A cold clear autumn day saw Braintree U14s visit Witham RFC.
Although Braintree scored a great early try, the first of three by Callum B who had a tremendous game carrying the ball, Witham gave early notice from a scrum that they had some really good ball carriers when they picked up from the base and ran through Braintree’s despairing defence while the Braintree back row were still bound on.
Braintree came straight back with a try for Fin D who put in his usual hard work at 7.
The line speed was good from Braintree’s defence throughout the game as were their Scrums and the rucking. As a result they got enough turnover ball to create tries.
One of the best efforts was created by the pack, and deservedly scored by Oscar V,when a driving maul was set up from a lineout after another great throw by Ryan L. The pack drove fifteen metres and sucked in Withams defenders until Oscar peeled off on the blindside to run in a relatively easy score,showing that practice pays off!
There were several good carries from the forwards with James M, Beesea D and Oliver C leading to a second and third try for Callum B and for Will B who had another great game leading the pack. Callum M played well in his first outing at scrum half until he was replaced by Oscar V in the second half.
In the meantime Witham had also excited the home crowd by producing two further tries as Braintree again struggled to hold their strong running back row. Braintree were also guilty of trying to play rugby deep in their own 22, rather than clearing their lines with the boot.
Ewan O capped a fine midfield performance in Attack and defence with a deserved try. He also managed 6 conversions in the game. Jacob S also produced another fine performance, the best of which was an arcing outside run from just inside the Witham half, after he picked the ball up having been first to a breakdown. He touched down under the posts.
This may have been not quite as good a performance as last week for Braintree the first phase defence led by the capable midfield of Fin H, Ewan O and Harrison J, and in the second half Josh K was very reliable,but in later phases of play,Braintree at times failed to align their defence well,but there were excellent defensive performances from Tommy B and Tom W and from James M and Jamie G all of whom put in great tackles on Withams dangerous ball carriers. Jack S made some really effective close in carries using his strength to retain the ball,which set up at least one of Braintree’s tries.
Perhaps the best score however was the last. Fin H who had conducted play well from fly half all game,saw space, and made a break down the left beating a number of defenders for pace, he then got an off load away in the tackle to Harrison J who, as always,was there in support. He took the ball at pace, offloading as he was tackled to Jay W, who capped a noteable return from several weeks injury by beating the remaining defence to score under the posts.
Overall, Braintree gave another great team performance, looking very effective against a very good Witham team.
Tries; Callum B (3) Ewan O,Fin D,Jacob S,Jay W,Oscar V, Will B
Cons ;Ewan O(6)

Report by AT 01/12/19