Braintree Rugby Club joint coach Brian Joslin has said his team’s London League division two north east survival bid must kick-start with a win against Basildon at Robbs Wood tomorrow.

The Black and Ambers’ hopes for a change of fortune in 2015 were left in tatters as league leaders Chelmsford inflicted a 13th straight defeat on their hapless county rivals with a 56-0 victory.

Only the most fanatically deluded Braintree follower would have given Braintree the merest glimmer of hope for a derby day shock, but Joslin feels they can move on positively with a good display against Basildon.

Joslin said: “This was always going to be a tough encounter for us – Chelmsford had won ten out of 12 and we’d lost every one of our games.

“We lost heavily but I cannot fault the effort of the 18 lads who took to the pitch.

“They defended doggedly throughout and gave their all, as they always do.

“Chelmsford look destined to go up and they deserve it.

"Good luck to them.

“As for us, we can still avoid the drop, but we need to start winning now.

“Our season starts from the next game.”