 minutes we were 7-0 down and looking rattled. Our fluid running style rugby was left wanting with a number of uncharacteristic errors - we probably put more balls down in that game than we have done all season! Despite the somewhat chaotic style the boys had adopted to play they didn't panic and continued to try to coax a performance from one another.

One thing I love about this team is that they never point the finger of blame, however frustrated they get with themselves or their mates they pull together. One thing I find frustrating though is that if the team is struggling to find its form the boys go out in sympathy, on mass. Perhaps they have misunderstood the one in all in philosophy!! Although, by hook or by crook they managed to get themselves ahead in the first half. Having left two or three tries already begging they finally made the passes stick. Having been camped on the Bancroft 10m line for 5 minutes and pressuring Bancroft's scrum on 3 or 4 occasions we eventually flipped the ball cleanly through the hands for Cooper Baker to drive over the line.

Buoyed by the confidence of the first score we began to secure the ruck more quickly and move the ball earlier to open up gaps for both the forwards and backs to run in. The basic errors were still evident and some communication mix ups saw a good offload from Callum Smit go to ground and a further try go begging. Eventually we able to create enough space out wide for Jack Curtis-Evans to cut a strong line, turn on the after burners and exploit the gap to give us the half time lead 10-7.

The second half was a definite improvement on the first with what looked like a move back to our normal style of play. Hard work from the forwards giving the backs good ball gave Jack Curtis-Evans the opportunity to put an early score on the board and start to settle the nerves.15-7 to Braintree but we were still running lumpy with a few dodgy spark plugs!! Pure grit and determination gave them the next score of the half. Knock-ons from the line out gave away possession and we were then put on the back foot being forced to defend and tackle hard to win the ball back. James Raine eventually broke through, picking from a ruck and ran strongly to give some space for Oli Kempster to square up his man and give Archie Douglas the space to run through and put the ball down (eventually!!) under the posts. 20-7 and breathe!

With the penalties racking up we put ourselves under pressure and Bancroft running a quick tap and go before the defence was properly set scored near the posts and we continued to play them into the game. 20-14 a converted score in it and about 5 minutes to go. Last Fridays team kept threatening to surface and glimpses were caught throughout the game but to give Bancroft their due they forced us into errors. The final try was more characteristic with the forwards and backs working hard to create the space and Harry McLagan joined the line to give the overlap and run in under the posts for Archie to convert.

Despite the slightly off colour team performance many of the boys had very solid games - running hard lines, making tackles, winning scrums, securing the rucks, offloading the ball and supporting play. We mustn't forget that we scored 5 tries and secured back to back plate wins. The boys just chose to do it the hard way but those teams that learn to win ugly are often very successful. Just ask Saracens!

Well done boys. Another hugely enjoyable season where we have seen you grown into fine young men. A successful team in every connotation of those words.